I am going down the same road, and currently 11 years in.
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...ead.php?t=6080
However from your first concept and from the classic market trends and don't laugh I'd be looking for a good classic.
Resto mod it, but keep all the original parts and don't do a mod you cannot unbolt.
Three examples from the sublime to the ridiculous.