Don's Willys is a fantastic car, and meet's all his groups rules. I've looked at the rules his group runs, and like many they have made rules that attempt to maintain the integrity of the group, but occasionally omit even a original car. They have one rule about the bottom of the body being above the front spindle. I like that look, as it encourages straight axle cars, but there were thousands of original gassers that didn't have a straight axle, and would not be allowed.
Don's done a fantastic job making his Willys appear period, but it also is a complete fiberglass body, so wouldn't have been allowed back in the day. Might be a full box tube chassis if I remember correctly also. Neither of those things bother me, as long as ALL the rules are open enough to similarly allow some modern changes also. I just have a hard time accepting rules that are set up to retain a period theme, but mix and match what's acceptable. I'd almost rather see a group with two sets of rules, and two classes for them. One set like they have now, and another set that mimics one of the 60's NHRA rule books.
What I'd hate to see is the resurgence of nostalgia racing today hurt by these groups splintering and all failing. I've seen some cases where groups were very upset because they thought the rules weren't properly designed, or enforced, and refused to even race after a long haul to get there. That tells me they're more concerned with winning and prize money, than having fun. Only ones who lose when that happens is the fans who paid to see the m run, and got cheated by someone's stubbornness or ego. I've been to events with a year cutoff, and seen cars I knew were newer running. Never said a word, as I really don't care if they were, or if they beat me. The events were for fun and no trophies or payout, so whether someone was too new shouldn't affect how much fun I have. If I sat it out after a long haul, I'd be the one who was unhappy, and the paying crowd would see one less car run.