68 Barracuda Notchback

I'd do some investigating on who she is willing the car to and go talk to them, maybe they are not car nuts and by going right to the next direct source you can bypass the guys at the service station. the service station guys seem to be in the best position right now to acquire it if the relative doesn't want it.
Maybe you can convince the relative how much you really want the car and tell them how you are willing to not chop it up and how you want to restore it.