Looking to buy my first Cobra 427 S/C in Oz

[CobraAddict]

G'Day All

I have just started posting on this site a few days ago and now have discovered this local forum for us guys down under. Great!?
I have long been a lover of the AC Cobra 427 and over the years I have owned many various sports cars (even a Bolwell Nagari at one time of which I'm sure you guys have heard of) mostly Alfa's and over the last 10 years now Ferrari's my current car being a 2004 360 Spider (Manual) which I love dearly.

But I have never faltered in my passion for a really good 'authentic' 427 copy (is that an oxymoron?) and now that I am an old grumpy man with a bit of money for toys I'm looking to add a sibling to my Ferrari (they should get on famously right) Just found this site and have joined up confident that I will learn much from the local natives on their home grown product

The big problem in Oz is twofold. Getting a good one (there is allot of real kit car quality crap out here) and getting one that is as authentic as possible in its looks, sound and feel. There are many great brands out there vying for my money such as Superformance, Backdraft, EBA, Factory Five, DAX, Robnell and even some good local Oz brands such as Absolute Pace and their Pace 427 which has a truly inspiring chassis, a sight to behold, but not what I am looking for!?
I want to have a car with the look and feel of an original 427 as much as possible and not necessarily paying $USD 250,000 for the privilege. We have an agent here in Melbourne for Superformance who are the only licensed manufacturer outside of Shelby themselves who seem to have a good authentic body with accurate dimensions and a good solid chassis under it using typically a selection of Rousch engines.

I would love to import a car from the US but this opens up a minefield of shipping costs and compliance issues. I also see that Shelby themselves have the CSX6000 continuation cars but I don’t think they are available in Oz and have no idea on price for them.

So from this vast pool of knowledge what would you guys consider if you were in my shoes what would you buy. Remember I don’t want a 1000 HP supercharged mammoth fire breathing monster, I am looking for authenticity in looks, feel and even sound for a 427 right down to the 15" Good Year Eagle Billboard tyres which I think are an amazing look. 500 to 600 HP will be more than enough

I have many questions....

I'm based in Melbourne and so far Superformance is an obvious contender for me. Generally speaking, in terms of a more affordable glass bodied copy, I'm confident I can get the body trim, wheels/tyres, interior etc. looking pretty authentic to a 65/66 427 AC but I have some questions about the following;

Colour

I love the royal blue and indigo blue however again I want to be period correct. What were the official blue's used on the 427s at the time? What was the most popular? Can you still get the same colour?

Engine

Of course a key element and where possible I want to try to stay true to the marque. Fair to say I can't get a genuine small block 427 FE side oiler nowadays however there seems to be a plethora of suppliers offering 'crate engines' said to be built to original 60's style. Short of buying a 'continuation car' from Shelby with its Shelby motor Roush seems to come up as the best option (please correct me if wrong). I am aware of the Shelby ALUMINUM 427 FE; 468CID (550HP) but it an all-aluminium motor (not period) and rather pricy! Any suggestion for a good engine, a good copy/alternative to a 427 FE Side Oiler ?

Transmission

All I know is they used a 4 speed top loader and that everyone seems to like Tremec boxes. Is that true and what model would be best? Again happy to stay true to 4 speed however I belive the 5 speed tremec is the best choice nowadays. What are your thoughts on transmissions?

Differential

The original car used a Salisbury 4HU differential and rear axle and as far as I can see you can still get them relatively easily. So I guess my thoughts are on that for now! Your thoughts?

Brakes/Suspension

Unless I'm prepared to pay big $$ for a continuation car I have to be realistic in terms of my bid for 'authenticity'. I'm not so fussed with this part as I accept it has to be of a modern standard however not looking for 6 pot Brembo with machined/drilled ventilated discs or carbon fibre for that matter ! Again Superformance seem to have a good solid chassis and brakes/suspension offering as standard. What do you think?
I appreciate your taking the time to give me some of your learned thoughts

Best Regs from Oz
Andrew