Not Ranked
The rocker cover does NOT need to be removed to remove the battery--the battery slides off its mounting shelf toward the front of the car quite easily after removing the vertical rear aluminum panel of the right front wheelwell (10 screws for the panel and, for many of us, one knock-off hub). All ERA 427s from 768 on have this feature.
And why generate even more heat and potentially lose electrical efficiency with the longer cables required for trunk mounting?
As far as weight distribution gains, the ERA 427 already has 52% of its weight on the rear wheels thanks to the car being essentially a front mid-engine design. How much more do you need?
My top, side curtains, and tonneau cover (all in their own leather pouches) store very compactly on the forward trunk shelf, leaving the trunk floor empty and relatively spacious for a sports car. If I had the battery on that shelf, then I would have to store these items on the trunk floor and have a lot less space than I do now.
Finally, if I'd done as great a job with my top as Dan did, I'd leave it up a lot!
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