I have a friends complete Mike Bos car with small block advertised for $15K if you are wanting in the game inexpensively. It is a good working car that needs a new home:
http://www.racingjunk.com/post/10673...r-or-TK.-.html
When looking at cars, you want to pull all the panels off. Look for stress cracks in the uprights, drivers compartment or around the motor plates. Look to see if the car has been welded or reworked at all. Unfortunately, you are going to find that a majority of hardtail/slip joint cars will have this. You are less likely to find this on a suspended car. You are also likely to find broken bars on cars not properly transported. Other areas to check are spindles, steering rack and rear end brackets.
Get in the car. Take a helmet with you. Make sure you are comfortable and fit safely. You should sit back in the cage and your head should not touch the top. You want to make sure you can reach all your controls from the seat.
Like David said, I second the idea of suspension. Have had both and will not go back to a slip joint car at all. A suspended car has far more advantage on a track then a slip joint. Throw in dual suspension and you have the cat's ass of race cars :wink: . Besides, you don't hear tires chirping from a bouncing 4-link/swingarm car on a marginal track.
The other piece of advice, find someone to go with you that knows about dragsters. Don't take your group of door car experts. It is an apples to oranges comparison by far. You want someone that has worked on, driven and understands dragsters. Good luck to you.