[QUOTE=C9x]Since there are so many ways to go and tricks to do with roadsters - and coupes and sedans - I thought this may be a good way to go.

Might consider this as the beginning of the Roadster Tip forum ???

I found that using a conduit hickey I could easily bend the 1" round tubing that I used for my bulkhead - square tubing is difficult to form without kinking though I did use 1/2" squares on my prototype and as yet unused hard top. I then tied it to the body supports under the panel between the trunk lid and the passenger compt riser then tied it to the sides and to the floor/body frame channels. It really makes the body solid. Since most of the rivets were not bucked properly, most everything on the body was welded - and again, it tightened everthing up. I will be rebucking the rivets at the bottom of the firewall shortly - though did consider and still may, grind 'em flat and weld them as well.

I will not have room for a spare in any shape or form - though in my case expect to build a small trailer. An expensive error in judgement that left me with 2 extra 15x8 Billet Specialties wheels and some 'Z' rated Yokohama tires will at least allow me to have it match the car - also have an extra pair of Pontiac style taillights. Now all that is needed is a couple of hundred dollars of steel, and a couple of weekends. I have the bucks, but no time though with the car paint still outstanding.

Your plan for a gas tank sounds good though not feasible for a '31/'31 frame. With a '31 roadster you either have it in the trunk (NEVER for me), Tanks Inc splash shield units, original cowl (again, NEVER for me) or do the '32 style with the significant amount of necessary work to the 'A' rear frame. Your 14 gallons is only about a gallon less than an aftermarket '32 (there is a 17 gallon version but it compromises ground clearance by about 2 more inches).
Believe it or not, there are empty spaces in Upstate NY where gas stations are few and far between. One of the largest counties in NY has only about 5300 residents, or less than 3/mile, so gas stations are at a minimum and it is expensive.

Went to Burlington VT for the NSRA NE SR Nationals. Crappy weather, but still managed to draw about 1300 cars. Lots of Canadians - with really nice rides. With their tax structure and import regulations don't know how they do it.