Has anyone ever wondered why it cost so much to have a Corvette painted? Is it because it's a Vette? I can remember years ago (70's) when I would pull the chrome, strip the paint, prep the body and take it to the body shop for re-paint. Did this on my 63 split window and my 65 coupe (twice). Seems like it never cost me more than $400. But then again, I was buying a full set of factory side pipes from the engine back for less than $500 back then. JUST WONDERING

Part of it is due to the fact it's fiberglass.  Then there is the quality of the paint and labor.  Macco will still give you basic paint job for $400.  That's just light sanding and spray.  It doesn't include door jambs etc.  But it can make the car look good.

Any car paint with top quality paint and prep will cost thousands of buck.  This is in part due to enviormental issues.  The newer paints with reduced VOC (Volitatle Organic Compound) cost a lot more than the older style paints.  The required equipment to keep fumes out of the air cost a lot more.  It all adds up.

Usually, when an older classic or noteworthy car get painted, the paint is done to a better standard than when the car was new.  If we want less, we will pay less.  Most shops assume that a classic owner wants the best.

Then again look at what a new car cost in the 70s and what they cost now.  Frightening.