Die Frontesttrunk.

 Will attempt to open as few fronts as possible so will renew the battle with only the front front, that is, the compartment forward of the front trunk, at the very front,  the frontestmost, where the rad and spare tire and various other bits reside.  Because the car (Which needs a name) has suffered at the hands of prior owners, it is not clear that any of the holes correspond to the correct location of anything, if in fact they located anything at all.  I will not be seeking perfect originality as I will use readily available, modern parts where I can while keeping things original in concept and layout.    

   

For sure, this space will include:

• My newly-ordered Chinese aluminum rad and fan.   
• Brake fluid reservoir (Which one?  I have an original.)
• Fresh air blower.   
• If memory serves, 1871 had the original 3 legged blower.  I recall tossing a rusty one with broken fan blades years ago, and the mounting location shows only three holes drilled.   
• I note in the manual that type 65 federal mentions an upgraded unit for North America (along with sealing the plenum).   This is likely the bulky squirrel cage type in the pics below.   
• I will see if I can somehow standardize on the same modern, compact bladed fan for both the rad and the fresh air blower.     
• Any relays, possibly the fuse box.  
• I was surprised (but not) how few relays were used originally, according to the schematic I have .   You can see from the pics below that owners have addressed this in a variety of ways.  
• Amazon has some elegant, inexpensive automotive fuse and relay boxes, aimed at the tuner or off road market.  This is tempting indeed but tempts recreation of a wiring harness as well.   Perhaps that's a good idea regardless.
• Need to determine the number of relays and fuses required in the "future" configuration.
• spare tire & jack  
• the existing stud/bobbin is corroded beyond redemption, I don't have a spare tire or original jack.   
• It probably makes to retain the spare tire location, and replace the stud, stow jumper cables and tools inside the wheel then make a tire cover to protect the lot from moisture/etc coming through the grill opening.  
• Horns.  
• I have some.   I assume a relay would be a good idea.
• Routing of wiring harness.  It would be cool to integrate mounting points. (...will probably make a new harness)
• grill over the opening.  
• Washer fluid reservoir.
• I have the original.   Again, amazon offers some universal ones with integrated pumps that may tempt.
• Cover for the steering gear/front of chassis.
• 54/1871 never had one, you can see it in place in the first photo below.
• need to get a dwaring or example for reference.   Make one in Fiberglass?

Here are some reference photos of this area in other cars.  

Below:  Note cover at aft end, washer fluid bag, type 65 blower.   Is that a boosted brake reservoir?  Air horns and flares!

Note prop rod, type 65 fan as above

Below:  note prop rod, screen on stock type 54 fan. owner shrouded the rad, and felt it necessary to reinforce the bulkhead where it appears dual circuit brake reservoirs were mounted.  Stock type 54 fan.

Below: Note Type 65 fan in non stock (?) location, odd reservoir, and relays, wiring mods.

Below:  These restored 54/65 examples look to be stock or very close to it.

Note brake reservoirs, generic washer fluid bottle and its location, stock fresh air blower and rad.  

Below:  Note cover at aft end, washer fluid bag, type 65 blower.   Is that a boosted brake reservoir?  Air horns and flares!

Owner mods, self explanatory.

Below:  new, larger replacement fan has its motor on the opposite side of its housing vs the normal 65 type and is mounted closer to centreline.      Alteration of bulkhead is not evident in this photo.  Note reservoir.