First of all, welcome! great to have you here!
A couple of thoughts.
1. You can't possibly restore this car for less than it costs to buy one. So, unless you are really attached to the car (and I know you are) it makes much much more sense to buy a pristine car - which will still cost less. Let the previous owner take the financial hit.
2. If you really must keep the car, get the body farmed out but do the mechanicals yourself. These are super simple vehicles and there is lots of help online and on the forums. If the car is still a runner don't overdo the mechanicals, make it safe, make it reliable, make it clean and drive it.
3. In the above scenario, join a club and start looking for word of mouth recommendations. In my case, I did the mechanicals but farmed out body and paint. I found a retired bodyman who did jobs in his garage just for fun and a little income - much less than a body shop. Recently I met a guy (near me) who does the same to fund his own restoration). BTW in clubs you might find someone who will take on the restoration because they like to wrench cars but don't want or need another car themselves - we had a guy like this in our Florida club.
4. Or look for a community college with an auto body program - they might need a project, or a student might need cash.
5. Finally (just because I think they look prettier) if you are restoring, either convert to chrome bumpers or get the rubber bumpers colour keyed to the body paint - either will look fabulous!