Sad ... I think Chase is beyond salvation

[BodhiBenz1987]

I never thought I'd say this, but I think my 78 240D in beyond salvation. I never would have imagined when I bought it that it would be this bad, but even then I liked to think I could tackle the problems and save it anyway. I don't care if it's cost-effective or crazy. That said, I think it's reached the point where I just can't do anything. The rust is end-stage. I'm almost done the work on the front of the fenders and I think they are going to look awesome with a topcoat ... but then I moved on to tackle some of the rot on the rocker panels and the car just crumbles apart in my hands. Underneath the car seems (seems) solid, but once you get out toward the rockers it's a nightmare ... there isn't even anything to work with. I can't even tell if the floorpans are OK ... they look solid and feel solid, but I don't see how they can be given the condition of the rocker that butts up aside them. There's rot on the doors, there's rot in the trunk, all the seals obviously are bad, the carpets are rotted. From what I can see, the frame and structural elements look OK, but what do I know? I really don't want to give up on the car, and I'm not afraid of hard work or learning. But I don't even know where to begin, and don't have any confidence that I can fix any of this. My dad thinks I can do it if I want to, that almost anything can be fixed as long as you don't mind losing money. I'd like to think he's right, but I don't even have a garage or shelter to put this car in, so I can't very well strip it down to seriously address the rust. I don't have the heart to part this car out, or sell it to someone who will, right now, so I'm just going to finish up my fenders and leave it for a while. Maybe I can wedge it into my parents' garage so it won't get worse. I know I was a fool to buy this car, and it didn't turn out like I'd hoped, but even in just seven months of owning it I've become very attached to it. It's a friend.
So ... I guess I just wanted to vent; it's not really like there's any advice to give. I'm really sad about it, and none of my friends would even begin to understand.
Sad pictures:
Under rear of fender:


Rocker under rear door:

Floorboard (the brown stuff is dirt except that one tiny crack near the plastic guard at right/bottom:

Inside the rear, you can see through to the driveway on the edge: