I was able to go more mainstream & had backing from my wife. SHE and my daughter (pictured) saw this '63 Impala 4-door "no post" hardtop setting for sale at a local gas station. PRETTY car, and about $6000 below appraised value so she was OK with breaking the piggy bank to scoop it up.
The OEM 327 V8 and Powerglide slushbox are long gone, now powered by a modern "Stage 1" Vortec 350 pushing about 325hp out the 3.55 rear end through a kitted TH400 with a 1500rpm stall converter. Previous owner had the interior nicely restored, so it's pretty clean. I think the carpet is original, though.
I need to rebuild the wiper motor/gearbox assembly, install new weatherstripping around the windows, and get seat belts and anchors put into the back seat. The car didn't come from the factory with any; a pair of seat belts in the front was a dealer-installed option back then. I found some online that match the OEM look. Just need to crawl underneath, do some drilling, and get them anchored in there. From what I've read, I might even need to get the car up in the air and tack weld the factory anchors to the underside of the floorpan. Maybe a $20 for my local muffler guy would do the trick, since I need to see him about extending the exhaust tips, anyway. Prior owner dumped the exhaust on each side just ahead of the rear tires, but the tips set back a few inches from the rocker panels, and I'm getting some exhaust staining on the paint.