Don't take on too many projects at once, it could get frustrating really quick!
I agree with the others, take care of the safety/mechanical stuff first. Best paint in the world looks like crap after the brakes fail, and you hit a pole.
Corvette revival is a labor of love. Take your time, ask plenty of questions. There will always be answers here for any problem you run across.
The most important thing is. Have Fun!!

Welcome, and congrats on the vette!

The 72 I now have is my fifth vette, and a keeper.  I got it last month and have started the restoration on it.  I agree that the mechanics should come before the cosmetics. 

I'm doing mine in three stages.  First comes the mechanics.  (I don't have the time or the facility to do it myself, which would be cheaper, but probably take much longer.)  I looked around and found a place I trusted to do the engine and trans, which should be back in the car in about two weeks.  (It's a numbers matching car, so I'm having them done right.  Basically everything under the hood other than the engine and trans is being repalced at the same time, and it isn't cheap.)  From there it's the brakes and suspension.  Then the wiring and vacuum lines.  Hopefully your car won't need all of that, as it is newer.  (Mine was in storage for about 10 years before I bought it.) 

The second phase is the body and paint.  I will probably strip the car myself, to save some bucks, but have it professionally painted.  The time estimates are from a few months to six months.  I'll probably have this done over the winter when I wouldn't normally be driving it anyway. 

The third and last phase is the interior.  I'll strip all of it out before sending it to paint, so they can spray everything. 

Of course only the mechanics will be done before the PF trip.  I may just put a cheap $200 Maaco job on it, just to have it looking decent for the trip.  (Yeah, I know I probably shouldn't, but the paint is pretty bad right now.)  I'll strip the outside and gut the inside for the real paint job this fall. 

When I'm done it will look like it did right off the showroom floor in 72, but handle and drive much better.  I'm not interested in showing it; I bought it to drive and enjoy.  However, since it is numbers matching, I won't be making any major mods to it. 

There are a lot of great people on this site, and a world of valuable information.  We're all here to help each other, so ask away. 

Good luck with the car.  Actually, I've been looking at the 78 anniversary cars myself.  I've barely begun on this restoration and I'm already planning my next vette.  I want a two tone C3, which means the 78 annversary, or an 81 or 82.  Of course an 81 two tone 4 speed would be awesome!  I'll hold off at least untill this one is complete!