Man, when I was a kid my mom had a 82 Escort Wagon and then an 86 Escort GT. I have a soft spot for those cars. What they lack in "sportiness" they make up in praticality.
By definition, your car is a hot rod. A discarded car, repaired and modified with a larger than stock engine to increase performance. I am also diggin on that CAI you have fabbed up there.
That shows the same spirit displayed by the likes of Vic Edlebrock Sr., Dean Moon, Mickey Thompson, Smokey Yunick, Clay Smith, Blackie Gejeian, Alex Xydias and countless others. Your car is definately more of a hot rod than the spoiled teenager, who had daddy buy him a new Mustang, then had daddy pay for a shop to bolt on some goodies. A lot of people have become jaded by the quickness and ease of driving a new performance car has. A new Camaro at 85 is quiet and smooth. Drive my modified '65 C-10 at 85 and you know it. I think driving an older car should be a requirement. It make you a better driver and more knowledgeable with what the car is telling you.
The welds don't look good, so what, your haven't been welding for years. We all were born cold, wet with one head and crying. NOBODY was born a master welder, engineer or basket weaver. Look at it as a learning experience. You got some practice and now you know where you stand with welding skill.
You show an above average sprirt to make it yours and learn through trial and error. That is a very special trait in todays world. You will make fine machinst and draftsman. Never take what someone tells you for fact unless they can prove it, never stop asking questions and never stop learning.
I will leave you with this. Before asking a question, trying to research and find it out yourself. You may not understand the answer you find, but you will be ahead of the game when you ask a "grey beard."
C. J.