This is a NLA part. The one shown here is similar, but too long by about 2 inches, and cutting it would ruin it. Welding it would probably ruin the end pieces; the heat would melt the plastic. Maybe they're metal, not sure.

On my 1991 300d, it's the only accelerator ball and socket rod that goes vertically. All the others are horizontal.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=001-070-83-75-MBZ

I think the original part number for my car was 0000706975, with a few reiterations of it with different numbers later.