I have an early 8-3/4, need info on

Thanks. So anyone know anything about it? Is the pumpkin able to be used in a different housing? Would it be worth doing so? I have heard about the 741, 642, 489 thing..... Where would this one rank?
If I had to guess I'd say that it may have been set up for a street rod, dirt oval race, something like that.
Who would be able to use it as it sits? What application?