Motorglider wanted help.

There is something that might be right up your alley,
Kevin! Go to www.barnstormers.com. Look under the
Gliders & Sailplanes for sale. Second page, there
is a Schiebe SF-24 Motorspatz in need of restoration.
Steel tube and fabric fuselage, wood and fabric wings
and tail. Not the most beautiflu in the world, but
once you are in it and flying, who cares! I think
he is a bit high on his asking price ($3800, no trailer),
but it certainly is worth looking in to.

Other options, since you suggested you liked tube and
fabric, might include the SF-27M (there are a few of
them in the US), a one off Bergfalke motorglider that
was advertised for sale withing the past two years
or so in Washington state, or maybe an ASK-14. This
is a wood and fabric, fixed engine in the nose motorglider.
The SF-27M and the ASK-14 are, unfortunately, about
half again the price you were stating you could pay.
I think the Motor Bergefalke was around $12K.

Best of luck finding something to suite your desires!

Steve Leonard
Wichita, KS

PS: I figured you were going to get your rating.
Gees. Sometimes these guys react to your exact words,
not your intent. ;-)