Chris,
Thanks for your reply and explanation. No need to apologize, I think it was me who didn't express this clearly. I do understand your point. The seat bulkhead must be used in the earlier model because, like in Cozy, the door is much larger and takes up much of the upper portion of the fuselage which in turn makes the fuselage lose some of its structure support.
However, what I was trying to say is that given all of the above, if one would reattach the top hatch door back to the fuselage (and also remove the side windows and refill them with the same composite material that the fuselage is made of) then logically speaking, one would get (or should get) the same fuselage shell as in the newer models that use gull wing doors. So then, one should be able to cut out the gull wing doors and matching windows just like in the new SE models.
Now, I'm stating all of the above making following assumptions (as you know, I have zero experience with composites or velocity!):
1. earlier velocity models (that used the top door) have the same fuselage as as the new SE models (that use gull wing doors) in terms of thickness, composite material, shape, size, etc.
2. the process of reattaching the top door would be the same as joining the top and bottom fuselage halves, meaning that the bonding will be as good as if the the door were never cut out (or at least, strong enough to withstand any structural stress so that the safety would not be compromised - again, my logic here is based on the assumption that joining the top and bottom halves of the fuselage is strong enough to withstand any structural stress that can be encounter in flight under even rough conditions like severe turbulence).
Of course, if any of the above assumtions is incorrect, then the reattaching the top door and refilling the windows will not work as I described and that's the end of it. So the big question really is (at least that's what I think) whether or not both of above assumptions are correct.
I will try to see what the guys at the factory will say about this, but you or anyone on the forum are most welcome to provide any input (opinions, facts, advice, etc.)
Again, thanks for your help and also for the invitation to your shop, Chris! I'd love to stop by, but unfortunately I'm in the east coast (New York) so it would be a long travel, but if I'm in the area, I'll be sure to make a detour (of course, I give you advance notice!)
Thanks.
Mark