[streetmechanic]

I'm not sure where this fits in the Phorum- it's sort of a "restoration philosophy" question. The 42-1003 is a simple series-string radio with the addition of a Beam-Of Light record player, an addition that's a little weird by modern standards, but in a fun way. Here's the question: the under-chassis wiring job (untouched since 1942) is surprisingly poor. Sloppy solder joints and rubber-covered wire snugged tight against terminals it should be insulated from (meaning only the tiniest fraction-of-an-inch of crumbly rubber now separates B+ from where it shouldn't be).  Wires to tube socket terminals are securely (and I mean SECURELY) threaded through and wound around- apparently nobody was supposed to replace any parts- ever.  So... do I  do a hogged-up repair job (for example tacking new parts to stubs of existing wires) and put up with my own poor workmanship OR do I (for example) drill out rivets, throw away the original tube sockets, and "do it right"?
  With a little perspective I see this is an interesting insight into what was probably a stressful time at Tioga and C Streets as we were sliding into WWII and experienced help was getting scarce, but I also want this set to end up as something to be proud of, or at least content with. What do you guys do?
-Dave