I find that when asked "Is it real?" most folks are disappointed to just hear that my car is a replica, so instead I just say "No, I built it myself..." that seems to convert disappointment to fascination.
If asked about the bad mileage I just respond "Yeah, but the FUN factor is through the roof!!"...they understand right away what I mean and start drooling over the experience we have.
I have a 533 BB in my beastie and had custom side emblems made with the same number on them, yet folks still stop to ask what the displacement is lol
(maybe they know the emblem isn't always indicative).
If asked what kind of car it is I know I'm dealing with someone who's unfamiliar with the classics so I just say it's a replica of the 1960's Cobra and they get to nod as if they knew what I was talking about.
Sure is true, gas stops can be 20 minute affairs before everyone's questions are answered, but that's still fun for me....travelling in Arizona last year, my son and I took a photo of the crowd gathered around with their cameras taking pictures of us as we took off - what a hoot the entire experience is!!
One lucky Cobra owner,
Dirk