The Norinco is a very serviceable 1911, and often you will see them from $400.00 to 600, used.
Para makes the GI Expert and the Wild Bunch models, both should be found for under 600 brand new.
Armscor, the 1911 manufacturer in the phillipines makes Charles Daly, RIA, ( Rock Island Armory)both are serviceable for WB, and can still be found for under $400 new.
The Taurus 1911 line is good as well, but they seem to be a bit higher in cost.
Certain Springfield models can often be found, NIB for $550 to $600.
If you are ok with buying used 1911's you can find colts and kimbers in the $650 to $800 range every day on the internet auction sites.
There are a couple others that qualify for your "well under $1000.00, but their names escape me at the moment.
As to needing a bunch of work to make them function, I have seen all of those brands listed above come right out of the box ready to go shoot a match, or right out of the box ready to go to the gunsmith for trigger work. Whatever you buy, if it is new consider that it will need about 400 to 500 rounds fired through it to make a complete assessment of how it is going to function.
I have seen RIA's right out of the box with triggers that were unbelieveably light and crisp
. Other new RIA's had terrible triggers...but I have seen the same thing on new colts as well.
good luck with your purchase, and when you do buy the dang thing let us know what you got!!
PC