You will be surprised how easy upholstery is. I recovered all the seats in a VW beetle with materials from JC whitney, twas very simple, no sewing required just "hog-rings".

My experiences with cars taught me one thing: If the car already looks good, complete, clean, etc....the added effort to make mechanical repairs will seem very small.

"Fixing a new car is like going to war, A 35 or more year old car is like fighting a Land War in Asia" to use your language. Best wishes on this project.

Geeze, I never did update this thread!

Had a friend look at the transmission, and it was toast. Whole forward clutch was blown apart. I ended up getting a long tail 350 out of a '72 Impala in exchange for cash and some electrical work on a '72 MGB.

My son decided that he didn't want to bother with it anymore, so I gave him all of the money he invested in the car, and I installed the transmission on my back last August. Had to shorten the driveshaft to get the long tail in (it had a short tail 350 in it) . Ended up selling the car back to the guy I got it from, for a little more than I had wrapped up in it.

With the car now driveable, starting, and stopping, he felt that he could easily finish the car up and get it back on the road. That was last September. I don't think it's moved from its spot in the garage since....but not my problem :)

So, what's he driving?

Nothing. No job, no ambition = no ride.