[richsd]

Well to determine if it is needed or not you need to define the purpose of your car. To me, the purpose is to build a car that is as close to the original as possible. If this is your purpose then I would recommend comparing the oringal car to the Kirkham roller and then selecting the options that align with the original and not selecting the options that do not align with the original. You would then also need to deselect many of the standard Kirkham items since they are not as original such as gauges. Of course if your purpose is something other than a quest for originality then you will have a different answer to the question. Bottom line, what is the purpose? Originality, function, budget, speed, some combination? You are the only one who knows this and without understanding the thinking behind your plan we really can't guide you to the right options. I think the understanding was that you were looking for recommendations since you could not afford all of them. Whether I could afford all of them or not I chose to go without many of them. No reason to get a polished body if my purpose was originality.

Best of luck with the build. It sounds like you are more than prepared to build the car. Since you are equiped to do the build yourself maybe you can do the sidepipe cutouts yourself and get it done properly.