'50s MOPAR Hemi question

[Tedscj at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/3/99 8:01:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, JRECPA at aol.com 
writes:

> According to my chiltons book the 325's were all hydraulic lifters.
>  The D500 had the hemi head.
>  
>  My question to you is this the best choice for an engine?
>  The old hemi's weight was a problem for acceleration.
>  If it was me that wanted an older hemi I would get the 392 from a
>  57 c-300. Rated at 375HP with solid lifters.
>  
>  James

I don't want just the engine, I want the whole car to restore.  And it would 
be more worthwhile to restore a rare "high performance" car (for the class 
and period) than just any 'ol Dodge.
The guy originally represented it as a D500 with a 354 hemi.  After 
referencing the serial# I now know he was wrong about the engine (325 hemi) 
and maybe wrong about the whole car.  I don't think he was deliberately 
dishonest, but maybe just "assuming" too much.  I don't want to make the same 
mistake.  Especially if I have to lay out a couple grand.  It's also kinda 
difficult since I can't see the car myself (400 miles away).  My friend knows 
about cars in general and can judge condition for me but I need to see it to 
make a judgment about authenticity.

Ted