Lippy-
CT Custom did my car and they did an excellent job and I would recommend them without hesitation.
As to the many recommendations you've received to have your paint and engine done locally, I see absolutely no reason whatsoever to have your paint done locally. ERA's painters have been painting ERAs for years. They know the cars and they know what it takes to get a show quality paint job, which is what you get with them every time. They
might be more expensive than a local painter (however, this was not the case when I shopped around, in fact CT Custom was less than some local quotes I got), but this might be one of those instances where you get what you pay for. If you get scratches, dings, or heavan forbid get into an accident, a good local paint shop should have no problem matching the paint- especially if you go with a factory color.
As for the engine, I am in full agreement with the idea to get it done locally if you are lucky enough to have a good and reputable builder with a proven track record near you. And I am in no way suggesting that Danbury won't do a great job, because they have tons of satisfied customers, but the reality is engines break and things do go wrong, and if you don't know how to fix it yourself and have to bring it back to the builder for repair, it is much easier and cheaper to take the entire car to your local guy than it is to yank the motor, put it on a pallet and ship it across the country for repair.
As for tackling this project with your kids, I wish you the best of luck. I can't even work on a lawn tractor with mine because they are always picking up the tools and walking away with them, but they do like to go for rides in the Cobra.
edit:
As for your questions about options:
As others have mentioned get the edges rolled.
Do not get the wheel wells undercoated- you can buy a few rattle cans of undercoating or bedliner and do this yourself for a lot less money.
Do get the underside of the hood and trunk done.
Do paint the footboxes.