Discouraged

Build your car your way, on your own time, and as your budget allows.
Screw everyone else if they don't like it.
Some inspiration i got when i was younger was from a guy who built his cars from the ground up all by himself. He did engines, transmissions, paint and body, everything himself. The only limiting factor he had was that he was in a wheelchair and did not have any use of his legs. He built all sorts of ramps and stands to allow him to work on these cars. He did excellent work, not perfect, and he was happy with that.
He built primarily Datsun 240 and 260Z's. He drove them all.
Bottom line is, you can do what you set out to do if you put your mind to it and have patience....
My 2 cents.
Tom.