There's always two sides to a story guys and since I don't have a dog in this fight.... here's my thoughts:
It's clear Cndchallenger feels he was not treated fairly and that things were not done up to his standards. He has a long list of things he feels should have been done different or were not done right at all. The list includes a wide verity of items that range from a non running motor to date code correct items. IMO for 20K you should get a fairly nice running car, but 20K doesn't seem anywhere close to what a challenger with show car paint and date code correct parts should cost. Many have spend more than 5 times that to get a date code correct perfectly painted ebody.
Was the agreement for a date code correct show car restoration? Or did they agree he only wanted to spend 20K on the car and do the best with that budget? I have yet to see any documentation of the expectation or work to be preform from either side. I think we should all withhold judgement on either side and do what we do best. Provide the best advice and insight so Cdnchallenger can get his car to the level he wants. As a group there's really nothing we can't solve, fix, repair or restore on ebodies. I look forward to seeing photos as he takes his car to a new level. Next summer will be here before you know it and his plan to do the engine work this winter is perfect. Let's go the extra mile and really try hard to help him with good solid engine advice and positive comments to keep him going.
Have a great evening.