Well, you were right on all counts. It is 3 phase, and pretty much unusable, except maybe for an old-style welder. I can't see 8.8 KVA being enough for serious 3 phase work. The hours shown were 86, and it does look clean and oil-tight, but the machine was made in 1984. The guy proudly told me it still had the original oil in it. A wasted trip, 7 hours driving all up.
Ah well, all good experience I guess.