[eschaider]

OP, you are attempting the very difficult, if not impossible.

In the US, builders have a continual tug-of-war between the period-correct look and the cost of producing it. You are wrestling with a variation of that contest. In the end, what is going to be most important to you is the ownership of a quality Cobra replica that you can enjoy and drive as a premier attitude adjustment tool when everything else that week went wrong.

If you get stuck in the 'high end, period correct' contest space you could end up spending your entire budget, never completing the project. The next step (after it lays around for a while) is selling the car at a discount that frequently is as much as 50%, possibly more, below what you spent to get to that point.

Build the best Cobra you can with the best components you can afford. Forget about period correctness. Focus on a sound build, vehicle reliability, safety, and, of course, looking like a Cobra. You will be much happier, have more money to spend on other things, and not find yourself in a pit of frustration and depression.

Did I mention you will also now own a very nice replica that will give you years of satisfaction, premier attitude adjustment capabilities, and mental health ...