A lot of people understand that they are not originals. They're still cool.
I do have a problem with the whole "replica" deal. In my mind there's a difference between a "kit car" and a replica. A "replica" is designed to "replicate." This is where I struggle with the ones that say, "Well Shelby thought about using a Chevrolet engine, so I'm going to use a SBC." Well, he *may* have thought about putting curb feelers on the first one too, but he didn't. He also *may* have turned to a buddy in jest and said, "Let's put a straight 8 Olds engine in it.
" But he didn't.
The whole "Is it real" argument is really easy to sum up if you just take a step back and look at the forest.