Bobby,
Great progress! I'm probably a year from having my project where yours is.
Your post really brings back memories. I was stationed at Los Alamitos when I was in the Navy, had my '60 F*rd painted in Bellflower, and the interior in that car - and in my '55 Chevy - was done in Tiajuana. I ran the Auto Hobby Shop while I was stationed out there, and picked up a lot of what learned about cars out there. If I were out there now I'd be in the garage today instead of getting 5"-9" of snow!
Keep after your painter! 3-5 weeks can turn into 3-5 months if you let him off the hook. Once you get it back, it's just a little assembly (heh, heh), and you'll be on the road!
All the Best,