madmaxx does make a valid point, concerning any number of 'home built' project cars that you could stumble across looking for a used replica.
So what is one to do? Well, shop carefully! There are some really well built replicas out there that EXCEED the quality of BDR or SPF 'assembly line' cars! Factory built cars are great for the 'masses', little risk, good price, known quality, heck it's almost a 'no brainer', and that bothers me...
I want a Cobra thats, well, 'different'. As in, more accurate to original specs. With each passing day there are few of us left with such a passion. The 'assembly line' cars virtually dominate the market these days. The constant drum beat of how good this or that small block Roush whatever blah blah blah, yeah, thats terrific, OK then, go get one! The standards of what it means to build an accurate to detail replica Cobra are rapidly loosing steam...
I went looking for a used ERA for one simple reason:
The probabilty of actually finding a 427/428 with top loader and English inspired IRS accompanied by a really well done accurate to detail body was signifcantly greater than most other brands! I also looked for a used Hi Tech, an OLDER one. I considered Contemporary as well. I did breifly consider FFR as the price can be VERY attractive indeed and there are some NICE ones out there! I just couldn't get around that 'perky butt' thing myself. I see some FFR owners have actually modified the body to address that issue (lowering the rear end) and man it looks great!
Older replicas are MUCH more likely to be 'accurate' than most modern replicas.
Older cars, like older workers, not a bad choice!
You won't find many 'side oilers' in todays replicas in the 'low to medium cost' arena! You want to get closer to the 'real deal' you gotta kick it up a notch, build it yourself, have it built for you or shop carefully for a used one. There is ALWAYS compromises to be made, cost benefit analysis is a very personal decision as to what you finally settle for. Most are 'good', some are terrible! I'll pass on a VW or Honda powered replica Cobra. I could live with a small block, if you twisted my arm hard enough. Better something than nothing I guess...
A 'round tube' frame does not an accurate replica make, it takes far more than that!