Moral Dilemma with a 53 Catalina

This will be my first hot rod project but I’ve had a passion for it since the first matchbox car I cut up and modified. I have recently purchased a 53 Pontiac Catalina Super Deluxe (rare from what I can tell). It is almost 100% complete minus a headlight ring, the floor, rocker panels, and lower rear quarters. This thing has all the bells and whistles of it’s time; visor, traffic light prism, auto headlight dimmer, power antenna, under the hood work light, and other stuff I probably don’t even know. Here’s where my dilemma is, can I cut and customize this thing or does it have to be restored (which I would sell it then). It is in rough shape and would need a complete and I mean complete restoration. And after all that work and money what’s it worth? So I’m thinking/hoping it’s not a sin to cut her up. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays  

Personalize it to suit yourself and keep all the bells and whistles! Anyone can restore a car, so be someone and make it yours!  

If it was super clean and original then the decision might be harder. Just because something is rare doesn't make it valuable. If you are going to get more enjoyment out of it modified then build it the way you want it. If you do it right it'll not only be more enjoyable it'll most likely be worth more as well.  

Yeah, you don't HAVE to do anything, but I would suggest doing what you want. I mean what fun is a restored car if you don't like restored cars?  

It's your car. You obviously bought the car for a reason. Now build it to please you, whatever that is. If you do not have fun in it and enjoy it, why do it?

It does not matter if you want disc brakes and/or a racoon tail in your antenna, just do it.

"Anybody can restore a car, it takes a real man to cut one up"  
It's only metal, It does not know if it is on a 50 Merc, or on a Lambo. Make it do what you want.

this WILL make a neat ride!  no cookie cutter stuff here.  get it up and running and make it safe...then customize to suit YOUR taste. half the fun of owning and driving rods&customs over the years, for me, has been driving a "work in progress".  that way, you do not tend to lose interest in the project as quickly as if it were a "garage ornament"...at least that's the it has worked out for me.  since this is your first attempt, please do not get discouraged...just hack away and have some fun. wish i had my first baby back...she was a 41 plymouth 2-door sedan that started in much the same condition as the pontiac you described.  this was in the early 70's and i took some heat for it being an odd rod, but that was ok 'cause an odd dude was at the wheel! kept and drove that car daly for more than 10 years in various stages of completion...had a LARGE time.  you do the same...and good luck with your project.