I've done a ton of research- so now I'm really confused....

That looks like a really nice car. Get the engine running and clean up the engine compartment. Such nice "A"-bodies are rare. If you cut it up you will be sorry later. Leave the dragsters to the "E"-body owners, and those who have the "rat-rod" bodied versions. After a show, few will remember another "hot-rod", but everyone will remember the Barracuda that looked just like the one a friend had.