I don't see the tailwheel Bellancas mentioned yet. I own a 14-13. It has a fold-back gear with about 50% of the wheel showing.
Since it is a real orphan - no support whatever, I had thought(day dreamed) of what changes one could make building one from scratch as an experimental. It would make ownership a lot more manageable, even having my A&P.
Since it has a swing back retractable gear, would some different gear config be better? Hard to say. A modified wing with a more common swing-in gear would need an extended leading edge at the root - a la P51 - to house the retracted wheel and extra internal structure out to the pivot. However, the doors would be simple and drag minimum.
The challenge for the simple swing back gear seems to be getting it all covered up after it is retracted. It is usually a heavy compromise of complexity-reliability and drag. But even if perfect aerodynamically the protruding surface is extra wetted area.
A little speck of history. I knew the late Art Scholl way back when. His modified Super Chipmunk had a rear folding Bellanca gear and Petten fairing, a geared Lycoming and a big Aeromatic prop, all items I suggested. After he had flown it, he discovered that the hydraulic system could not keep the gear from popping out during high G maneuvers. So, I designed, built and installed some up-locks for it. I think that aircraft is now hanging in the National Air Museum.
Ron