What can I expect to pay for a first class paint job?

That's a pretty broad question. The current condition of your car has a lot to do with how much prep will be needed. Stripping, bodywork etc.
Having said that, probably a minimum of 3 grand. Depending on color, type of paint..........It would be easy to triple the cost.

My friend just got his 70 painted. Cost was $5000 and he helped the guy some.

About $4500 for me and thats with me doing my own stripping down the old paint.

I would say that it depends on how much body work is involved. Our 74 is currently having work done to it which involves stripping off the primer. which wasn't applied correctly. Then the car needs to be blocked & re-sealed as the sealant was haphazardly applied by the former owner. The front end needs new hardware. The rear end was mounted incorrectly & has to be taken off. Then the rear end needs to be re-glassed & new mounting holes need to be drilled to attach the rear bumper. The rear also needs new mounting hardware. There is an area of rust on the driver's side A pillar that needs to be taken care of. The sidepipes were attached in such a way that its going to be impossible to get the rocker panels back on. Something creative will have to be done with them as well. I think that's most of the major issues. Then she'll be getting 2 coats of dark Bowling green metallic paint. Our estimate is just shy of $10K. 

im working from the assumption it will be 5 grand..  and im going to do all my own stripping and prep work...

be forwarned dave..  im going to ask you a ton of question when i get that far..

[QUOTE=cthulhu]

im working from the assumption it will be 5 grand..  and im going to do all my own stripping and prep work...

be forwarned dave..  im going to ask you a ton of question when i get that far..

[/QUOTE]

Let me know when you're ready! Bodywork is the key, painting is almost anti-climatic