I was luckier. My LBS had a 26" NuVinci wheel in stock, the original version. It had been sitting long enough with no takers that the owner offered it to me at shop cost.

I picked up a 1990 Trek 950 for $60 at the local Goodwill. I researched things and had the LBS order the NuVinci Vertical Dropout kit and their chain tensioner as thhose were both needed for the Trek's vertical dropouts. Took the shop about 2 weeks to get the items from Falbrook or a distributor. I still got off dirt cheap on the whole bike and wheel combo.

If doing it again I would look for a frame with horizontal or semi horizontal dropouts as they simplify the conversion considerably and make rear wheel removal and installation a lot easier IMO.

An interesting bike but the SRAM iM9 gives almost the identical gear range and is a lot lighter. I have a Swobo Dixon with the SRAM hub.