When I was a kid in high school my father bought an early 1960's Benz that had been under a tarp in a garage for about 15 years.
The guy had a 3rd grade education but bought the service manual and did everything from the diagrams.
After the engine and drive train were in A1 condition again he re-did the interior and then painted it dark Mercedez green.
It looked flippin' AWESOME. Except for a few interior dash knobs he was able to replicate the original to a T.
He sold it to a neighbor down the street ( a former Lt. in the Lithuanian Army who ended up digging ditches for the Germans and then got his hands on german papers and worked his way through Germany to the American lines...he always wanted a Benz).
My father cut him some slack on the price because he was a great family friend but still managed to make a tidy profit.
Last time I was back in Waukegan the buyer was still driving it....except in the winter when salt was on the roads...15 years later.
Enjoy your new ride--you deserve it.
