not an S car would be a HARD pass for me unless i was scooping it as a parts car, and even then considering it's missing **** that makes it valuable-- namely the big ticket stuff like a motor and trans and a 8.75 rear my offer would be scrap value.
people don't just take motors out of cars for no reason. especially if they've just repaired and repainted them. that don't pass the sniff test to me.
you dodged a bullet on that one hombre. let the dreamers keep that pile and you keep that dough in your pocket till something better-- MUCH better rolls along.