Collision, so Manual to Auto comencing

[Libegar]

I have been a proud owner of a 1988 n/a for the last 4 years. I started with a 924s, which I gutted like a fish and purchased a parts car (86 Auto for $500).

Last week I was rear ended by an idiot who though it was safe to go 65 in a 30 MPH turn. Well, i was going about 28 and the idiot almost spun me off the bluffs (bakersfield CA)

Anyway, I was going to move everything over to my Auto and convert it to a Manual. I have done this before with a ford F150. not really afraid of the job.

Reasoning:
1. was considering purchasing a new one but been looking around and no real prospects for a 944 are around, all are 83 early's and they seem way too expensive.
2. tried to get s few body shops to quote on repairing the quarter panel and all have stated over 2K plus the paint job
3. 924s is gutted may be able to get it up and running, but why? when I have a perfectly fine 86 suto just asking to be ran.
4. all the 951s I have seen are going for 8K+ not really in my price range ( I'm more in the 3500 range.

Mechanically I am confident that I can do this conversion, I also have the time and a full donor car. So...any advice?

also, maybe someone would be willing to help instead and we could repair/replace the quarter panel? I have the parts, and the 944 is drive-able.