I'm old, and remember when there were all kinds of these on the roads. My best friend bought one brand new way back in '77- very same as yours except it had an automatic and power steering. I'd say keep it- even restore it after you're done the MB project.

I think there was a Diesel version at one time too. You could probably drop in a Diesel engine easily. I have an old book here called "Chilton's Guide to Diesel Cars", and it shows an old Scout that somebody had put a 90 HP 3 cylinder Detroit 2 stroke Diesel into- looked real interesting.

Dave from the North Country