Well I'm a stick-man.
But in this case I think this bird can really benefit from a torque convertor.It will give it a little snap off the line, that a stick just can't duplicate, I mean with the same rear gears. And IMHO,that A/T would make it a real sweet cruiser. Ima thinkin a loc-up 904 with a slightly loose TC.
Oh boy..... I guess,that would be my dream