Restore or replace ?

[camkram]

I have embarked on returning a 403 onto the road after it has been left languishing for a few too many years.
The main question concerns the pursuit of originality against practicality -
The radiator has been taken out & a low pressure test conducted revealed it has corroded internally in too many places.
The recommendation is to replace the core - either with a reproduced 'honeycomb' core from a recommended contact based in N.Z, or with a modern core manufactured locally ( Melb.).
The proviso being - It will not look the same but will be more efficient, and affordable.

I might be coming into this late in the day but please bear with my naivety as I ask some pretty basic questions.

Is it each to their own? Or to decide to be a purist or pragmatist?
Will the wrong choice result in banishment to the mongrel section of the car show? Park behind the toilet block - which seems to be the lot of the Bristol driver at the Euro Brit car show in Melb. As an observation....

Next items on the list for the argument to restore or replace , in no certain order will be the brakes, fuel pump, cooling, interior trim, paint work - so many choices that enhance the 401/3 shape.

Still waiting for an outcome on the tail lights that has been posted on this site.

The intention is to have the car on the road and be used as far as possible, not cossetted in storage. That comes later.

Is this question too broad? or too well travelled?
I would like to think I am trying to add to the marque & not to detract from it, so I would appreciate a response.