wait wait wait. so let me get this straight.
you bought a totaled car that is worth $0 right now if you were to try and sell it outright (well, just about) because it has a totaled title. (forgive me i didnt read the whole thread)
so why are you doing all this stuff if you work at\with\near\access to a body shop?
why did you not just CUT THE TUB for the spare tire out of the floor and build a squared tub that fits all your eqipment with sheetmetal and welding equipment.
it just seems like you are doing all kinds of extra work and stuff when you could have just started cutting things up with no real consequences.
seriously, you have done tons of work - and mad tons of props to you. i would just not 'care' about the car as far as resale value is concerned and such.
good luck though!!! if it were me, id build the kicks right into the floorboard.