I dont think he meant that statement defensively! It does show some rust on the bottom left side. Some machines like that can rust completely off the bottom.
Just something for buyers to plan for during their restoration...
I don't think he is being defensive at all either. Or do you mean offensive? He is just being a very typical "old timer" on this forum. What you have is worth little but if he was selling it , it's worth gold. So they start in and tire kick.