[herr_oberst]

Make a list, figure out a plan.
Engine, gearbox, fuel system, clutch, driveshaft and halfshafts, rear end, F/R suspension, brakes, steering, electrical, bodywork, interior.

There's plenty to be done here...I'm not telling you anything you haven't figured out yet.

Your car has a good story, so getting together with a Triumph club would be a big plus. Car people can be super generous with time and experience and even parts and tools, not to mention advice. The people at your local sports car club will most likely help you keep motivated and moving forward. (They'll be living vicariously through your adventure, too!)

Decide what YOU want to do; drive a patina-ed car on summer days to the DQ or cars and coffee? Nothing at all wrong with that. Get it running safely. Maybe even just rivet a bunch of old license plates or a street sign to shore up the floorboards. Hotrodders have done that for years.

Maybe as you start tackling one or two of the problems you might decide to budget your time and bank account for a total restoration, the (in)famous "while you're in there". If that's the ultimate goal, a total teardown now will probably save money and for sure time in the long run.

You've got a fun project here.