Bilt man,
I know it's a stupid question but
What would u work on next if u were me?
In all honesty lol
Not a stupid question!
I stick with my assessment of all old vehicles that are being brought back around:
Make it run
Make it stop
Make it safe
Make it reliable
Make it pretty
So, on my list of things, rust falls under make it pretty UNLESS it creates a safety issue such as Fred Flintstone feet through the floor, rotted seatbelt anchors, or rusted of body mounts. Basically anything structural.
You are the one that has to determine what is at the top of YOUR list. I also understand the frustration you feel when you when you see the rust bucket when you look out your window and you want it to look pretty.
Most wives like it to look pretty and could care less if it gets them from point A to B, as long as they look good doing it. That's a big place my wife and I disagree, because she is a very visual person. She doesn't see the fact that I fixed the seals, or changed the brakes, or changed the oil, but she can damn sure see the scratch in the fender from a previous outing and wonders why I haven't fixed that yet.
This is YOUR list.
For me, I always do mechanicals first, but part of that is because that's what I'm good at. I suck at body and paint and, since I have to pay someone else to do it, it hits the low end until it becomes a safety issue. Then it moves way up the list.
Engine operation to make it reliable and something you can count on.
Brakes to make it safe, reliable so you don't kill you, your family, or others.
Drive line, again for reliability
Small electrical such as windows, door locks, latches
Body and paint
Yes, you have a lot of rust to deal with, but you are not the worst on here. I still think that award goes to
@Golgo13 .