[Quinlan]

Since you admit that you (like I) don't have the skillset to do bodywork, I would send the body out to be fixed now, and get to work on the engine while the body is being fixed. Sending the bodywork out while you work on the engine will also free up space for you, and lessen the amount of dust that might be floating around.
Bodywork ALWAYS seems to take longer than anticipated, so by doing both simultaneously you can avoid stacking one delay on top of the other.
Otherwise you could be several years before you actually drive the car.