Figure 8 bend trekking bars are like a near bar and a far bar,
the forward reach is like, going into the low position.
bending over into a headwind, for example.

and the bar ends on the sides is continuous, part of the bend in the bar..
you can grip places where the clamp would be, for Bar add on ends.

OP: due to metal fatigue, I advise against using older aluminum drop handlebars.

I have seen them on older rigs .. you will see the sag of the riders weight, bending the tube..
evidenced by the brake levers being pointed inward, when viewed from the front.

next step may be breaking, in the least desirable moment.

I have Trekking bars on the bike I ride Most, the straight bar controls,
brake levers, and the Rohloff grip shifter slide right on.

There is a potential to make a Mustache bar like setup road brake levers at the front.

Seen Harris cycle website, their handlebar page has links to that....
http://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/handlebars.html

Stem choice makes a big difference how the bars are relative to the saddle..

I have my Trekking bars higher than the saddle and fairly near ..
my Medium sized Bike Friday PL has a a 56 top tube and a short 5cm stem..