Well here's the deal now that I got more info - this was a show car over a decade ago that basically sat in the back of a truck between shows then sat in a garage for years so I am guessing there are a lot of dried seals, gaskets, etc. I am not sure how often it was fired up and therein lies the rub, no start in three plus years ;-(
On the plus side the body in great shape for a car that is four decades old.
In my younger years I rebuild a couple engines that included a 400 Chevy and 289 Ford so I am thinking I can do some of the work myself unless it is too big a job for whatever reason.
A friend told me to check out Corvette Connection and C4 hotrods as he recommends them so this plan is coming together nicely!