Sorry to hear that. I only jumped on this because I think I know the engine trans system on this car already, having owned three 1972-1973 4.5 d-jet SL cars, parting one out and still having LOTs of the engine parts leftover still. I did sell the d-jet parts, but still have heads, pistons, intake manifold, etc. That's one thing, but the other is the big one, no rot. If it wasn't for that I would not be buying it. I have learned about rust on a few cars, and the rusty ones have all seemed to be the cars I get running but never REALLY drive, and with every one, I've collected parts for the repairs including the welding equipment, but never actually done it. I think that takes a clear slate and not a pile of other cars that all need little things here or there. I'm using that as my excuse for never starting the welding on my 280slc 4-speed. A better car came along first. So... I know what everyone says... Avoid rust at all costs. But I've seen some nice work done and thought I would enjoy welding. So I ignored that and bought about 7 REALLY rusty cars. None of them ended up on my "keeper" list:
1) 1981 280slc 4-speed (3rd MB purchased, bumped from the "keeper" list by 1985 280sl 5-speed)
2) 1971 250 - rusty, figured I'd learn to weld on it before touching above 280slc, but sold it because I bought 250c cars below.
3) 1970 250c - sold it because I gave up on making it run right.
4) 1972 250c - decided its time to let go with a w108 filling the antique desire.
5) 1972 350sl 4.5 part out - was too rusty to ever consider anything else.
6) 1979 280sl - bought as parts car, but turned out to be a good car, but didn't fulfill any of my desires being automatic, and definitely not pristine.
7) 1973 450sl - bought as parts car but turned out to be good enough to be a driver.
I think I'm going to always want to be improving something, and when there's a massive task of rust repair lying underneath it all, I just don't know if I will ever be able to devote that kind of time to a car. It would have to be "really something", which was almost the case with the 1972 250c I have posted for sale.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=251968843065
I thought a great running stick shift SLC was really something too though:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=251968861407