I can't give you any first hand advice for the pre-50 part, but I'm building a '76 Dodge Dart Sport (same thing as a Plymouth Duster) with a 383 cu. in. big block V8 and a 4-speed. It'll be orange, lowered about an inch in the front, raised about an inch in the back, and when I have the cash I'll put a different cam/intake/carb on the engine. In the end I'm shooting for 12's hopefully. Handling? Economy? Who cares?
I had a video of a '30s Ford with an early Chrysler Hemi in it. THAT was cool. I'll see if I can find it for you, maybe help out with inspiration
