Dick, I'm a straight shooter.
[/b]
good as long as I don't become a target

A. 17.1.4.d.9.c. & the last part of 17.1.4.d.9.f. is what I understand the modifications allowed. BUT, the words in .f. are "Other than to provide for installation of required safety equipment or other authorized modifications, no other driver/passenger compartment alterations or gutting are permitted."

How far may one alter/modify with the words "Other than to provide for installation of required safety equipment or other authorized modifications,"?
[/b]

I think the key phrase here is "or other authorized modifications". the modificatons for the cage have to be authorized by some other secton. the only ones I can find are the dash reference and a couple of references to passing from the passenger compartment to the trunk area.

B. As I look at the 1990 Mazda Miata workshop manual under Body, Dashboard & Console pictures & identification the thin tube is not accounted for therefore I do not consider the thin tube to be part of the Dashboard.
[/b]
sounds like a fair argument