You are a better and more civilized man than I.
I'd have started hacking and butchering that car as soon as I had indoors.
That thing's crying for a tube axle and hacked fenders for a 12" cheater slick. Multi-carbed FE motor and fenderwell headers.
It wasn't an easy decision, I can tell you. I originally had planned on making it my drag car, but not the gasser type. I had plans of a tunnelram and cutout wheelwells, but with the car being so complete and original, and being in such good shape,
and with a healthy stash of NOS parts for it, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. There are better candidates out there for hacking and cutting one up. I also like my cruisers, so this will get some serious street miles on it.
I will admit though, it would look cool as a gasser.