You may be aiming a little high. I got my 289 3 Speed C code manual steering and drums 67 for $4000 two years ago but then again I negotiated down from $5000. Plus bought it in Detroit, easily the most depressed area in the country. Surprisingly minimal rust for cars back home, especially this age.

But I imagine there are deals out there considering the state of the economy. You may have to go outside of your area to find what you really want. Try www.jaxed.com they have a craigslist/ebay search mash so you can search all of craigslist, not one area at a time.

 

i .don't think you'll get a V8 car for 4 grand that's not a rustbucket nowadays (but I have been proved wrong before).
Since you say you don't mind mechanical work, you really might be looking at getting an I6, but as said you'll need a hell of a lot of other parts to go with it.
If you don't get all your parts from the scrapper I'd still suggest a solid V8 model will be cheaper in the long run. But that's only my opinion

Kalli

 

Just an update on this guys. I have been looking at 4 other cars (read buckets) since the ones mentioned in this thread. For the price range i'm looking i might not be able to get what i want as you mentioned. Sad to admit it but i think the first car with the 3 speed has been the best so far... almost makes me regret not getting it..

I'll just keep looking, something might pop up at some point.

Thanks for all the input.