Sounds to me like a "solution in need of a problem."
I'm in my 70's and it is a lot easier to service the battery in the floor of my 54 than on the firewall of the 56.
It is a lot easier for me to pick up the battery from the floor than leaning over the fender removing one from the firewall.
I probably qualify as a young 'un on this site at 42, and I agree with you, comparing my experience with my '50 versus my buddy's '58 (and my '13 for that matter).
Funny how many hot rod and custom builders have taken steps to hide batteries (and brake master cylinders), while AD/ND trucks come with them already tucked away cleanly, and guys go through great pains to move them back out into the open.
