A win-win situation would involve new-build replicas, using a pattern airframe (which in turn could be restored).
The CW-19, CW-22, SNC-1 family aircraft really look best with the lower profile canopy sported on the civilian and non-navy models.
The retractable landing gear appears to have come in two different forms: the most apparent configuration having the fairings under the wings (like a P-40), and the lesser seen configuration involving the wheels retracting towards the center-line of the fuselage (as seen on the CW-21B). It would really be interesting to see a CW-22 fitted with the cleaner landing gear as seen on the CW-21B.
Curtiss-Wright CW-23 [NX19427] also appears to be fitted with the lesser known landing gear configuration.
http://www.aerofiles.com/cw23.jpgNow, as far as a restoration/operator's standpoint, the fixed landing gear on the CW-19R would probably be safer, and less of a headache to deal with, and still retain a classy look.
Few production trainers retained such petite, slender looking fuselages. They were some of the most elegant looking aircraft made by Curtiss in the inter-war years.