Strange holes in transmission tunnel

[Bmachine]

I was cleaning the tunnel today and noticed two sets of small rectangular holes on each side of the tunnel, half way between the gear shift hole and the firewall.

They look like somebody's demented work but, before I close them up I wanted to make sure these are not supposed to be there for some strange reason.

Thank you.

 

[HB Chris]

Seal 'em up. Nice looking A/C drain though!

 

[Simufly]

Yep they are the anchors for the base of the A/C evaporator unit and the condensate drain hole

 

[Bmachine]

Yep they are the anchors for the base of the A/C evaporator unit and the condensate drain hole

I think the order in which my pics were posted was misleading. The holes I am referring to are the ones clearly visible in the last pic. They almost look like some claw marks.... The first two pics showing the AC drain are more for location reference.

 

[Simufly]

Ah yes, seal em up.

 

[Simufly]

Ah yes, seal em up.

 

[eriknetherlands]

Tin worm is getting more viscious every year!

I woud say that a body panel is not pressed with such an irregular shape; must be hand made. I have never seen them before.
They resemble exit wounds more then skilled bodywork ; it looks like these holes are formed starting from the interior.
Also I would have no clue for their function. Were they slammed in to hold a fire extinguisher or carpet piece ? I have no experience with AC units, but they sure have a strange shape for using them as a screw point. Perhaps it was an ill attempt to create openings for a C-clip, just like the ones already used in that area?

I you don't need them; i would tap the edges flat, weld em up and grind it smooth. No-one will ever know, except those who read this board ;-)
Erik