I expect the general sense of the community is: "It is your car -- do what makes you happy."
There is a pretty wide swath that supports customization to make it your own -- like the old Outlaw cars. But as values have skyrocketed, the mood has tended to lean toward keeping it stock -- and focus mods on things that are reversible.
Some of this is trauma from seeing all the shoddy, and now derelict, 1980s conversions of long hood cars that are now very desirable. Slant noses, body kits, flares, etc -- are all out of favor.
I think most would still say to do what makes you happy, but do it with your eyes open when it comes to the costs and effects on value after the fact. In general, cosmetic modifications have significant negative effects on value -- while mods that actually improve power & performance are positive, provided the streetability is not seriously reduced.
Frankly, 142k is not crazy high mileage for a properly maintain '87. You have 18-20k miles before I personally believe market value (or at least salability) takes a serious hit.
Taking your straight, well maintained red cab and converting it to a quasi-turbo look will likely add up to you spending $10k to make a $25k car into a $20k car.
If you do a high quality repaint, you are in close to $40k (including the base car value you started with) -- which is approaching Turbo-look Cab money. But the residual value is about half what you have invested.
Personally, I wouldn't do it. But I like the stock look.
If you get enjoyment out of the project -- and that is your main concern -- then fire away, and have fun. But price Turbo-look Cabs first, and think it through before doing anything with a cutting torch.
