My way of a mission impossible 318 budget :)

I like it!!!
Looks like a 500 with the rear window and really nice lines.
I get your cruiser plan now and you have some good parts to make it work and still be fairly fuel efficient.
The 268/454 comp cam in my 318 Scamp has some chop to it but doesn't sound like a drag car. Pretty responsive from idle with stock 904/8.1/4 3.23 sg.