This has certainly been an entertaining read.
One question about the Minotars being accepted as period correct. Just because the VTR expert wants them for his car doesn't mean they are period correct for judging. He probably wants them for his car because they are a more stable wheel for driving than the original 48 spokers. I doubt the car they would be going on would ne in any sort of concourse judging especially if he were a judge.
Also, just because they are made in the same factory doesn't mean that they qualify for period correct. Otherwise a TR4A engine in a TR2 should be allowed. While the Minotar is a wheel of the correct diameter but not width, and it may match the widths available of a period correct wheel, the look is a little updated and not quite the same as true period correct wheel. In the same manner, the TR4A engine is an updated 4 cylinder, based on the same block even as the TR2, and made in the same factory, possibly by the same people, but would still not be period correct for a TR2 (or TR3, TR3A or possibly even a TR4 depending upon VIN). At a glance, they would look the same espeically to the uninitiated but are not the same.
There are two basic standards used for judging side screen TR's in the US on a nationwide basis. One is TRA, the other is VTR. My guess, and that is all it is, would be that your TR3A, as it sits, would be classed as modified and you would be put in the same class as that small mouth "Resto-Mod" (which there seems to be as many definitions for as there are for "restored") on ebay (the original subject of the thread).
This of course is all my opinion and as you so ably put it, they are like aresholes.
Welcome to the forum.