Evan, no doubt about it, ERA is cloning the shape of the original Cobra; that is the nature of the replica business itself- make a product that looks like something else, but it isn't. Because ERA just happens to make a product that looks very much like an original, doesn't mean they're trying to pass it off as a Shelby Cobra, however. They just happen to be good at what they do.
Your point all along is what separates the CSX from other replicas (and I believe you have agreed that the CSX is a replica) is that it is the only replica with right to be called a Shelby Cobra, after all, w/o the CSX designation it would just be another replica, like ERA or SPF or FFR or . . .
By your rationale every replica manufacturer must trying to pass off their cars as Shelby Cobras. Or is ERA the only one trying to pretend to be a Cobra because ERA has got the body shape right? What about other replicas that don't capture the shape of the original as well as ERA or cars with strectched foot boxes or longer wheel bases? Are they just "sort of" pretending to be Shelby Cobras because they don't capture the original shape exactly? What if they decided to change their bodies to exactly mirror the shape of the original and made them more like ERA's? Would they then be "more guilty" of trying to be Shelby Cobras?
As you said, it is the right to sell it legally that counts. ERA (and every other replica manufacturer) does not have the right to call its products Cobras and has not done so. It is unfair to suggest that they hold themselves out as a Shelby Cobra- an excellent visual replica of a Shelby Cobras yes- but a Shelby Cobra, no.
And to answer your question, ERA's not making replica Edsels b/c they're butt ugly (sorry to the Edsel fans out there) and there's no market for them. And ERA is not making or pretending to make Shelby Cobras either.
Let me know if you are still confused
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