I agree, shakers look cool until you lift the hood. 
Nothing like the unobsructed view of a clean engine.
Ya know, I have the same mixed reaction to the shaker on my Chall. When you get it all set up finally and look out at that bad boy when going down the road, nothing beats the shaker. But the underhood view of the hemi is compromised to say the least, and in a couple of shows where I've finished behind cars without the detailing and finish mine has, I've always wondered if the shaker hiding so much was what hindered it.
I even built the car to interchange hoods, I have a complete rallye hood setup that I put on the car first to get it running (my calendar photo submission). I added the shaker later after I gave up on finding an original steel hood for less $ than the national debt, and went with Dan Hegybeli's 'glass shaker hood, which is a pretty nice piece. Only those of us that have endured the hassle of setting up a shaker on a hemi conversion can appreciate what a pain this project is, especially with a different intake and carbs.
BTW, 70challrtse your Nash Bridges mobile is sweet. I like your underhood detailing. I'm going to a 956 radiator next to improve the stock look of mine.
