Actually, many electric stoves are easier to restore than gas stoves. Surface unit switches, except the pushbuttons are more generic than gas burner valves, as are the oven thermostats, except for the oven thermostats on certain Wesinghouse ranges with a very shallow backslpash. Those used a dial with a cable to connect it to the actual thermostat. With gas ovens there can be problems with the thermostats that take a lot of work to rebuild, although it is now easier to find people who specialize in that type of work.
Old gas stoves are restored because for a long time in the 70s and 80s, you could not buy a domestic gas range that was as well built and had 12,000 BTU large burners. Still, the old ovens are small compared to newer ones. Yesterday's cast iron internal piping went to aluminum tubes and cast iron and cast aluminum drilled port burner heads became stamped aluminum. If, however, any of that internal plumbing is missing, you will need to find an identical stove, or someone who has taken one apart, to get the proper parts. Cast iron does not bend like electric wires. If a wire has broken, it can be fixed with another piece and a wire nut. Sometimes a terminal might have to be crimped or soldered on the new end. I have been in stores in Southern California with lots of these old beauties and they are testaments to heavy construction, but old gas stoves with the open space under the burners and the broiler compartments under the oven are far worse at collecting gunk than most electric stoves. While most gas stoves had removable burner trays, many owners did not know how to clean the areas beyond the tray so that could be a real mess with the seams at 90 degree angles and sharp edges. We have rebuilt both and the electrics were generally easier to clean and repair, when needed.
