Nev
The original fuel line dating from the 60s was a copper pipe that ran inside the body , on the passengers side of the car , through the bulkhead and connected to the mechanical fuel pump on the left rear of the engine.
Agreed that by today's risk averse culture, it does leave something to be desired, but now you could use flameproof aeroquip-type piping which would overcome some of these concerns.
However your option 3 does make sense (to me anyway) as long as the pipe is
Protected from the heat of the exhaust (should be OK on the nearside)
All holes are well grommeted where is passes through barriers
Tucked up underneath the upper horizontal section of the chassis.
The noise from the transmission tunnel is usually the propshaft hitting the metal cover due to either some sideways flexing of the cover, or the cover having insufficient clearance.
Good luck , let us know how you find a solution.
