Just waiting for a gasket for the steering column and then it's off to the body shop! Decided to do the works...frame off restification, rotisserie, all new sheetmetal, etc. Gonna be a pain in the wallet, but it should be nice when I get it back...sometime this millenium lol!

The body man is encouraging me to take pics of the process, so I will try to post them as I get them.

Gary

Every time I hear of the long wait of restoration time in some shops I wonder how a few unprofessional guys (chop shop / car thieves) can do amazing reconstruction in a few hours at night. I think the billing is way too high at legal places. Maybe I ought to talk to some of the prison guard friends and see if any car thieves can be employeed after release and be paid in beer. I'd throw cash in also. I think my fear of body shops is higher than criminals. At least I'd know the real laborers are getting the profit. Worse yet the guys fresh out of prison racing my car around town after derusting it would be good jokes. Guess I better not include bail in the deal. Although I'd spring for bail if there's an aluminum 427 in the deal :D ramble ramble ramble
Good luck on a quick turn around MangeMD. May the force and primer be with you.

Another option, and I'm sure I'll hear it from y'all, but vocational schools will take your car and finish it for just the price of supplies. Depending on when you get them the car during the school year/semester, they might have the car for just as long as a shop would or you might get it back in a semester or two.

I have seen some really good work done by tech schools. Recently a friend of mine had his 91 Z painted and had them add ghost flames. It turned out perfect. I would tell people don't knock it until you try it.

I have been taking classes here at the Junior College for years and found some paint and body classes. I bought my 67 Camaro last semester and replaced front fenders and fixed the rust in the rear window channel. Next semester I will finish the body work and pull her into the booth. Can't wiat. When done it might not be show quality, but I will have done it myself, and got some credits. Is there any classes like this offered in any of your areas? $39 seems like a steal to me. I've learned tons. Good luck with your project.

MangeMD, Good luck, I'm in the same boat. Just got it back from the soda/sand blaster. Gonna be a while till I drive it but it'll be worth the wait.

Scott http://thumbs.webshots.com/sym/na3/5/1/36/72750136kHfrTC_th.jpg