I took my 49 fleetline 2dr and turned it into a vintage stock car, I always wanted one back in the day, but couldn't afford to race. Now it just sits in my yard and looks pretty.
I agree completely, and leave the field finish intact. One of our kar krew cut up an old Chevy van to make the pickup that never came from factory. Folks walk by the billet bombs to look at that van.
It may be a waste, but in the old days cars like this were worthless and we cut up cars to make them interesting or functional. Throw a SBC in it and take it to cruise nite. See who gets the most attention.