Appreciate the advice. My uncle has an engine and engineering shop where he has built Shelby cobras for decades. Any body material, any performance level, always original looking but totally custom for preference, paint in-house. Even has leather workers in-house. I’m not worried about getting work done but I am worried about overpaying for what I get to start with. Don’t want to pay 10k for something I think runs but then needs an new transmission in 500 miles.
Your advice tells me I need another few months of research. I’m thinking if I can buy a good body then I’m willing to spend 20k on making it my own. I don’t need original or want it to be original. I want to grow a mullet and mustache and have a car I can drive to the golf course. Honestly, I can have all but the car if I shave and get a cut tomorrow. But I would love a good A/C, power locks, usb for my phone, and decent performance with my personal interior preferences and a cowl hood.