?400, off the road for a while MK1... worth it for a newbie?

Here's my dilemma…

I've been vaguely looking for a runaround for about ?1000 for a little while and friend of a friend mentioned she had a Mk1 she was looking to get rid of quickly for personal reasons (I won't go into them here, but they're pukka) and she was offering it for ?400.

I'm not a car person, but Mk1's have always been one of the few cars I've actually quite liked - I'm a child of the 80s - so I'm tempted. I know nothing about cars tho, let alone Mk1's specifically, and though I don't mind spending a bit to get it sorted out initially, I don't want anything that's going to have me spending weekends with my head under the bonnet. On the other hand, a brief look at websites etc. makes me think this *might* be a massive bargain. And I could always sell it if I go off the idea.

Here's the car info such as it is. It's 'about 20 years old', hatchback, and she inherited it from someone who hardly ever used it (to the extent it's started to get moss on it), but had it serviced regularly, nevertheless. It needs a new battery.

Obviously I'll need more info and I'll get it looked over by the RAC/AA, and I've had a look at the buyers' info on this site. But - as a total novice, do you have words of advice, things to look for, inclination to run screaming into the hills?

Thanks for you help, in advance. (I've also posted this on the 'newbies' section, too).

Equivalent to a roll of the dice really, on an old ?400 car.

What model is it? The most important things with the bodywork are in the Buyers Guide, which you've read, but we might be able to help more when you can get some photos up and we know the age/model etc.

Equivalent to a roll of the dice really, on an old ?400 car.

So a one in six chance then…

I'll try to have a look at the car in the next few days and get some pics up.