Now that's looking just too god to go out on our wet and salty roads ! I'm sorry to hear about your paintwork/bodyshop troubles, I can't help but wonder if they don't feel up to the job and rather than take it on, want to step sideways and away.
Do you have any other options at the moment ? DIY resprays are possible and there are plenty of owners who have gone this route. It's a daunting task but if you just concentrate on one panel at a time rather than attempting the whole car at once, it's achievable. It's unlikely you'll match a professional finish though, and given the amount of work you're doing on the mechanicals it's probably worth seeing if another restoration shop will take it on before taking the plunge yourself.
Brian
