Why does every thread here devolve into a "Real" vs. "Replica" argument?

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Buzz

If Shelby had continued Cobra production much beyond 1968, the cars would have evolved into something quite different from the originals, in order to meet changing federal standards. Quite likely, they would have morphed into something like the Series1 or the first generation Viper, which - like it or not - sort of fit with Shelby's vision of what a "modern day" Cobra would look like. They would have been called Shelby Cobras, but there would probably still be people wanting to build replicas of the original 60's cars.

Well, you likely are right. However, I was speaking hypothetically. Further, Shelby was known to have said he wanted to get out of the car business at that time because he did not want to compromise based on federal regulations. Very simply at some point we know he decided to in fact continue production of the Cobra as it was. What if he made the decision not to stop the 3000 series in 1968? His cars would have been "kits" at some point in order to circumvent federal regs.