Lets say its 1971, and I wanted to build a 360...

Wow those are some sweet pics!

I wasn't sure if this style was what you had in mind when you said you wanted to build a period gasser. I think it's a cool idea that is rarely done. I think you could pull some ideas off of some of those cars. Each of those cars had a distinctive personality before they were modified and their builders turned them into unique 60s - 70s icons.