Started to work on it today, dropping the exhaust, but of course got called away for dad day.

Dropped the under engine plastic pan, Broke all 4 bolts to the manifold (of course) But expected that. There is quite a bit more rust under there than I like. Still, as you say, as a beater car for a bit it might be good. The wheels and new tires would go over to my 87 when it's ready, so no loss there. I like the rims a lot better than the stock 87's. I'll just have to see how everything comes out from this point. I should have the trans out tomorrow since I can spend the whole day with the car. So much easier with a lift and the correct trans jack... I'll be using an ATV jack... With my 99 E320, it took me about 8 hours to drop the trans swap some parts around to another trans and have it back driving.

The engine itself is strong, no smoke, no odd noise.. really runs nice. So someone would get use out of it I'm sure. In the video link you can see and hear it running.