Slim is absolutely correct when he says you should confirm the structural condition of the car BEFORE you buy. You'll quickly rack up the repair dollars on a cheap car with body problems.
You've already said this car needs
Dent Repair
Paint Repairs
Some mechanical repairs
Interior repairs
it also sounds like its been sitting for a while so it WILL need brake and other work.
It's easy to see how a $1500.00. car will quickly eat up $5000.00 or more which may mean you would have been better off buying a car for $6500.00 with everything (or most everything) you wanted.
Bloody hell, I'm starting to sound like my old man!!!!
Buy the best car you can with your maximum available budget. Get in touch with your state club, there's good cars for sale from time to time.
Good luck,
Craig