Folks:
I have the opportunity to score a gorgeous 68 ghia with near-zero rust. I want to make it my daily driver by October... meaning I'll be putting 40 miles on it every weekday, sometime sitting in lovely Houston summer bumper to bumper traffic. And of course taking it on some weekend road trips to hill country a few hours away.
I know the car doesn't have the stock engine, but I'm unsure if what is in there is a 1500 or a 1600. It has a new tranny, but the engine... no one can vouch for it. It does run without any noticeable problems, but since I want it to be reliable, I'm probably looking to rebuild it.
Questions...
1) Suggest rebuild, or put the engine through some paces (compression test, fuel system clean out, full tune up and head removal, valve inspection, etc.) and leave as is? For me, a full rebuild is tempting because once you have the engine on a bench, a rebuild isn't very complicated, and that way I know what I have back there.
2) If I did rebuild, what size engine would y'all suggest. I don't want to break any land-speed records, I just want something that can keep up on the freeways, and won't overheat in the summer traffic.
Oh, and (purists get ready to cringe) I may be looking into an aftermarket a/c system. Don't shoot! I'm unarmed!
I know this is subjective stuff, but all advice and opinions are appreciated...
duke