Ned: Thats not according to my line of thinking, that was according to the dictionary definition you used. Now you don't want to use it?
What does "years later mean"? You say 1997. But after 1962 why can't we say those Cobras made years later in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 are replicas of the originals made in 1962 (CSX2000) and the first 3000 series?
Fact is the definitional use of "replica" is really not applicable here. We know what the average Joe means when he asks is it a "replica" and its not "Gee is that the same car made by the same manufacturer but after the original one"?
As I noted above SAAC spells it all out. The rest is just semantics.
One thing for sure...if its not a Shelby its NOT a Cobra but a car that looks like a Cobra. End game. (Limited exceptions as to some ACs).