The ugliness and crudeness is what I think makes it cool. Not many people would have restored it since its not really based on an actual car body. Makes it unique for sure.
Damn... now I'm feeling kinda old. These cars are what I cut my teeth on racing. Safety stuff wasn't near as important back then. Good old beer keg fuel tanks, minimal roll cage tubing, (they had a tendency to bend), sometimes had a firesuit, etc.
That's a pretty cool survivor. Back then, you used what you had or could make. (no speed shops) As far as ugly... look at what Bently Warren 1st super modified. No frills.