[Excaliber]

Didn't used to be that way. FFR was without question the low cost leader in the kit car market. The basic business plan, donor car and used parts, addressed a segment of the market other manufacturers could not hope to reach at the low price.

With the widely accepted attitude that "modern is better", a basic FFR premise, the typical standard of building closer to original specs was down played. You didn't HAVE to go with an FE, top loader, correct wheels, closer to original body shape/look, you could do it for far less money if you didn't.

Today many manufacturers have followed the FFR theme, modern is better, and cheaper. The replica Cobra hobby today is considerably diluted from what it was, it is way more homogenous now. In short, "anything goes", there are few "standards" left. The lower cost of competing kits has opened the market up to considerably more people than it did before.

It's not unlike if Ferrari or Lambo suddenly came out with a low cost entry level car using readily available parts and reaching a considerably higher number of the population. Suddenly the exclusivity is in jeopardy, the cost attractive. Not everyone would be embracing that, but the manufacturers are smiling all the way to the bank...