Just my long winded 2 cents, and we know what opinions are good for :>). I understand where you are coming from. I bought my car when I was 22, and am now 62. Car was beat on way back when, was at my marriage, did tire smoke shows with my kids, Dad helped me with things along the way and taught me. etc. That has value and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The car now is pretty, strong and functional as I chipped away over the last decade. It could have been done sooner but life gets in the way. Decided to make it stronger, dependable and also safe enough to hand off. I am a home garage guy so did my own detailing and interior. But I had the car stripped and painted and re-decaled (76 TA) by a real pro whom I have known forever, so trusted. Same for the engine. For more fun and driveability I did the EFI thing, coil over, lowering, Wilwood etc. and it is a real hoot. Okay. Cost. I spread it out. Is it worth what I put into it? Not sure, probably not but within reason, and because I spread it over a few years, I don’t really care. Is it cheaper to buy a finished project – from my experience yes, but that is moot for you, me and other’s like minded. It’s a hobby thing isn’t it? Your quote, I have no idea what it covers and what needs to be done. It does sound dear if you are looking at the body only, assuming it isn’t a total cheese factory. But for sure, as we have all or mostly all experienced, there will be surprises and they aren’t free. So, check around, focus on what your really want, use someone you really trust and don’t look back. It will never be financially effective, or almost never, especially when outsourcing. If you focus on body only, and have a pretty good understanding of its weakness, maybe go for the body work and paint based on a really good job but not frame off (unless the framed is f—d), and drive it saving some paint for the inevitable chips of being a driver. If it is to be a show piece, then ignore everything I wrote.
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