Acoustic Guitar Construction

Just for fun, I present you with the guitar as built (from a Web picture) , on the left, then stretched vertically 105%, in the middle, then stretched 107% on the right. The 'flavor' of the shape really changes even with the small amounts of change.
I like all 3, but the one on the right seems to call to me a bit more. My wife really likes the original shape.

I can see what you mean, I tried to mentally go through the effort of imagining the right image back as a guitar with the the same scale length so the bridge moved up. To get the effect without moving the bridge one can either narrow the body, or as another option if this is a 14 fret join change to a 12 by stretching the body.

The right one looks like a cello.
You're working in the wrong department, my friend.
On the other hand: chicks dig cello's, so....

But yes, what a major impression by some percentages

Was the original ladder braced?

Yes, the classic 'gypsy' bracing.

The middle pic is most pleasing to my eye. The left one seems short and squatty and the one on the right appears too elongated.

I see it the same way as you Tim. The middle one is the Bees Knees, as Dave would say!!