All the time consuming prep work will be worth it in the end. These donor cars are all at least forty years old and are mostly overdue a thorough refresh. Once done though, your car will be as reliable as a modern car while having ten times the charm. Just driving my moon buggy in and out of the garage makes me feel like a proper hero. On the road it's going to feel like I'm the reincarnation of Fangio, even if I'm holding everyone up behnd me.
Keep up the good work.