I looked at the gunbroker link, one had a bid, a 97-98% gun, the others I looked at did not. I didnt look at them all. They may gets bids later, I don't know. If one looks, they can be found for less money. It sounds like the prices have been coming down recenty from the buzz online I've seen recently.
You are correct, my mistake, you did not suggest refinishing. Cleaned up rust spots would probably affect value to some extent. The pre-64's had a decent blue finish, and would probaby clean up oK with light rust, the post 64's had a different metal and finish than the pre guns. The post guns don't clean up as well if rusted.
I don't mind using a nice older gun as a working gun, tho his deal on the post 64 sounds pretty good. Of course, I've taken a number of unfired commemorative 94's out and shot them, without the slightest remorse.
I had one 1964 made 94 that had a steel buttplate on it. The checkering was impressed, rather than raised as the pre-64's were. I don't know when they went completely to the plastic buttplates. I used to look down on the "plastic" buttplates, but that's the exact style, other than the size and little nub on top, that the early guns had on them when sent out with "shotgun butts" and "hard rubber" butt plates. I'm thankful they never went to the white line spacers that the other major lever maker has used for so long.
As for improvements for a modern rifle, I wouldnt mind an angle eject 94, one with no crossbolt safety, for a shooter/working gun. The tang safety is easy to deal with (remove), and an older half cock hammer setup can be done without too much trouble. Guess I'm stuck on the Winchesters.