Shaun,
To echo Stewart, welcome! Carriers are definitely not for everyone, but if you're "hooked", you're hooked! Carrier owners are all a bit "off", but I wouldn't have it any other way...
You're probably best to start now in your planning ('scheming', vis-a-vis the wife
). Broadly speaking, you have four basic categories of carrier available to you, each with ascending cash values and levels of work/expertise/time/money required for restoration:
First, there is the basic "lower hull and chassis" carrier. These are common across Canada. Most of the armour has been gas-axed off through the years to lighten it up and increase the driver's visibility. Some you will find still running (highly useful), but it's a big job as you'll have to fashion the armour out of mild steel plate and attach same using rivets (preferred but difficult) or carriage bolts (easier but not authentic). At least there are few difficulties about doing so if you are, or know of, a skilled metalsmith. It's all pretty much flat plate. It's a long-term project (except if your name is "Dirk"
).
Second, you'll find carriers which are more-or-less intact, but with bits of armour cut out in the driver/commander's compartment (for the aforementioned visibility). These are fairly easy to replace if you are, or know, a good welder (Stewart can comment here), and the rest is mechanical or finishing. One of these is probably your cheapest prospect if initial cost is an issue.
Third and rarely, you will find complete machines simply needing complete stripping and rebuilding. If the owner knows the market at all, one of these will cost you dearly up-front, yet be the easiest in terms of restoration. You will probably spend the same in the long run on any of these, overall, but here the bulk of your money is spent right off the bat, and the rest trickled away later. If you have an understanding wife and don't want a years-long restoration job, this is the way to go.
Lastly, you might find something which has previously been restored, is in good to excellent running condition and which requires minimal investment in time and money to complete. These can be both rare and expensive, as those who have taken the trouble to get them that far are well aware of the money they themselves have invested in the thing. You're paying for THEIR time and money, but on the other hand, you have something you can use pretty much right away, and refine as you go along. DEFINITELY the way to go if you have the cash and are not equally as driven by the "restoration bug" (some just love the process).
More thoughts... you'll probably spend the same in the end no matter which option you choose... so really, it's up to an honest assessment of your own motivation and skillset. Finishing, in terms of all the little accessories and knick-knacks (stowage boxes, brackets, kit etc) will take a while regardless; much of this stuff you'll have to fabricate.
Try and get one running if you can... those old Ford engines can be a bear to replace if you need to. They ARE around, but can get pretty pricey if you have to magnaflux blocks and replace everything inside. Once you have a good one, though, it should last for as long as you own the thing...
All for now, I'm sure the carrier owners here will add more as time goes on!
Geoff