UPDATE: Got fed up with the painter after the car had been at his shop for over a year. He finished all the bodywork, primed and blocked it three times but refused to give me a completion date/schedule for paint. I told him I don't want to have to be buried in this car to be able to enjoy it!
So...went down with a buddy's borrowed enclosed trailer and picked up the car and all the parts.
A little drama but a quick appearance by the local law enforcement cleared up any question about whether my car was leaving with me that same day.
It's now sitting in the trailer at my friend's fab shop.
Already talked to another painter who was supposed to look at the car last week and give me an estimate on time/$$$ to paint. Got a day off tomorrow so going to head down to his shop and see what he's come up with.
The plan is to get it finished in 2018 so I can show it as part of our club's 25th-anniversary 12-car display at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona in January 2019.