What you restore is an entirely personal choice so it’s best to choose a car that you’ll be enthusiastic about getting on the road. Then, if difficulties arise, you’ll be much keener to overcome them. And trust us when we say, there are always unexpected challenges!
The best advice we can give you, whatever you choose, is to buy the best that your budget allows – and one that is manageable to your circumstances. Resist the temptation to take on a Herculean task as a starter project – and bear in mind that larger cars have larger body panels to repair! Buy the best you can, too. A relatively small extra outlay will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Plus, beware modern classics which, despite many being well-supported in terms of spares and expertise, can be quite complicated from both a mechanical and electronics perspective.