Overevaluating owner vs. Car pimps.

So, I attended a major car show the other day. One of the cars that really got my attention was a primered 70 340 Swinger project car. It also had some interesting, ( and lack of ) options. FC7 paint, white vinyl top, white stripe car. Black bench seat, 3-speed stick , hood pins, rallye wheels, rubber floor, foot operated windshield squirter, and RADIO DELETE. Also a numbers matching 340 car. The car was Rust free, and the owner had done the body himself. ( The car was nice and straight ). The owner was a nice fella, and a knowledgeable Mopar guy. I asked him if he would consider selling it. He told me that nobody would want to pay what it was worth, he then ( reluctantly ) said he would want between 18-20k. He based his price upon the fact that he could FINNISH the car for another 5k. My estimation is the car was about 15 k away from being PROPERLY restored. He asked me what I thought the car was worth, as it sat. He told me not to worry about offending him, and to be honest. I told him I would feel comfortable at 10 k. He said a lot of guys showed interest, and a few guys were offering $4500- 5000 for it. My buddy who was with me, has had his eye on this car for a couple of years, and wants to be into it for about 7k. It just made me stop and think. Who is worse to deal with, the OVEREVALUATING owner, who does not really want to sell, or the car pimps who wanted the car for 5k, only to sell it on kijiji for 10k ?