FlankerG...
I'm not trying to cause a big dispute about whether his $45,000.00 price is valid or not BUT, you have to consider how much work and material is involved with an "engine minus" build. If it is true at $45,000.00 for everything done except the drivetrain, you would have to compare it to the various GT40 cars that are available in an engine minus condition. To me, as long as it isn't a cheap ripoff pile of junk, but a decent car you would want to drive just minus the engine, that price seems reasonable.
Ask anyone who has built one of these how much time and money it takes to get to that point in their build.
Sometimes you only get what you pay for.
RT