Joe, if you'd like to see some of the local Cobras and talk to at least three of us who are building Hurricane, Lone Star, and ERA kits, we'll be glad to meet you. It's a bit early this time due to the seasonal heat .. 7:30 meet, 8:00 sit down at the IHOP at 190 and Old Denton Dr. See the thread:
September 1st Breakfast Meeting
You will also see at least a half dozen completed cars .. likely SPF, Hurricane, Lone Star, Classic Roadsters, Kirkham, and the occasional GT500 and Ford GT.
Regarding TX emissions, you have possibly read the recent thread in the Texas Forum .. but at this moment, none of us who have kits in work are concerned about this. There is a sequence of steps to follow that will lead you to a "safety only" inspection if your car replicates a >24 year old model.
Sam