Pgingl,
Look at ALL of them, the more you see the more you will recognize what is important in each one to what YOU want. It is different for everyone.
The high end is mostly:
Shelby - has the Shelby name, and is available in an aluminum body - at a premium price.
Kirkham - very authentic, also in aluminum - IMHO a reasonable price.
ERA - one of the oldest manufacturers, great attention to detail, in glass.
Superformance - great quality, glass, turn-key only, through a dealer.
JBL, B&B, MidStates, Shell Valley, Backdraft, FFR also are fine choices. In fact, each are depending what you are looking for.
Building one will save you 5-10K, BUT you may have some trouble with insurance. More and more the insurance companies appear to be discouraging self built vs. turn-key replicas.
How close a manufacturer is to you worthy of consideration, as is how long they have been making them. Visit the manufacturer if you can. Drive one first as well - they are not for everyone. You either get out of it and say "I banged my knee on the dash and the pedals are in a funny place" or you start drooling.
Many states/counties also have mileage restrictions to stay under the emmisions radar. 5K miles/year in PA for example. Others, like CA and some GA counties can be downright onerous.
Many states require them to be titled as "Specially Constructed". Be cautious of title services that allow to register the vehicle as a 1966 model - some of these title services are in legal trouble and their owners may be forced at some point to retitle.
Enjoy the journey of selection - it is the third best part. The second best part is walking into the garage, turning the key, hearing that Ford V8 spark to life and howl through the gears. As Dave Radtke one said - "You will never get out of one without turning back to look at it."
The best part is the people you meet - each with the same insatiable passion for a 40 year old design that makes them feel something extraordinary.
Just make sure it's a small block.
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