Well I heard from the insurance company today on the final settlement for the car. Totaled of course. Now here is the crazy part. I figured they would give me a little less than market value which is less than about $2500. I actually figured on $5-700. HAHA, they are crazy! If I keep the car they will give me a little more than $4000. Yes, thats right 4k. If I let them have it they will give me a little less than 6K. No where on earth is a super high mileage 1989 300E that needs additional body work worth that much. But I'm taking it! The 6k that is. Kind of a no brainer. That gives me lotsa cash with what I've already got for a nice 560 SEC, 400E or SL500. Not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, even taking the 4k, I can't make the car superb without body work and a new paint job plus the high miles.
Many thanks to those who posted and gave some great advice, I really hate to see the car go to the wrecker, kind of breaks my heart to think such a noble motorcar is going to languish in oblivion. But I would still have to sell either it or the Volvo (the Volvo would go first) as life changes force me to need a truck.