I thought about that too but i would love to open my own shop one day and i am a welder so i thought this would be a good challenge for me. All the parts would cost me about 3,ooo or so. It's just a plain old coupe so like you said its nothing rare. Im just torn on what to do. I appreciate your opinion and see your veiwpoint.
Being a welder is a big plus to start with, (I'm one also) rebuilding that car would be a good test of your abilities and would probably hone your talents even further welding up the tough spots vertically and horizontal and my favorite overhead. A MIG would also be a plus, I only have AC/DC arc right now to work with.
My suggestion would be to attempt fabricating the parts yourself and forget about a full restoration, dumping 3K into it would be a big mistake considering it's only a coupe. (talking from experience/ mistake rebuilding a rusty 78 Trans Am SE)
Take a look at my avitar, a Nevada car most of it's life, zero frame rot, new interior (headliner still unfinished) and runs very strong for an I6, $3,600.
Not only would the replacement parts cost a fortune it would wind up more than just the sheet metal needing replacement, ie; brake lines, electrical, you name it.
First turn that uni body into a solid front to back frame, I used 1" x 3 1/2" heavy gage tube steel, then welded plates from that to the body and rest of the frame. Plates that mated from interior floor to underside I drilled and bolted together. You need to cut and bevel the frame rail ends to at least a 45 degree angle at the ends. The main thing you want is to make the car safe and solid.
This would be a perfect car to do the oil base paint job on for $50. like the thread posted a few days ago talked about and would also give you some experience with paint and prep.
I would go for it if you want but make your own parts and replace parts with used parts from a junk yard if you can to keep the costs down. Bondo also is cheap, white paint and custom stripes can hide a lot and if you messed up it really won't matter all that much.
If you weren't aware a circular saw with the gaurd removed works great at cutting heavy steal with a cut off blade from any lumber store. (wear a respirator and keep the metal filings off the car) A jig saw can cut the sheet metal and a reciprocating saw cuts steal good also.
Go for it I'd say, just keep the costs down.