Welcome! I had the EXACT same look, "WTF do I do with this thing" LOL!!!
You said you were open to suggestions so here is mine. ( I might be biased though) Big block, 5 or 6 speed, brake upgrade, suspension upgrade(both for comfort and performance) and keep the body and interior stock. Maybe even find a set of ralley wheels for a bigger tire than stock. Go with a factory type paint scheme. Then drive the hell out of it.
You would have a fun, fast comfortable and safe car that keeps the original looks intact and performs way better than a stock one ever could.
Just my .02.
