Painting

I'm going thru the process now, doing it all myself I normally come out at about $1500-$2000 in materials alone.
Add on any welding fabrication that may arise and prep work by a panel shop expect some figures of $20k plus.
Or you could do the work yourself and save a massive chunk of that amount.

Not being rude but if that's what they'll charge, I'd attempt to do it myself, there's no way I'd hand over a mortgage chunk for car repair.
You must have friends that can help out and store the car, it'll be a great learning curve and save that $40k .
Also do the car in acrylic not 2pk if you've never painted before, safer and less mess. You can still buff it up to a brilliant shine and will last a long time.

You got the "Can't be **** ed" price.
It may take a while to find the right shop but with some perseverance you will find it.
A few things may help.
Load the car onto a trailer and take it with you. If you just turn up and say I've got this old Escort that needs painting, or show some pics on the phone you'll get fobbed off.
Be prepared to walk. If they do sound vague about the job or start to throw around silly numbers get out straight away, its going nowhere.
Start talking to people at clubs, shows, cars and coffee's. People in the scene will know who the good operators are.
Have a look around the workshop, if its clean and tidy its a good sign, if theres cars sitting around in corners, unfinished, covered in dust, chances are your car will join them.
 
Thats just a few ideas, the rest is up to YOU
 

were you planning on stripping the car yourself?
Take the windows out, interior, headliner, wiring, everything.
If you deliver them as clean and bare shell as possible, you might save a bit.
 
Unless you've built the body up and have done the bodywork already, you might expect some bodywork needed.
I'd love to pay someone to paint my project, but cant justify it and hate paying for something I think I can do better (even if i cant :)
You can get some good results with modern paints, but you'll normally still be spraying.
 
I'm doing a 2 pack  epoxy polyurethane that's design to be roller and tipped.
It means you can do panels at a time, don't get overspray wastage, use less thinners and can do it at home.
Down side is extra rubbing back on the prep coats and few colours to choose from.
 
 

if your going to get it sand blasted, it will need epoxy priming straight after.
 
By the sounds you need some rust work done, so maybe find a repairer first to do the bodywork, then get your quotes from the spraypainter.
 
You might get better responses from tackling it in 2 parts.
Good luck, and keep us posted. Some pics might be a good idea also.