have a look at Antique Radios.com..i have been over there to get some info and tips on recaping to bring back to life my old 1946 Hallicrafters S38 shortwave radio.these guys take junk and make it run like new,glowing tubes and all.with all the parts exposed and soldered together keeping something like that running should be easy next to a sealed transistor radio.
if you want something really antique that still works try wine making.i have 10 gallons working in the basement right now.if the stores are shut down i can always have a snort of homemade.