A quick update with a few pics and some very sad news to report:
The back of the car is essentially finished save for one more coat of primer on the DS quarter and a little more blocking on the deck filler panel. The deck lid and pass. side quarter are basically finished as is the rear body panel, and bodyguy says everything's turning out great.
Remember what a mess this was??
The issues with the rolled edges on the quarters at the trunk channel have been fixed as well.
Now for the sad news;
Last Thursday, Dale Robbins, who was the owner of the shop where the work is being done, passed away unexpectedly. I only knew Dale casually, but he was always extremely pleasant and professional with me, and I am sincerely saddened at his loss.
In light of this development, this raised the question of whether or not my bodyguy was going to be able to continue to use Dale's shop, but bodyguy informs me that Dale's widow has no problem with him continuing to use the shop as he needs, which provided a bittersweet (and quite awkward) relief for both he and I.
Along those lines, bodyguy and I have tentatively worked out an agreement to go ahead and have him finish the rest of the car, including paint. I am now in a quite precarious situation as a result, but given the circumstances (and out of courtesy) I don't want to risk over-extending the car's stay there any longer than necessary.
Bodyguy says he should be able to have the car done somewhere around April or May, which means that <span style="text-decoration: underline">hopefully</span> I'll be able to finally wrap this phase of the project up once and for all.
There may be a few more updates in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.