Yes you will have to remove the cowl band. The nuts for the cowl band are accessed from the engine compartment just under the firewall.
If you are doing it on that roadster, it will be easier because you can swing the windshield out of the way. If you are doing it on a closed car, remove the windshield swing arms that hold the windshield open for fresh air. That allows the windshield to swing out more making more room for the tank to lift straight up.