350 or larger

I am a "car" guy and this is my story. I was into the import scene for a long time. My first car was a 92 Toyota Turbo MR2 and I loved it, but it got me into a lot of trouble. But then I got married and needed to think a little more practically, so I bought a 98 Jetta (worst mistake I ever made). So after the German POS died on me for no apparent reason (I think the ECU blew), I sold it to a guy for like $1500 as is, although it wasn't worth the powder to blow the hunk of crap to hell. I was left high and dry, a couple grand down the tubes and now with only one vehicle between my wife and I. Somewhere along the way I've developed a love for muscle cars, particularly Chevys. A love which has become a bit of an obsession, fueled by the mundane experience of driving a naturally aspirated four-banger, and each time I hear the roar of a 350 or 400 as an old relic of pure American performance tears past me on the road.

So here is my dillemma: I MUST have an old muscle car. At first I dreamed of owning a fully restored 69 Camaro SS with a 396. But as you may know, first Gen F-bodies are a bit of a rarity. So realistically speaking, I'm willing to buy ANY gm car, pre 1974, with a 327 or larger. I would actually prefer a car with no engine so I can do the resto job right, and I don't want to spend more than $2000 on it.

good luck! over the years i have done a coupe of restoration; 76 cobra II, 67 firebird 400 convertable. my heart is with you but my brain is going to tell you run away, run away as fast as you can.
warning said now pick your self up a beater, something to drive while you restore your dream car, or should i say nightmare. if i had all the blood sweat, and tears that went into those 2 cars i would be a rich man. now seeing you live in arizona you should be lucky in finding something in good condition from the 60's or early 70's. you must have a weekly want add, uncle henrys, something they put out every week with items for sale. find what you want, it will be worth more if it has the origanal motor but to be honest you will never get what you put into it, but it will be what you want. first year of production or last year are worth more, special pacages; 442 olds, judge gto's, convertables, boss stangs, cobras, all will give you a lot more looks and money to lay out to get them right. good luck enjoy and never tell the wife you spent $500 on a nos hood for a 40 year old car!