[55ChevDelray]

took 55 to body shop 2 years ago. only work done was in march 2010. he only worked 22 hours on it. i had to pick it up last week. this was a friend with a regular paint and body shop. i pay cash and pay as work is done so only spent $700. i have found a classic car restoration shop to work on it. they only take in two cars at a time. mine goes in two more weeks. sad part is i have wasted two years and body was soda blasted and sand blasted completely. have to re-do all that because he never put primer on. $1000 wasted.

I think those small shops take in too many jobs that they can't possibly finish within a reasonable time. It's good that you're not out too much money. A few shops want half the money up front.