Help me spend some $$$$

I agree with Smallblock. I would rip up that nasty carpet and see whats hidin underneath. Stick a cover on the bench, even if it's a cheap generic one for now. I always start inside a car, because that's the part that I see when I'm enjoying the car.

Judging from the master cyl, it's already a disc car, so I would just make sure that everything is solid including the brake hoses, pads, rotors, pack the bearings etc. Don't buy a brake booster from a salvage yard. They are just big cans with a large rubber diaphragm in them. I wouldn't want to buy one that's been sitting in a yard for 20+ years. Better off not skimping on brake parts, could come back to bite you later!

Check the front end. Ball joints, bushings, tie rod ends, and idler arms are pretty common wear items on vehicles of this vintage. They need to be solid before you can go have some serious fun. Some new shocks and good tires too!

Good luck with your project, and keep us updated.