The short answer is, to maintain collector originality any non-destructive method can be used, such as removing a vent that can be replaced later, or simply remove 3 screws and swivel it off to the side. Tape the screws to it in a little bag so they don't get lost. You can use a molex connector on your outgoing wires if you plan to disconnect and move the game around in the future.

That said, if it is not a collector quality game then feel free to either drill or add a binding post or spring jack plate to the bottom of the cab, nobody is going to see it anyway.

I run the wires through the small vent holes in the rear of the machine, like you were suggesting. Just need to move the mesh up a little bit by removing a staple or two. Easy and no damage done to the cab.

I don't think it'd be bad, just too much work for me. When I hook up to internal speaker, I either clip or solder a small lead wires to a speaker spring holder that I mount on one of the internal supports. I then just feed the wire up to it and hook it up. Cheap and easy, and I can move stuff around after simply disconnecting. The binding posts on the bottom would certainly make that easier though. Hmmm...

Every time I punch a vent out of the back of the machine to feed cable in and out (I have subwoofer amps in all my machines), I thank the universe for the day I decided to not cut my cabinet. $2 and a couple of staples and she's back to new.

Go for it. Recessed jack plates come in a dozens of varieties. If you are good with woodcutting, personally I see nothing wrong with it at all.

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perfect