A good body is a good body, dosen't matter if it cost you $38k to fix a rough one or $10k to paint a good one, really though a body with the good original panels is worth more then a rebuilt car in my view. By the time you replace chrome, rubbers glass etc , the car will cost you plenty, I don't know what you paid for it to start with, but by the time you pay someone $1Ok for a quick engine, plus what ever suspension and gearbox ( tremec etc will cost you $5k to fit) wheels etc etc you decide to run, the car will cost you $60-80K I reckon easy if not more. If you spend good money on the body and paint you can't nickle and dime on the rest. The big dollar Elenors cost, because they are big dollars to build simple as, and they won't have a 289 + 3 speed. They'll have 400hp + 5 speed
You don't make money on this stuff unless you are doing all the work yourself, even then if count your labour you'll be behind. You don't do this to make money, you do it because you love the car and intend to keep it and enjoy it. That's why you build them how you want them and how you think you will enjoy them. You make money out of charging people to build them.
Don't get me wrong you are doing the right thing here, you are fixing the car properly, so that it will last for years, there is no point in doing things by 1/2, totally support you (body kit a side), Just don't kid youself you'll get your money back, in hurry if you need to sell it, that's all. I've been building old cars since the mid 80's, some pretty flash cars to like E type jags etc, I don't pay for labour on paint & panel, mechanical. Ive made cash but really it probably just pays for the labour in real terms. Build youself, the car you want and can justify cost wise and be happy, cause when you driving a kicker car you'll forget what it owes you trust me. But unless your lucky you won' get your loot back. Just think of turning the tyres in 3rd gear and you'll be fine.
