re: If you didn’t know much about fixing up cars…

Here is my take.
Dodge Dakota with the magnum V6.
Just a 318 minus 2 cylinders. ( 318 is good also but the mileage sucks)
Super dependable.
Super easy to work on and keep up.
Good fuel economy.
Rack and pinion steering.
Plenty of cheap parts.
All of the creature comforts.

Something with lots of parts available. Dont pick something rare. At least before Covid you could get those catalogs for 60s chevys, or 70s ford or such that were full of most anything you would need.

Square body ford or Chevy truck

VW Bug, from what I hear v

Several options.

Get a common Chevelle 2 door coupe and just badge it as an SS. Simple to do. Been done forever.

78-87 Chevrolet trucks. Put a 2/4 or 3/5 lowering kit on it for stance. They are on their way back to very popular from just popular. They are as simple to work on as anything early 70s.

It’s a little later.. but late 70s, to 88 GM g body cars. Monte Carlos, Regals, etc. talk about cheap. They are cheap. And they aren’t too bad. I mean.. how awesome is this:


And

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Dodge Dakota with the magnum V6.

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If we're going the Dakota route, then 1998-2003 5.9 R/T or GTFO.

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As long as you have the frame and shell of the cab, you can build an entire Chevy C/K from catalogs

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That pretty much applies to any Chevy pickup from 1947 on and there are tons of places to buy new frames from too with upgraded suspension components. You can even buy complete cabs for the 47-53 models. Same applies also to Ford pickups for replacement parts.

And to add to that if you don’t want to piddle around with the old in-line 6 cylinder motors, there are a myriad of aftermarket suppliers for any of those trucks for anything needed (motor mounts etc) for SBC or LS motor swaps.