Paint is expensive, labor is expensive. My painter said it to me this way - “why should I do a discount job for $10k when I have business lined up and can get $25-30k for a premium job”. He also mentioned that it’s his name on the work so he wants it represented as best as possible.
I don’t think the shops are mis-interpreting what you are asking for. It looks like there’s a lot of bodywork needed. Let’s say it takes two weeks of metalwork and bodywork at $175 hour - $14k. $3k for paint (color and clear) and another $1k for primer, sealer and consumables. Another $3k for labor to color sand and hang the panels.
Disclaimer - we don’t paint at my shop so I don’t know how the costs get broken down. I just know that paint is expensive and labor always takes longer than you would think.
For a low cost, down and dirty street/track car, I would suggest Maaco except your car needs a lot of metal work and bodywork and they won’t do a good job on that. They are ok when it’s just scuff and sand.
