Ok..time to start looking for a "donor vehicle".
It actually looks like a fairly simple conversion if one can find a 190D 2.5 with bad body/engine. I wonder if a 300 2.5 trany will work..or a 2.2 with an upgraded clutch? Need to spend $50 on a parts interchange book.
A cherry picker, air tools, and a wekend...maybe two are all that should be required.
Pull the engine/transmission from both vehicles.
Jack and block both vehicles.
Add new throw out bearing, pressure plate, slave cylinder, and clutch disc to donor tansmission.
Bolt up manual tranny to engine/bellhousing.
Check to make sure the driveshafts are the same length...and swap if not.
Swap tranny mounts, center consoles, and pedals.
Replace engine/tranny in vehicle...bolt up all.
Sshift boot...etc.
Test drive
Have I missed something?
Oh yeah...salvage anything useful from the donor..and call the nearest salvage yard for pickup.
Is there more?
I'm starting a search. If I find more than one I'll post.