[Gunner]

Sorry, I don't think I'm being a lemon; it's just that there are project cars and there are projects resembling cars - ask Peter Egan.

If there was enough heat damage to melt the hood, break the glass and destroy the interior, I wouldn't trust any mechanical component from this wreck without treating it like any other junkyard pick. Taking every piece of this car and blasting it (look at the rust on the suspension and undercarriage from heat and water damage), fluxing or otherwise testing it, and then coating it is likely to add up to a lot more than just buying the part new or getting a good used car to refurbish.

That's just mechanical; I doubt the body will have any longevity after such heat exposure no matter what's done to it. I'd hate to see hundreds of hours of prep and repair and $2k or up in paint just crumble at the first hard bump or ess curve. Look closely at the depth and type of damage to the glass. A new body would take care of that but then you have all the problems of new glass, hung over a questionable chassis and running gear.

And in the end, it's not a car that's worth very much - just an older middle-grade Cobra kit. Were it a Q or K code Mustang, or a T-series MG, or whatever... maybe. But this think is a financial heartbreak that can only lead to a real heartbreak when it breaks due to some overlooked damage. And once the parts are repainted etc. it will be hard to spot any problems or potential failures.

Strip it, scrap it, and start from a new bare kit. IMVVHO.