When SAI quit building "Cobras" in '67 there were no others built. Period. End of story. Everything else built in the last 35 years is a "replica" of the original---be it Shelby, Kirkham, ERA, B&B, Butler, SPF and on and on.
One can be as original "detail" oriented whether they own a "tin can" or a glass car--all depends upon how much detail and dollars one wants to invest in the project.
To the average guy on the street--IT IS A COBRA!!!!!!! Some cars look better than the others--some are more "original detailed".
To all the "nit-pickers" that know Cobras, it's not . No matter how much care and detail you have--someone will find a fault with the car here.
Amazing thing is the same guys that run Shelby BB's that poo-poo the other guys with 427SC's replicas as not being "correct" need to pull all the MSD stuff off their engines, as well as the ceramic coated headers and side pipes. Oh yeah dump the Wilwoods and put on Girlings, get rid of the 8.8 or Jag diff setup, the Optima batteries, don't put on any tire that isn't the original Goodyear, dump the 10" rear wheels and the 8" front, use 8.5" rears and 7" fronts, get rid of the Koni's or Carerras.
That ain't "original". Strip the interior, no carpet, no heater, no radio, unless it is a street version--very few were delivered in race trim to customers-most had overriders and bumpers not quick jacks, unless speciified by the buyer, and a radio was a AM unit w/ 2 speakers, if available. That ain't "original"
Face it unless you have multi-bucks$$$ you aren't driving a real Cobra.
Why do some persist in putting down everyone elses car--because it's not Shelby, it's glass instead of aluminium, it has a SB instead of a BB?
I've said it before I'll say it again--
Who really cares?--to the guy on the street it is a "COBRA" you're driving it--they are oogling it. Enjoy it. Fake that it is.
After all most of us if we are true to ourselves have to admit the cars we drive are unique--a hot rod clothed in a Cobra body.
Take this any way you want--a "grain of Salt" helps
