It is fine to restore to original stock. I do like original. My idea of original is the body and most of the interior. I don't see fighting a bunch of outdated unreliable systems and wiring and safety issues. As you said the battery is hidden under the floor boards. The hood closes also.
I salute your sticktoitiveness to originality. You have chosen your level of "original" with conversion to 12V. I go a little further.
