newbee: Need some sound advised on my 70 "H" code Duster!!!

You asked so here is my opinion. If you plan to restore the car to stock and get every detail as close as possible, then I'd vote for stock. Otherwise I don't see what it would hurt to restore the body and upgrade everything without harming the original parts. The car can always be put back and since you said you aren't selling it, end value isn't a concern.