[Jim Norris]

I'm not an avid Cobra entusiast or historian. I just like 'em.
I think I understand in a simplistic way...maybe.
The CSX 4000 and 6000 cars are considered "real" shelby cobras because the chassis' are built under the direction of, and given the name "cobra" by, the Shelby company, the company that owns and has always owned the name "shelby cobra". They are not "original cobras" but they are "real cobras" for that reason. It's as if Ford were to authorize the production of, and offer for sale, a car that looks exactly like the '56 T bird and call it a Ford T bird. It would be a "real" Ford T bird, but not an original '56 Ford T bird. Any other maker of a car that looks like a 56 Ford T bird could not call his car a "real" Ford T bird. Those cars would be niether "real" nor original.
Likewise, cobra look-a-likes that are not CSX cars are neither "real," in that sense of the word, nor original. That's ok with me. That's the truth.
Most people on the street when they ask me "is it real?" are probably really asking: "is it original?" Of course, the answer from me is no. I suppose though, that a CXS 4000 owner could conceivably say "yes" but it would probably be disingenuous to not follow up with, "but it's not an original, if that's what you meant".