WantAnX1/9
Stuck in gear, leaking fluids, fire in progress...
Karl has mapped out a game plan to follow very well. It all depends on your expectations and your skill set. Yes, rust issues can be addressed assuming your enjoy spending hours with an angle grinder and a welder. Unless you can paint, plan on that, along with the purchase price of the car consuming your initial budget before you get to the mechanical needs the car is already known to have. There is no harm taking a look at this one, but don't be in a rush to buy the first one that comes along. I recently sold a 50,000 mile, zero rust example that needed absolutely nothing for just under your budget (including shipping from CA to the East coast), so nice cars can still be found. You'll probably have to kiss a few frogs before the prince shows up though. One rule of classic car ownership that generally ends poorly is purchasing a "tweener". A clean rust free shell for little money, or a car with little to no needs is usually a safer bet than the "in between" cars that look nicer than the shell but in the end needed everything done anyway. You have a reasonable budget to work with, so the decision you need to make is if you want something to drive and enjoy with some tinkering now and then, or jump into a protracted restoration that will likely sideline your driving plans to some future date. Best of luck in your search whichever path you decide to take!
Thank you all. I will look at and drive the car, but unless it is offered for a great deal, I will keep looking for a more solid car. I want something I can drive, not something I have to sink my life savings into to restore from day 1. This appears to be such a car.
Today is out of the question: rain in the forecast. I'm waiting for him to give me a day/time when we can meet and go over the car.