So Many Rabbit Holes...

Any time we shop the internet for parts it can stack up really fast.
Patience, Craigslist, investigation and the pick a part yards can save tons of money.
Plus it helps a LOT if a person doesn't have to hire someone to do everything.
YY1 hit the nail on the head about upgrading without killing the bank account.

Examples would be getting brand new large BP drums on a rear end someone was giving away to get it out of their yard.
Or an Edelbrock aluminum intake out of the pick a part for 60 bucks (with the perfectly good Eddie carb on it) for 100 total.
Or a guaranteed good 42RH overdrive trans for 125 (with the converter and large yoke)
Or a nice condition used Hurst shifter in the original box for 60.

Agreed, ... unfortunately there aren't many yards, around this area that I have found, that have any of these cars around anymore. Most are 80's - 90's and up and everything older has been crushed.