Gear shift: It looks to me like the unpainted one had been modified by someone with short arms that wanted the gear knob further back. That prevented the latch working as designed and it fouled the fingers of the gate so both were removed. I just see it as a bodge but you are fortunate to have the good ones (the ones in primer).
As for the front floor I think that you will be making a new one and just sectioning the diff bulge from the one in the photos into it. It wouldn't be too difficult to press the ribs into the new one but to section new metal into the rusty one would need huge amounts of welding that would make it very hard to avoid warping and general distortion, quite apart from the work involved.
I must say that it is great to see someone doing such a thorough and profesional job on an M8. You will be amply rewarded when you drive it - great fun.
David
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