Not sure what I'm getting into...

Before choosing a car, you'll need to decide how willing you are to do metal work. I didn't want to get into welding, mainly because my shop is a 2-car garage with two cars in it and so I try to minimize buying large tools. Before you buy, make sure you look at the floor pans, frame rails, trunk pans, and other areas that would need repair for the car to be usable.

I also suggest looking for a car that is stock/unmolested/unrestored. That way you can use the factory shop manual to work on it and you can see how the parts are supposed to go together. If you pick up someone's unfinished project you'll just be lost unless you're already an expert.

Among A-bodies, most people prefer the looks of the 1972 and earlier, but that means the 1973+ tend to come cheaper. The Plymouth A-bodies didn't get the beak that many people find so unattractive (I admit I don't love it on my '74 Swinger, though I still love the car and get many compliments on it).

In the upper midwest it might be hard to find an unmolested rust-free car, so you might have to be willing to get one from far away. I think you'll find it's worth it in the end unless you want to do a lot of your own metal work.