[zipzip]

I would suggest that anything built after 1966 (was that the last year?...) would be a "replica" and therefor not "real", although I hate using that term. "Authentic" also has some negatives, but I think "original" might be the best. If you can see it, touch it, put gas in it, isn't it "real"?

As far as "kit" versus "manufactured", I would say that you go back to one of the ways the automakers are judged - by quantity. If SPF makes over, say, 500 TURNKEY cars in one year, it is a production car. If they supply a roller, and someone contracted by the end user puts in the guts, it is a "kit" in my opinion.

427 s/o is right on - just enjoy it and ignore the ignorant - they're just secretly jealous that you are in the best looking car ever made.

Don't people buy rollers, turnkeys, or a big bucket of parts for other reasons than to make it more "real"?