John,
To directly answer some of the questions you asked, your gun definitely needs work, if for no other reason than to keep the crack from expanding. In the shape that it appears to be in judging from your photos and description, a restoration will definitely enhance its value, not diminish it. The question is whether the value enhancement will approximate the cost, and the answer is probably not, as 12 gauge VHs are not rare. At a minimum though, the butt plate needs to be replaced, the crack needs to be stabilized with acraglass and perhaps pinning, and the wood refinished to protect it from the elements. Beyond that, everything else is cosmetic and up to you to decide if its worth the cost. Please post more photos of the gun so we can get a better idea of what you've got.
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