When is it time to throw in the towel?

The bottom line is that the Chrysler A Bodies are roughly 40 year old cars and typically need a great deal of work unless you spend a big chunk of money up front. You can do restorations economically, but it takes longer, you'll work harder, and if you don't have the patience, you'll probably give up long before you are anywhere near completion.

If you LOVE the car, stick with it. You can take an auto-body course at a local community college or ask a friend to help. If you don't have a personal attachement to the car, I recommend you "throw in the towel" and sell to someone who does.