auto or manual transmission

i just got a 71 nova w/ a 305 in it. Its auto and the stick is in the steering column. So if i were to change it it would mess up the whole original look. Should i change the trasmission to manual, get another engine or keep it the same. Im kind of a begginer to cars so any suggestions will be helpful. Oh and what color should i get: black w/ white racing stripes or orange w/ black racing stripes?

if you are going performance go with a 350 and a th400 trans if not keep what you got. as for as paintting the car go with a paint job that nobody has done before