Bloody hell! Last time i looked i thought the bill was up to £1500! what else has been done since?

neil beat me to it! that is unbelievable!

He has done me in in-depth bill here is a short summary.

Off the top of my head:
Front wheel bearings.
King pins.
2 suspension arms.
Rear breaks.
A little 'preventative' welding.
Service.
Windscreen wiper spindles.

He fitted my new coil and hood.

Lots of misc detail parts.

Parts 975.55
Labor 1120.00
VAT bumps it up to 2480-27

I have a further work summary which did include the spark plug thread and the low compression.

I don't mind having the work done it is just a matter of raiding my piggy bank and using overdraft for it, may take out a loan to pay for it if things get much worse!

Has he quoted the labour as a lump sum or a number of hours?

He said my 2CV was some of the worst he had seen like the wheel bearings were fully welded in through age. He said he has charged me for a lot less work than he did (in hours). He is very through, perhaps too much so.

Out of interest who is doing the work?

Sam, look on page 1.

John of Dunkley Motor Services in Botesdale, Suffolk

If it's any consolation, over the past 3 to 4 years I've spent somewhere between 2 to 2.5 thousand on mine - and there's still stuff I'd like/need to do.
From the outside it looks no different, as all the work has been focused on getting the structure and mechanics solid.
At least with a thick wad of receipts you'll have no worries getting agreed value insurance.

When you've got it back on the road, drive drive drive the bugger!

While your at it, may as well get the whole car gold plated or ask for hand carved narwhale tusk gearknob, I hear there is a remote tribe of Pygmys who weave the finest seat covers.......

Sorry, only kidding , I really do commiserate with you.....we have all been there.