Cobra's imported in late 90's & early 2000's registered as 65 models

[CobraAddict]

G'Day Guys

I believe there were a number of Cobra 427's from Superformance, Kirkham and I think Contemporary (maybe ERA as well not sure) that were imported into Australia in the late 90's and early 2000's and actually registered as 65 model cars on their compliance plates due to the relaxed import and engineering regulations of the day which as we all know have long since been dramatically tightened up.

They have a VIN number given to them and stamped on the chassis and are subsequently registered in the NEVDIS (National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System) database as 1965 cars. As a result they only need to comply to equivalent 60's specifications and emissions controls. This means that they can quite legally run naturally aspirated engines, connected side pipes, no head rests etc etc on Australian roads.
Today you can you can no longer import a car like this nor build a car like this anymore as they must comply to the much stricter 2024 regulations (unless the car is a pre 1989 build).

Now I am told that if the have a VIN number allocated and stamped on their chassis and they are registered in the NEVDIS database that this is therefore 'set in stone' making these cars, I would imagine highly sought after, given they can be legally very authentic copies of the originals. More so than what is possible today.

Is this correct? I have heard of horror stories of one such Kirkham that was forced to get its engineering certificate 'redone' as it was argued that is was still not actually built in 65 EVEN though it was registered as a 65 as described above.

Has anyone had any experience with this and if your comments would be welcome.

Thanks !