I'm Heartbroken. Time to face reality that my Cuda is a parts car.

Yeah man, I feel ya. Something happens to our ambition over 50. I am having issues getting going on mine, but I am past the "rust removal" process, did that in my late 30's. If I was to start now, I'd pay the money for a running driving car, but I bought mine when I was 25, and at that age I didnt have the coin for a running driving car. Now, its for love of the car that I press on, if even at a slow pace, I am quicker wrenching than at body/paint, so I am tackling mechanical issues when I get a burst of ambition, also, doing body work in between. Good luck man, and you have to go with how you feel on this decision. I do want to say there is alot of good advise on here though. I agree the car doesnt have to be 100% correct. I have an H code Swinger, but i want to drive it, not fixing it up to sell for top $$$ so, I know when I pass it on the paint wont be perfect. But, I do try and put the best parts and paint/body materials that I can afford on it. I want to be able to say "yeah, I did it myself" and be proud of how it turns out. Do the best with what you have, like said, it can be fixed. the trunk pans, frame rail rust, is all common. someone has been there done that. I had a 69 Coronet in the late 80's with typical frame rail rot, back then you had to hack a good piece from a donor car, now those rails are available reproductio. Times are good to be in the hobby, alot of parts available, or at least more than say 15 -20 years ago. I remember when Mopar repop parts was like non existent. We should be thankful. the stuff still is expensive though, I remember telling Chevy guys "yeah to do a Chevy is cheap"...:)