[njsteve]

Are they doing just the body? Maybe around $50K...or the entire drivetrain and interior? Maybe $100k? Does it involve dated-coded correct original parts? $150,000. Does the car have it's born-with drivetrain still in it If not, add in another high 5 figure amount.

Unless you've endured the experience of restoring a 1000-point car and had it judged at a national level, you won't have a true concept of the amount of cubic dollars it takes to get to that level of service. It is well into the 6-figure ballpark. And the vast majority of the cars that go through this never even come close to recovering the restoration costs for their owners when they go to sell them.

For example, any time someone says I want a "BaRrEt JaCkSoN" level restoration, that usually means a slapped-together paint job, full of body filler and aftermarket reproduction parts that look shiny under the lights at an auction but when you wake up the next morning and see it in the light of day, you are really made aware of the term "buyer's remorse."

You also need to get the entire estimate IN WRITING before you hand over the car. You do not pay them for the job beforehand. You pay maybe a 20% deposit so they can purchase materials but then you pay as the work is done and they show you proof and invoice you for the exact labor and materials costs. Otherwise you'll get taken advantage of when they say you'll be paying a set amount each few weeks. That's called Body Shop Prison and they hold your car hostage and keep billing you for ransom $$$$ until you have to repossess your own car from their (probably now out-of-business vacant) shop.

Look around the shop. Are there several dozen cars covered in dust sitting around not being worked on? Or only a couple cars and each one is progressing rapidly with actual people working on them.