I would also say complete Japanese mixtes from the 1980's are a good are good starting point for a project like this. Nice interesting vintage look and easy to get parts and can be found in projected condition fairly easily and cheaply in most markets. If you wanted to go even more retro vintage I notice there are several adds in your area for some fairly nice older single speed cruisers you could fix up.I kinda of like this one. A single speed 39 roadmaster for $65.
http://toledo.craigslist.org/bik/4020240291.html