looking for someone to restore a 1978 Fiat Spider in NC/SC

if you were in va i could hook you up with 3 good people.

I would suggest just looking in the local phone directory and talking to guys.  The relationship between a car owner and a restoration shop is a very personal one.  You're going to be giving them a lot of money in any case and you'll want to get references and see other work they've done, check out the shop, etc.