If you're going to do it, go all the way. I have had a real nice '51 Ford coupe for the last 38 years. I had wanted a '36 3-window all of my life and I finally got one on the mid-90's. I spent a couple of years "making it my own". I drove it for about 10 years and became increasingly disappointed with the driving experience. It was cramped inside, I found the floor shift inconvenient, the lights were weak, and the banjo wheel so thin that my hands cramped up after any significant driving time. Also, the lack of a decent heater kept it in the shop on some pretty nice fall days. Luckily, the one guy that agreed to buy my '51 had backed out of the deal and I still had it. I sold the '36, and still drive the '51.
The only bad thing about the '51 is the lack of power steering now that I'm in my eighties. I am fortunate to live in a small town, so with foresight and planning, I can avoid situations where it is absolutely necessary. I'd like find someone to add it and also complete the installation of the overdrive transmission. I've already installed an "improved" '51 Mercury engine, so performance, both in traffic and on the highway is more than adequate.
So I would seriously consider going to a "shoebox" or maybe a '52-'53 for the maximum benefit. Otherwise, you'll probably be facing a similar decision a few years down the line.
