Homologation of AC Cobra Replicas in the United States

Why a Cobra that is legal in the USA is not necessarily legal in France?

In the United States, AC Cobra replicas are generally much more widely accepted from a legal standpoint.

This is due to a very different philosophy when it comes to vehicle homologation.

1️⃣ A federal system… but above all state-based

Unlike Europe, vehicle registration in the United States is handled primarily at the state level, not at the federal level.

👉 As a result:

• Rules vary from one state to another (California ≠ Texas ≠ Florida)

• There is no single nationwide procedure for replicas

2️⃣ The “Replica / Kit Car” category

In the USA, an AC Cobra replica is usually registered as:

• Replica

• Kit Car

• Specially Constructed Vehicle (SPCNS)

➡️ These categories officially exist, which changes everything.

3️⃣ The key point: the vehicle’s administrative year

This is THE fundamental difference compared to Europe.

In the United States, a replica can be:

• registered according to its year of construction

• or according to the year of the model being replicated (e.g. 1965)

👉 Example:

• A Cobra built in 2005 can legally be registered as a 1965 vehicle

➡️ Consequences:

• Emissions and safety standards from 1965

• No airbags

• No ABS

• No mandatory catalytic converter (depending on the state)

4️⃣ The emblematic case: California (SB100)

California is one of the strictest states… and paradoxically one of the clearest.

🏁 The SB100 program (Specially Constructed Vehicle Law)

• 500 vehicles per year

• Assignment of a “fictional” year (often from the 1960s)

• Emissions evaluated according to the chosen year

• Official, clearly defined procedure

➡️ An SB100 Cobra is fully legal in California.

5️⃣ Safety and technical inspections

Safety

• No airbag requirement

• Seat belts are usually sufficient

• Roll bar recommended but not always mandatory

Technical inspections

• No nationwide periodic vehicle inspection

• Checks often limited to initial registration

• Some states: no regular inspection at all

➡️ A Cobra can legally be driven without any annual inspection.

6️⃣ Insurance in the United States

Collector / specialty car insurance

Very well developed in the USA:

• Agreed value policies are common

• Leisure use

• Specialized insurers (Hagerty, Grundy, etc.)

➡️ A Cobra replica is perfectly insurable.

7️⃣ Why a Cobra that is legal in the USA may be refused in France

This is a critical point for importation.

Issue no. 1: no European type approval

• No CE approval

• No European compliance

Issue no. 2: different legal logic

• USA: declarative system

• France: technical conformity system

Issue no. 3: misunderstood documents

• American title stating “Replica 1965”

• Difficult interpretation by French authorities

➡️ A Cobra that is legal in the USA is not automatically legal in France.

8️⃣ Why many replicas still come from the United States

Despite these obstacles, the USA remains the main source of Cobra replicas.

Why?

• High build quality

• Respect for original proportions

• Legendary engines (Ford FE, small block)

• High-performance chassis

• Often lower cost than in Europe

➡️ This is why the FFVE plays a key role in France.

9️⃣ Difference in philosophy: USA vs France

                       United States                                      France

                 Individual freedom                           Collective safety

                Driver responsibility               Administrative responsibility

                 Technical tolerance                          Strict regulations

             Heritage-based approach                  Regulatory approach

Conclusion: should you be worried about a Cobra imported from the USA?

❌ No, if it is properly prepared

⚠️ Yes, if you assume that U.S. legality alone is sufficient

✔️ A Cobra replica is often easier to register in the USA than in Europe

✔️ France applies a completely different regulatory approach

✔️ The FFVE is the cornerstone of a successful import process

✔️ A well-documented American Cobra can become fully legal in France