IML: To custom or not to custom?

["Karl" <karlsmail@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I recently bought a second 1960 Imperial 4 door custom  (yesterday)  I have one in the middle of a full restore.  It is a numbers matching all original.

The second I just got is the same.  Bad news is the engine was full of water over a winter.  Cracks!!!  Now the question. 

Has anyone ever seen a custom built from a 60 Imperial?

If in my position would you purchase a new 413ci and kind of restore it?  (I say kind of because it would be a different engine.)

I ask because I am debating on making a hot rod that is similar to the original to show side by side.  Paint them both the same and such.

Just wanted to hear some thoughts on this.

Thanks

Karl