Bodyshop #2....

John, I have had the same fears about my 69 cuda. I have already done a great deal of work myself. I borrowed my friends rack and put the cuda on it. I had the whole car sandblasted (@600.00) then I preped and primed the entire car myself, and I put ALL but the outer panels in paint (guessing @500.00). Of course did all the work under the guidence of my friend at his bodyshop. So when the car was ready to go back to the body shop for paint all they had to do was do the finish body work dents & dings etc, as there is No rust. I had two shops that said they would finish it for $6000.00. One of which was my friend. I also had a couple guys much higher. Speaking from his point of view there is a lot of work involved in a resto. He feels he will have around 200hrs to FINISH mine. If you figure $30.00 hr at 200 hrs thats still $6k and most shops charge more like $50.00 an hr and if you need rust repair etc. you may have much more time! I suggest that you do what I did and complete as much of it yourself as you can. You can save a lot by stripping the car apart etc and reassembling it yourself. Get the car to a point wherever that may be, and let the pros do the rest! It will be worth it in the long run when its finished! Do however shop around and ask to see the shops work and photos of other restos they have done. The last thing you want is some mako shop working on your ride! Good luck!