Do what I did. find someone who made a small fortune out of a large fortune and offer him $$$$$ to let him get his power turned on in time for christmas... or this case AC on in time for summer...
Seriously, It comes down to level of involvement in the culture (hobby doesn't sound right) I know guys who have built as nice a car as there is only to decide this is more of an obsession than a past time. Pick a price point. A $20k car will generally be the low (ok, low low) end and $120k the high end (ok.. very high end)
Most fall in the middle.. $40-60k... The nicer the car (or the more you are willing and able to do) the more it will be worth. Regardless of marque there are very well done and very poorly done examples.
If you can wait (sometimes years) you can order a new ERA or Kirkham both of which are at the high end of todays market. Superformance is a good car. There are many other good cars. I will tell you the more you spend the better off you will be in the long run. Your higher initial investment will keep you from constantly upgrading (unless you become obsessed)