I am doing something very similar with mine, except that as I am using the rear end from another car, I can overlap the panels. I also don't care too much for carb access, as my engine is already tuned and will be moving to FI eventually.
I just thought, as you probobly did, if I am going to bother making a removable apron, then I might as well cut the whole lot off...
More details to follow on
fastbug.net
Chris