This is my first post and I am happy to have found this place, it looks like it will be just the ticket for my new found interest.

As a "newb" I might as well go ahead and put my post in the wrong category so as not to cheat the expectation. Actually I am just looking to get some exposure for my query and I noticed this category gets all the views.

I am not completely new to the \6 world, I used to own a Valiant when I lived on Oahu. The thing was an absolute rust bucket but it did what the reputation suggested, it ran, plus I loved that damn thing. I remember getting soaked on several occasions when it was raining out and I drove through some standing water. The thing had an absurd amount of missing floor due to the rust, and would allow copious amounts of water to splash inside under the right circumstances. I used to get a pretty good kick out of it actually. The old Valiant "beach cruiser" stories are plentiful, what memories.

So here I am five years later and I want a classic car. I have targeted the slant six family. My current dilemma is what decision to make about a particular car I have found. It is a 66 Valiant 100 with 225 and auto, and probably 95+% original. Right away I feel like this was a special car as AFAIK this style was only offered 2 years and I really dig the front grill. Ill get right to it though. The body is really straight with rust limited to rear quarter lowers and a few spots on the floor. Never been wrecked and original paint. Car was backed into a pole and rear bumper sustained damage, needs fixing or replaced. Interior I would give a 8+ out of 10, some wear but real reasonable. Exhaust has issues. Not sure of extent but will need at least muffler back I think. Some electrical issues, for example headlights dont work. Engine starts and runs but not real well. I may have heard some excessive internal noise, not sure on that yet. Dont know about tranny as car is not really road worthy (no tags), but owner says it shifts fine etc. Has a handful of new stuff like tires, alt., battery, slave cyl., etc. which leads me to believe the owner has faith in the car overall. It appears to be a decent little find, as it is all there (trim, manuals, hub caps, original stuff that is nice to have). If someone was looking for a restoration this would be a no brainer, if it was a muscle car in same condition I have no doubt it would be worth 12,000 or more. I am looking for a car to make a driver out of. I want a decent looking car with straight body that runs nice, but no trophy winner. I enjoy working on my stuff and can do most of the assembly type work myself. For example I could probably rebuild the engine and tranny, but would have to outsource stuff like machine work.

So should I do it?

Things on the to do list so far would be

sort the electrical
rebuild of engine perhaps or at least find out the skinny on it
rear bumper
exhaust
some rust repair
then there's all the unexpected.

asking price is 1,000 can probably get it for 7-800

Could I get this thing all sorted out and be between 3-4K in the end?

If I realize I am over my head isnt the body alone worth about a grand?

Opinions and or suggestions of what/where to look closer at to make decision very appreciated. Sorry for the long wind.
Thanks.

Price sounds right, thats for sure. If you have a place to keep it and work on it for awhile, get it! If its sound as you say it is, the electrical and mechanical work should be a piece of cake. If you do get it, get a shop manual for the that year. It will have the wiring diagrams, tune up specs, etc. Get it sorted out so its like it was stock with all operating systems working, then modify if you want from there. Three or four grand total dosn't sound out of line.

I agree with Eric. My diagnosis from several hundred miles away is this: (1) headlights- bad headlight switch. Corrosion builds up on the switch and they stop working. Could also be a bad dimmer switch or fuse (2) engine noise/rough running- Most likely it needs the valves adjusted. I have known people who were ready to junk their slant until I adjusted their valves for them. Might also be the points needing to be adjusted/replaced.

I say get it. These are simple, reliable cars, and the price is right!