Thanks folks. The manual made it look like the box was to the left and not nearly as far down underneath as you're describing. That, plus the garage was a little dark and no interior car lights (battery disconnected), and I just didn't see it.
As for the #8 fuse confusion, I don't like that. If the manual says a fuse should be in that slot, then a fuse should be in that slot. I wonder which Contiques, with the same fusebox info in the owners manual as mine, actually have a #8 fuse and an "air pump."
