I had a similar question 690 or so posts ago.. I know about machines, past and present but I knew nothing about a really cool car I found buried beneath 5 years of neglect, no smog check, missing title and a looming crack induced home reposession about to claim not just the home but the car buried under years of trash in the garage. Really.. (photo in my gallery)
I had essentially 48 hours to make a decision.. Not enough time to know the in's and outs of brands, why FE's are cooler than 385's and why FIA's are cool at all with only a 289.. It turned out I actually used my ignorance for big benefits. Comparing ERA's and Contemporary's to other makes will do that. Hopefully you have more time than I did when it happens.. But let it happen. Be one with the Cobwa Gwasshoppa..
Above all else know time is money. The more time something looks like it has in it, the more it costs. Finished edges, painted, powder coated frames hand welded, boxed and finished are expensive. Hand polished anything is big money.. Original big blocks, toploaders IRS suspensions, ported and polished intake manifolds are too.. Don't let a chronic misfire, an engine that won't run or a missing title scare you (it should.. just don't let it)
The time is right to make a really good buy. It won't always be like this...