[twobjshelbys]

A small body 289 car will be much more streetable than a 427. The 427 wants to run at a higher RPM and always felt like it wanted to have the cobwebs blown out. In most town driving I kept the RPMs higher and the engine happier by staying in 3rd or 4th when speeds allowed. 5th (a TKO600) was reserved for cruising on the freeway.

Your choice of slabside or FIA is based on body style preference.

Re: 3.Is there a preferred manufacturer for someone who is not looking to tinker with?

Well, if that is a criteria look for something like a Corvette. If you're looking for something that you drive on weekends and put away and never look at until your next drive for 5000 miles at a crack, look elsewhere. There's no such thing as a tinker proof Cobra.