I believe this question is one of those situations that there are no easy answers. It depends on the situation for the specific car. I have a very similar mechanical linkage like Larry's. It is a very simple set-up that works well in this situation. Years ago they did not make linkages with ball ends that allows you to do things that you can today. I did it not for originality or looks becasue it didn't apply in my case. I did it because the radical angles and loops reguired to get the cable to the carb was a real negative. Yes, many do it with my brand of car but many have complained of problems. In this case, if a motor mount broke, the engine could not tillt further than the exhaust raising and hitting the body would allow. In this case Larry's linkage is just about a one to one ratio, but some are not that way.
In general terms, not specific to Cobras, I would say "no question" that cables have a lot of advantages. If you are not talking originality or design for looks and the cable works fine, keep it. If, on the other hand, you have had problems with the cable and mechanical linkage is the solution, then convert over. We in the US are too sensitive to originality and trying to pretend better than others. We are still little boys just grown up playing games and having fun.
