I see your in ND.  So let me offer up some shops that are a bit closer.

www.musclecarrestorations.com - Ask for John Balow.  He is in Wisconsin.  In high demand and has like a 5 year waiting list on restorations.  Paint might be easy for him to get in.  He has more awards and magazine car then anyone else I can think of.

www.customshop.org - Ask for John Wargo.  He is in Central Illinois.  he will be painting my car over the winter if all goes well.

patricks rod and Trim - Mansfield Oh.  Ask for Patrick.  One of his customers cars was in our SEMA booth at GM gave it the "Best GM" of the SEMA show award. 

Goldesberry Motorsports - Springfield IL.  Builds SEMA Vehicles and everyone of them have been in magazines.

Lobecks Hot Rod Shop - Cleveland OH.  They build custom street rods.

I would say any street rod, hot rod type shop can do it for you for tell you who to go too.  I have a friend here at work who's car has been in body shop prison for almost three years now.  He finally got it back so he could finish up putting the car back together, after he gets it back together they said they would do the final paint, and the final body fit.

I think it is unanamous. Take the car to someone who will do you a good job. I scheduled mine in 2 mos before and they had it a month. During that time I practically lived at the shop for a couple of hours each day. They didn't mind since this was the 5th vehicle they have done for me. In return every car show I enter I leave their business cards out. They have made several thousand $$$ from me. I still stop by and bulls**t with them from time to time and most likely they will get the next vehicle from me.

Thanks for all the replies! It sounds like this must be a commom problem. Aftershark, "body shop prison" is a good name for it!

I have had some good news since my first post though. He has started working on it! I questioned him about whether or not he would keep on it and not work for a day or two and push it back in the corner and got his assurance that once he starts he will stay with it until its done. So we'll see...

I really want this guy to do the work since he comes with very high recommendations and I have seen some of the work he's done, so I guess waiting is what you have to put up with.

I'll keep you all posted, and for sure post a picture when it's done.