When to say "too bad to fix"

I worked for a private garage started by a father/son team in the '80's
thru' a new owner until '10.That was after a couple of dealers prior,and now another dealer
-ship since.The son of that orig. team said,"the first time a customer decides it's not worth
fixing a detail"(trim,ashtray,dash bulbs etc.),"the car is doomed because the owner no longer
considers the car to have value outside of transportation until mechanically/bodily unfit".I've
found that to be true most of the time,if it is the orig. or low mi. second owner.My neighbors
dad who taught me how to shrink sheetmetal said,"a car won't die until sombody decides to
let it",also true,justified or not.
My friend is the bodyman type,I'm the engine builder type,he went on to
work with a well known restorer/custom builder.They had a customer put 48K in the body
and paint,no upholstery,no powertrain,no suspension/brakes/tires,.....just resurrecting a
'68 firebird from the ashes.No,not a T/A or RamAir,just a car he wanted to save,and could
afford to.Lots of hand built pieces,those might be available now,but not then....notorious
cowl/firewall rust buckets. The question is,... is it too bad for YOU?Only You know that,but
I'm for saving as many as possible these days,so........get busy!!!!:):):)