So did you buy that '76???
I just found this low mile '76 which would be a good candate to do a conversion to 'factory stick' using donor car parts. The 3-speed car you found would be such a donor. The price seems pretty fair for a nice survivor, IMHO. Heck the clean almost mint red interior is probably worth $500.
I would encourage you to rescue it, knowing it may end up a belated victim of the salt belt, otherwise.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tchlink:top:en