I am not aware of any body or frame differences between the automatic and manual cars. All cars have the threaded holes on the left frame rail for the clutch linkage mounting, and all cars have the same size opening on the left side of the tunnel for the shifter/selector and all cars have a rubber plugged hole on the tunnel for Ford-O-Matic band adjustment.
I sure hope there is a very specific understanding between buyer and seller regarding the size and included features of this floor panel. Especially true if it is coming all the way from Florida.
You mentioned the financial aspect of this restoration vs buying a completed car. If you can see the financial futility this early in the game, it will only get worse.
Perhaps the purchase of Birdbrains' F-Bird would give you a whole lot more value, with something to tinker with (hunting the missing F parts) and having a far more valuable item in the end. We all have to recognize that the entry price for a good quality, not top show quality but nice authentic car is $30K. There is a lot of stuff out there for a lower purchase price, but you will have at least $30K in it by the time you have a nice, proper, complete car.
Tom D.
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