lil-bobber: thanks for the input, anything is possible however that front trim piece is brad nailed on and the lower veneer panel is also secured with brads and the use of an air stapler. I really don't want to end up with a real train wreck of a reno job.
Stan: ah haaaa! Fishing line to use as a saw, you know when I was restoring an old BMW bike I read a thread of how to get the old BMW roundels (tank decals) off and in that application the guy used dental floss in the same manner you're referring to. Thanks for the tip!
I may even be able to 'feel' if there's another form of fastener holding it on as I pull the floss/fishing line back and forth.
I'll check out the Bounders forum for that resource too!