we all know there are all levels of restoration and all kinds of priced shops.
if a guy has restored a car before in a certain shop, he has a good idea what it will cost for body/paint work. be it a high end totally 100 % concours deal or just a " get it perfect paint job". if the guy gonna pay a shop to "do it all".? the whole enchilata?? that's where the $50000 bills come from.
majority of people on here I figure that resto this type a car generally farm out the body?paint. the owner pulls the engine and sends it to the machine shop. they pull the inerior and send it off to have the nice repop upholstry and springs done. etc. they install the engine/trans, they do stuff like build the brakes, rear end, driveshaft, front end.... if you have a $80/hr reto shopo do it all, then YA $60000 bill! lets be real.... not everyone has that kind of jack or willing to spend it on an old mopar, rare or not!
it costs basically NO more to resto a big block 69 cuda than a slant 69 cuda. the difference is when rare hard to find expensive parts must be located and paid for..... and the QUALITY of work performed. and who and how much YOU choose to pay for that> AND the initial COST of the project car!???????