[jyl]

I had a '65 Mustang with the 289 HiPo that would not go much over 100 mph, but would roast the rear tires all the way to redline in 2nd . . . that was fun. Stuff had been welded to the rear axle housing then cut off . . . wheelie bars?

Back in the day, friends had 928s when they were still nearly new. One friend's 2V auto was a dog. Another's 4V manual was a rocket.

I'd get your car running, decide if you live it, then swap in a manual. Note there are, or used to be, supercharger kits for these.