ever see this ?

see how the cross member is cut just after it goes over the trans? now i think someone cut it for maybe clearance issue's, the guy that sold me the car said he's A- body buddy say's the factory did this on 4-speed cars, ive worked at auto dealers since the 80s and seen some crazy stuff from the factory but to cut a cross member ? anybody seen anything like this? 71 demon factory 4 speed.