A few thoughts for 'The Cynical One'---
My first new car was a '64 Custom with a 427, and my second new car was a '65 1/2 Mustang 'K' fastback. I tell you that to say I was there when the '60s cars were new.
Before I'd gone 25 miles in the Custom, I'd wrecked the palm on my right hand due to the sharp knurling around the circumference of the factory shift knob. I took a file to the knurl, and went to Gratiot Auto and bought a replacement Hurst shifter as soon as I got paid the next Friday. I've never regretted it. The factory shift handle was probably about as thick as my index finger, and a solid shift caused a perceptible flex in it. The feel of the Hurst was infinitely better.
I never worried about making changes to my car to make it work better for me. I did pay attention to anything that'd detract from its value at trade-in time, so I mounted the tach, a Sun Super, on the corner of the speaker grille. When I replaced the grille, the holes under the lip weren't visible so everything was alright. That's the way I did most of the 'improvements'. Unless your goal is a 'Display Queen', where you might lose 'points' for replacements, such changes as a Hurst Shifter won't make any difference. And the solidity of the Hurst will increase your enjoyment as you drive the car.
KS