we are close to being on the same page Hero. LOL It's never cheaper to buy one painted and done from a flipper or restorer. The restorer / seller might have to eat a little if they went over budget, but they are always going to be more expensive than the guy painting the car himself that is selling the materials to himself and using his own "free labor." Also like you said these are all just musings. How much is primer, thinner, paint, bondo and sandpaper nowadays? Truly the last car I painted was a 1968 Coronet R/T back in the 90's. It was electric blue lacquer (yes I'm old and was still using Ditzler lacquer LOL) The real finish came about with some ultra-high gloss urethane on top. We made the trunk extensions and lower rear quarters. The rest was a sand and paint. I bet there was less than 2 grand in materials my cost.