And it would not be the first time someone replaced the Kirkham serial number on the frame. Here is a thread where the Kirkham number on the frame was replaced with the number "LAC 017". Apparently the first owner of the car in Europe did something interesting to get it registered there.
http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/all-cobra-talk/131200-replica-real-help-request-switzerland-italy-2.html"]
Replica or real? [help request from Switzerland and Italy][/url]
Interestingly the person who started that thread, edited all of his posts to remove all of the content and the pictures. Maybe he did not want to get in trouble with European law enforcement.