Any old car it seems (I'm talking 1960-1978ish, fords, holdens and chryslers), that you buy for under a few grand (at the very least) need major work, so unless he had about eight thousand to spend, he'd have to be doing work! And that eight thousand still wouldn't guarantee him a good car. $500 is a pretty good place to start.

Rare spares are a great place, unfortunately sometimes the people that work there don't know about old cars, its just a job (just like anywhere). So, if he goes to RS, I hope he can find someone passionate, or at the very least, knowledgable and willing to help.

Also, it'd be worth joining a car club, I'll talk to the Man, see which one he thinks would be best. Most clubs now are very family based, and you'll often see a bunch of kids piling out of cars at runs, or baby seats bolted in the back of old monaros and the like at car shows. They also love to share info, and sometimes you can come across parts that you need that can't find anywhere else, etc. And finally, when the HG is going, and he has his licence, I am positive that DS will love going on club cruises here there and everywhere, in a convoy of similar classics, turning heads, and getting waves and smiles.

I, and the Man, are more than happy to talk and work old cars, all day. Glad to share the love!