[SSS]

"Would the Cobra have the same following it enjoys today if replica makers had not begun to produce them?"

NO. If it were not possible to own a Cobra myself, I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about them. Just like I don't spend much time thinking about dozens of other cool cars from the past.

"If the popularity, in whatever portions, is attributable to the unique combination of a great original car, broad replication and the economy of scale that permits, are the replica makers just as vital to the success of Cobras as CS?"

Depends on the context. The replicas have nothing to do with the racing success of the originals. The replicas have everything to do with the Cobra being more popular today than it was originally. If you see a Cobra, chances are it's a replica. What else do you need to know?

"Would CS have begun to produce Cobras again if it were not for the replica makers?"

NO. Even if CS starts building replica Mustangs and GT40s, the market has been established by Cobra replicas.