How to tackle this?

So I have my '72 Scamp that needs to go under the knife for some 1/4 panel and fender surgery, as well as possibly rockers. It's gold with a black vinyl top. I love the car and will never get rid of it, but currently it's starting to look like a very daunting task.

Here's the problem:

I'm 21, probably won't have a house until I'm about 24. The car has a vinyl top with some bubbling underneath that scares me. I'll take some really good pictures of all the problem areas tomorrow or Thursday.

If I'm going to be paying for paint, I've decided I want to paint it the colour I want, which is limelight green with a black bumblebee style stripe. I don't know how to body work so I will be getting someone else to do it. I also don't have a garage in which I can tear the car down.

I'm dead set on these points:

Car will be green
I will be keeping it

I don't care about:
whether or not it has a vinyl top

So, should I:
Keep the vinyl top on and pretend there's nothing under it
Take it off and leave it off
Take it off and replace it

Thanks!

(ps: pictures will be posted tomorrow or thursday)