Let's break it down as I have been thinking about this for awhile now:

non-original = non-matching numbers (chasis, engine, tranny), paint or paint color, body panels, etc.

hot rod = larger engine, performance parts.

driver = street legal, no $20k paint jobs, no plans to concours.

With that said, seems like one can throw about $30K (total) into a car and actually get it back these days. Would that be fair to say? Based on a few recent sales the hot rod cars are commanding some decent cash.