Possible P1800ES purchase

[Checksix]

I'm looking at an 1800ES this Thursday. I had one previously and loved it. This one is quite tired looking, but supposedly in good shape (73K miles). Some surface rust, straight body (no bondo), faded interior (couldn't see the condition of the seats) and has an automatic. I know that will have to go for sure. Since I owned one prior I'm pretty confident in how to inspect it, but would gladly still listen to the advice of others. I'd also like to hear on alternatives to replace the automatic. Obviously an M41 would be perfect. How hard are these to find and at what cost? Can you mount an M46 to the bell housing of an M41? I know the M46 is for a "slanted engine mount", but when put on a M41 bell housing will it straighten out? Any other issues trying to do this? I think I read some of these have electronic speedometer outputs, what years? Can you still retrofit a mechanical output and will it work with the P1800 speedo? Can you make the P1800 speedo electronic? Use the guts to a matching tranny and house in the mechanical body with P1800 face? I also saw a conversion to use a Toyota transmission, and a Ford T5. Costs and opinions anyone? Any other possibilities?

Last but not least if the car is as described (I hope to give more details after I see it), what might be a fair price?

Jerry