Well, after the quote from the metal guy, the project is scaling back a lot.
The initial plan was a quick fix, drivetrain swap and get it on the road. White to cover the sins, and nothing special.

It grew, typical of mission creep, to a full on resto with a dark color to show how straight it was. The cost of a full body/paint is going to be too high. High enough to get the 40 on the road or the race car almost race-worthy. So.....

I'll be taking a local college course on bodywork and applying my novice skills to the shell, get it roughed out and painted White. No Purple, no blocking, not much metal finishing, closer to a cave and pave job.

It will be back on course to be a budget fun ride.