Just bought a beautiful 2000 year model Mercury 9.9 hp on eBay last month from a Marine dealer in New York state that is in perfect shape cosmetically and mechanically for $900.00. Yes they are around for sale and many remain in fine usable condition.
I believe that is a modification for as you say...........perhaps a higher hp motor. I have 2 model E's and they both have only the one center brace with the serial number stamped in. Price for this boat seems good so if it floats and you like it.........well...........maybe we got our self a...
Step one......the obvious one is to keep trying to reach the seller. Step 2 is do you know anyone (family, close friend) in another state? Perhaps you could title it there and then..........eventually transfer it to Pa. Complicated a little but it works.
We are in 2 places..........home is Broward county from which we fish the Everglades regions and also Lake Okeechobee as we have a weekend retreat in Glades County where we fish the Lake Okeechobee region. Yes............be fun to get together with these old Alumacrafts and catch a few fish!!
Just completed restoring a model E identical to this one. !950 mfg date on mine. You have a fun restoration project now........I enjoyed bringing this one back to life! Last picture is what it looks like now fully rigged out! :)