[Roadsters] Slicing up a transmission Tunnel - Reasons?

[Dan Zubkoff]

Alvin,
   
  Thanks for posting the pictures from the Shasta Meet this year. 107 degrees in California for the meet. And to think, It was cooler in Texas at only 101 degrees.
   
  Checked out a 64 Fairlady 3-seater earlier today. Original running engine with its original 64 non-synchro transmission. Yet for some weird reason the transmission tunnel had been completely sliced open on both sides and on top of the tunnel by the shifter. 
   
  I can't understand why the transmission tunnel was hacked?
   
  Now the early spl310 transmission actually has a transfluid dipstick on the top of the transmission. If you are looking from the underside of a spl310, you won't find a plug-hole for filling the transmission. Could a previous owner have actually sliced the entire trans tunnel open, just to fill the transmssion?
   
  Any ideas why someong would destroy the trans tunnel, yet retain the stock engine/trans?
   
  Dan Zubkoff
  Houston, TX