Turbo63 --
I had a client drive me in his 289 Shelby Cobra a few years ago with the top down. The experience of the V-8 and the open air was really impressive (and more than slightly scary since we were on some pretty high altitude logging roads in Oregon. That drive inspired me to find a modern day version of the convertible Cobra. After doing some research, I came to the conclusion that the 2003+ Dodge Viper convertible is in fact the closest if not the only modern day analog to the 427 Cobra: (1) front-mounted, big block engine (V-10 not a V-8 but close enough), (2) a true convertible top for open air driving and (3) a simple, relatively pure approach to performance, i.e., big engine, wide tires, large brakes, true manual tranny, stiff chassis and good handling characteristics without the electronic driving aids that are becoming so commonplace on high end sports cars and sedans (SMG, DSC, PSM, "active handling", etc.)
In short, the convertible was really the only option for me.
/Rich