'59 back to square one

Just got the pleasant news today from the mechanic I brought my Imperial to for the engine rebuild, that his cost alone on the rebuild was going to be around $4,000.00, and that I would end up paying around $6,000.00. I told him for six thousand I could go buy another '59 and swap engines, and that I would be there to pick up the car tomorrow. He was telling me he was going to put in brand new pistons, a new crank shaft, new valves with stainless steel seals for non leaded gas, and all kinds of crap, but the truth is when I got the car back how would I know if all of this stuff was in there? Fortunately the car is in an area where there are literally hundreds of mechanics, so I'm sure I will find someone to do it at a reasonable price. If the going price for a new V-8 rebuild is around $2,500.00, why are they trying to soak me on my old '59, which is much easier to work on? I certainly don't look rich when I go there, on the contrary with my casual shorts and old tattered t shirt, I look just slightly better than some bum off the street. I guess I shouldn't be bringing it to shops which specialize in antique automobiles. I will keep you posted on the outcome of my quest to get my '59 back on the streets again. For an engine which is so straight forward and easy to get at that even I have done minor repairs on it, you would think a mechanic would jump at the chance to work on it, and not charge an arm and a leg. The engine on my Nissan is so crammed into the engine compartment that I don't think I have ever seen a spark plug in there. Oh well, life goes on!