Hello, I need some advice and opinions please.

Welcome to FABO, and glad you asked first instead of buying. Check the cars for sale section here on the site. For comparison sake, there was a 69 383 Barracuda for sale here locally, claimed to be an original low mileage car, I did see it in person, though I didn't get really close and personal with it, for 38k CAD. Obviously a higher priced car, about 30k USD, but a much better buy in all likelihood than an 18k POS that will cost you another 10k or more before it's roadworthy.
Just my .02.