Like Brent, my first lust for Cobra's began in HS. Although, when I was in high school, Brent wasn't even a twinkle in his daddy's eye yet!
The Cobra was then a current production car (you know, the REAL ones...........oh never mind!)
The first one I saw was at the Times Grand Prix. The second passed me while doing the twisties on Coldwater Canyon one night! Given I was in So. Cal at the time I would even go by the airport and look at the lot full outside the factory.
Years passed, life got in the way, other car interests took prescendence. Got real warm for an Arntz in the mid '70's (still have a brochure someplace). Then a Butler in the early '80's, even toured the shop in Goleta. Finally after selling three of my toy cars one winter a few years ago I got serious, and here we are. Having gotten bit by the the original slabside first would probably explain my preference for the 289 style cars.