[volvo always]

It sounds the ideal car for you, as you have most parts!

I saw it too and liked it but lack of garage where you could work indoors would put me off. If so like tinkering and a project a good way to learn.

I thought I would need to spend £3.5-5k on full restoration

2.5 k for rust repairs and full respray. In a nice powder/light blue.
1.5K on engine parts and any other parts needed.
£500 for engine install labour.
£500 miscellaneous.

Hope someone who has the mechanical means and space can restore it.

I take it its MOT and tax exempt?

James.