I'm afraid that acid like vinegar will dissolve the rust which is all that's left of certain areas.

Sounds like it was a cool car for a budget model.

I'd degrease it and spray what you have with clear polyurethane. Then store it safely along with a copy or two of the translation AND some really good digital photos. That way if you decide it has collector value you'll have as much as possible of the original plate.

R.