[deuce_roadster]

I don't believe any basket case restoration ever comes close to returning your money. If you factor in your time it probably works out to 1/2 cent per hour. I personally work on these old Fords for the challenge, their beauty and yes, authentic parts are expensive but they fit. Everyone has their own comfort zone as to what level they want to take their car, 1000 point restoration or driver.
My avatar roadster needed me to hammer weld about 10" all around the body, replace sub-rails and floor. Fortunately I didn't have to pay anyone for that work. It was a bare body on a rotted frame when I got it but I wanted a real roadster. Restoring it would have been prohibitive considering all the one off 32 parts that were missing so I made it a 50s style hotrod with a flathead. I did restore one of my cars to be point judged, and going for points I found can be crazy expensive. Nobody would ever give me what I have invested in that car, but I didn't do it with economics in mind.