Hiya Steve,

Welcome to the club - hope you stick around!
I actually saw the car last week - Richard's become a good pal so I always pop over if he's got anything interesting in, and I thought this just about qualified...
I have to say, I was quite impressed when I saw the car. Paint is good, panel gaps are too, and it seemed a really nice base to get yourself a Stratos replica without having to go through all the faff of building one!
If I was looking to buy it I'd firstly get the cam belt changed along with oil, plugs etc. and then see how it runs (if at all). I'd keep it as is while I got it "shaken down" and had enough confidence it was all good (although I can't see why not), and then look at engine swaps etc.

As Guy says, you're still OK for parts, so no worries there, and Richard is a genuine fella - in fact he's just been over here to my place helping with brake bleeding and aircon hose crimping. And it only cos me a few cuppas and a custard tart! Why don't you go over and see it before you do anything else? It's only the other end of the M62 from you and the Manchester residents aren't half as bad as they used to be, haha!