63 Dodge Dart, now let me see;)

Neil, I like your idea!! On my triumph tr6 ,for the trans tunnel, I welded in 1/4 weldable nuts, nutserts sounds easier;) Do you buy those as a kit, like rivets?
They are called Riv-nuts.
You can install them using a bolt and washers. No need to use the expensive tool.

McMaster-Carr