Seems to me if you don't care about "numbers" then why worry about original sheet metal? I can show you pics of my original sheet metal ... and it ain't pretty !!
I'm sure that the intention was original sheet metal in good condition and not rusted away.
That made me think of a 70 Barracuda Convertible that a buddy bought years ago.
The guy selling it told him it was "rust free", yeah it was but only because he had cut out all the rust but didn't replace anything that he cut out at all.
Massive sections of the quarters and fenders with metal cut out.
Technically, yes it was rust free.
I'd rather have solid original sheet metal than being worried about a numbers matching engine.
