[Hoity]

Hey Seamus, I am in a similar position to you and are still researching a suitable platform for my first build. The ford/chev thing is an interesting phenomenon on here, given Shelby went with ford for his powerplants, the chev boys hang on to the fact that Shelby asked and got rejected by chev.
At the end of the day the chev powerplants provide a very economical Engine for a kit car, with a seemingly unlimited array of accessories. There is also the option of a donor commodore which can make things even cheaper again, hopefully in a year or two there will be a some cheaper used coyotes around as the Mustangs cycle thru.
I am a ford boy as well so happy to jump on the blue oval bandwagon, the chev boys are pretty well established now with the majority of cars getting chevs put in them.

I am heading up to the Goldcoast with family in Jan and will pop in to the AP factory and hopefully get a tour, if you get the chance it would come highly recommended as others above have said.