Dennis a couple of notes;

On the VW beam axle, that goes back to the 30's Porsche design for Auto Union GP cars. Also Formula Vee got started when Nardi (I think) built a formula junior using Beetle parts. So your while Carrol Smith considered them horrendous they do the job well enough despite the inherent flaws. As for the steering formula vees mount the box dead center but on many of the chassis your feet slip under the tie rods, meaning they are between tie rods and the beam.

Due note that formula junior cars had several engine sizes over the life of the class, before formula ford did the class in

As for the driving position does the gear lever stick between you legs with feet either side of the bell housing or is the driver offset.

Tom