bvega,
It is nice to have a pleasant exchange...
Neither one of us knows which is the strongest, stiffest, or "best" (whatever that means) of the new frames from Shelby, ERA, or SPF. This will remain a mystery until someone tests them for torsional rigidity, bending stiffness, etc.
The original Shelby Cobras had aluminum bodies, regardless of other vehicles Shelby was involved with. This is a personal thing, but aluminum is somehow more appealing to me. Just look at those bare aluminum cars -- they're gorgeous! Leaving aside for the moment the various aluminum vs. 'glass arguments from a practicality standpoint, aluminum is just appealing to me and it's the way the originals were built. So, I may well spend the extra money for it when the time comes. I may not.
I want a CSX car too, but for me, the CSX # only really matters if it's a 2000 or a 3000 series. That's just me, though I do understand those who want it in the new cars.
The slippery slope thing: there is a world of difference between a) an ERA that has virtually perfectly "authentic" aesthetics (even the front suspension "X" structure is replicated because it's visible under the hood), an FE engine, etc., but a different chassis from an original, and b) a Honda-powered anything!
I drink Coca-Cola because I like it better. If everything else were equal, I'd buy the original even it cost a little more, but I like Coke's taste the best. Similarly, in my ERA vs. CAV CSX debate, I'll buy the car I like better considering all the factors. The CSX # is one factor, but many others are more important to me.
BTW, just like the '60s AC (COB) "Cobra" cars are considered just
as genuine as the '60s CSX cars, I think the Kirkham cars are just as legitimate today as the new CSX cars. Kirkham is to Shelby as AC was to Shelby. COB:CSX = KMP:CSX.
Lots of luck with your car -- I'm sure you'll love it.
