Keep searching oldskool as they are out there.
A couple of years ago I purchased a 59 Special from another forum member for $5500 that had already had floors replaced, 186 with Aussie 4 speed, HR front end, bucket seats, virtually no rust and had all its chrome in excellent condition (come to think of it Im not sure why I sold it now
I'm looking for something similar myself again (a rolling shell) for another project and like everything the prices have inflated over the years as these type of cars are getting harder and harder to find but if your patient you WILL find what your looking for in your price range.
Ben