Lang,
I agree you’re just applying common sense here. Any upgrade to increase reliability and safety should be applauded. Like you say, it’s not like you’re hot rodding it.
Pre-COVID I talked to the owner of a HUP at a swap meet. He was adamant that the original 1941 dated tyres on his truck were much better than new tyres as “they were made with natural rubber which is superior to today’s rubber”
I used to own a 1965 VW Beetle, it ran on old style diagonal tyres. Very original but a nightmare to drive in modern traffic. I quickly replaced them with radial tyres. I got those same looks at shows you got.