When I bought my Pontiac in 1984, I was just looking for anything in my budget American with a V8. Didn't have a clue what I was buying except for noises and rust.
Looking back, I wish I had found a Mopar, for me an early Cuda, Roadrunner or Charger would have been great.
I bought my 1976 Trans Am as a 455ci, I later found it was a 400ci with a ridiculous high geared rear end, and HP that made me 😥, oh well.
But, a few years on, found, early 400 block, 68 heads, 69 crank, forged alloy rods, 3.90 rear gears and a load of other goodies transformed it into a flying street racer.