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I say buy the car. I had a 1974 144 with well over 280,000 miles and I was driving it at about 80 mph when the engine blew (my fault, the car sat for 9 months and I didn't go over it thoroughly before going all out on the Interestate).
Clutch replacement is easy and straightforward - it helps if you have someone there to help you but it can be done alone if you are careful. While you're under the car (before pulling everything apart) check for oil leaks, etc. You may want to go ahead and replace the rear main oil seal since you'll be able to access it. Another good idea is to look at the tranny before you pull it to see if it is leaking - if it is you can replace the gaskets on it while it's out of the car. Also check your U-joints on the drive shaft since that will be disconnected too.
The only problem I had on my 74 144 (orange, immaculate interior and no rust) was the fiber timing gear disentigrated on me one day. If you're planning on doing some maintenance after you get the car you might as well replace this as well (you have to pull the radiator) and I'm betting this car has the original one. I'm assuming you will replace belts and hoses so to change the fiber gear isn't much extra work (and it will cost you twice as much to repair if it goes out and you have to have the car towed - because it always goes out when you are as far as possible from your house). I believe you can get the gears from any chain auto store for less than $100 -- you WILL need to have a puller tool though to get the old one off. This, too, is covered in the manual. While you're at it go ahead and replace the valve cover gasket. The car has sat for four years - these things go bad.
As far as seeing if the car can be driven, if the clutch has gone out then you should still be able to drive the car. Just get a push off in 2d and drop the clutch (unless it is completely shot to crap you should be able to do this) then just shift without the clutch as best as possible. I'm assuming you can hear the car run?
I loved my car, but live in a Condo in DC and had no way to rebuild the engine - now I have a 72 142.
Good luck.
Mike
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