too nice to mod?

Yep. I did a real restoration of a 69 Dart Swinger 340 in 2008. All original inspection marks, I used all the original hardware replated in the correct finish, original drivetrain, etc. The car was absolutely CHERRY. I did a resto thread here on FABO as I went along.
Once the car was finished and driven for a couple of months, I couldn't wait to sell it so I could build a street/strip car, and thats just what I did.
Do a search under my username for both that 340 car, and the 440 convertible I'm building now. Both are in the Members Restoration section.

Best of Luck, bud.

George