If the pictures aren't enough to turn you away, then yes, rust is definitely a problem for cars that haven't been maintained. This car hasn't been maintained in any way that I can see.
Open the frunk and check the battery tray, the floor, shock towers and the sidewalls for rust.
Open the the engine bay and look for rust in the front and rear shock towers and the side pods. Does the engine look complete? Pop the cap off the reservoir and see if it is pretty full of coolant. If not, the cooling system is probably compromised.
Open the rear trunk. Look for rust in the lower areas of the rear trunk corners. The rear trunk also has a sheet metal false floor covering a fiberglass mat of insulation. That mat has a tendency to hold moisture and rust out the actual floor above the exhaust.
Someone mentioned checking for rust around the windshield. That is bad and difficult to correct.
Look under the car and see if the rocker areas look sound, does the floor area under the frunk and seats look sound?
I could go on and on. I have looked at several Xs in similar condition, every one of them was listed as a part car. As John mentioned, unless you are a great mechanic and body man, this 78 not the car for you. You would likely have to buy a second X to make one complete car.
As an example: I got this 75 for free several years ago as part of a three X package deal. It doesn't look bad in the photos, but it was completely rusted out underneath. I kept the wheels, but ended up giving this 75 away to another X guy to use for parts. He harvested a few things, like the bumpers, the frunk lid and some trim pieces, then junked it.
View attachment 76913View attachment 76914View attachment 76915View attachment 76917View attachment 76918View attachment 76919View attachment 76920View attachment 76921
In the end, I wished I had left it in Kansas where I found it.
.
