I have ran/run into the same delema with my 52 3100. I saw it for sale beside the road and it was in very good "original" cond. and I just happened to be between projects and had a little money. Money that wasn't tied up on anything. So I bought it. After researching a little, it became very obvious what I was going to do. U see I lean more to the hot rod and custom scene so the 52 in an original/restored state was never going to satisfy me. The biggest point I found out though was that I could buy a started project hot rod, 48-53, with all the "hard" work (V8, trans, rear, frontend swap) done, much much cheaper than I could buy outright myself. Not to mention all the work!! So I decided to fix this one up and sell it this spring and then go and buy my Hot Rod. In the meantime it just so happens I ran into a long lost childhood friend- I actually named my son after him long ago!- and he has just what I am looking for!!! He'll sell me a '57 P/U that already has the V8, modern drivetrain and front clip already done. While my 52 won't be a complete frame off resto that would bring 15-20 Grand it is very close to that and will bring enough to buy the 57 and still have some to start finishing the 57. So that's my plan. Here's the thing. A lot of people, including me, will buy things, not only cars/trucks but a lot of things, before they really do the research. The correct truck to buy, to keep, is the one that is already the closest to what u want in the end. Financially speaking anyway. You state that u want a daily driver. That truck can certainly be your daily driver in the "old" configuration. Also that it is pretty desirerable because it is a rare model. Value is calculated by not only $ but many other things. Will u be happy with that or do u prefer the hot rod version? That my friend is the question, then the answer is easy.
