Welcome! ...and that sounds familiar.
(We don't have our own fancy commercial, but you get the idea).
Consider yourself fortunate if you can run into Rich from upstate NY. On the forum here or in person. Great guy and fellow huge fan of the 80s. He could probably show you a few of the in's and out's on the cars and answer some of your questions. Certainly the pros and cons of each transmission type and engine and car restorations.