I had a bunch of sports car's over the years, and just recently sold my A.H. 3000 after 15 years or so of ownership. TR-6, check. MGA, MGB, Jaguar, Bug Sprite, but my favorite was the GT-6, 2,000 cc. That engine eventually found it's way into my Triumph Spitfire 1500, with a bubble in the hood for clearance.
Getting a Cobra was nothing more than the continual pursuit of more power in an English sports car.