318 vs. Slant value

A numbers matching A-body is a 45-55 year old economy car that somehow survived. Otherwise, it's worth what you can convince somebody to give you the day you wish to sell it. If it runs, and you rely on it for basic personal/business transportation, the value is the insurance deductible. If it doesn't run it's worth it's weigh in scrap or parts less your time to dispose of it. Most of us who play with old cars do so because we enjoy it, not because it makes any sort of financial sense to do so, because it never will. But, to your question at hand, if the nice slant car would cost less than having the 318 car body professionally repaired, then buy it. Perhaps you could mitigate your losses by selling off spares once you're done. Good luck with that. Seems I can't give away a 70-72 front Dart valance, and just threw another complete A/C system into the dumpster...