New, from Long Island, with Spider questions

[wikkid]

Hello all! Just joined recently, but I have been browsing old posts a good bit. I am currently looking at an '84 FI Pininfarina Azzurra. Completely rust-free structurally, but with surface rust on the hood, trunk and door edges (just along the vertical seam where the door closes against the body, along the rearward seam), along with pretty rough (light blue original) paint generally.
The owner has had it running, but the new ignition key kit is still in the box, and the ignition wires are dangling from the dash.
My biggest question, since I do not yet have shop manuals or wiring diagrams, is how to get a car in this state to crank so I can do a compression test as part of my pre-buy inspection (I'll set it up with jumper cables from my truck, since I assume the battery is dead).
I'd love to keep the original paint color, especially since the interior metal paint is all so good, and I love the light blue/tan combo.
I'll post up specific questions in the more appropriate sections, but thought I'd start here with the above as an intro.
-Chris

[baltobernie]

Hello Chris, and Welcome. That silver-blue metallic + tan is one of my favorite combinations, too.

To crank the engine for a compression check, I'd use a remote starter button ... the kind with the alligator clips? Available at parts stores everywhere. One clip on the +12, the other on the solenoid. Real men have also been known to simply use a screwdriver across the starter posts, but I'm not a fan of that technique.

You do know to remove all spark plugs and hold the throttle wide open,right?

[wikkid]

The remote starter sounds like the thing to do.
First, I want to move it: remove plugs, spray some WD-40 into the combustion chambers thru the plug holes, and push it a little in 4th gear, to get the pistons re-lubed and moving.
Can I get to the throttle cable easily from inside the engine compartment? I had been thinking of using a friend as a cranker/throttle opener, having him sit in the driver's seat, but if I can do this on my own with the remote starter switch and can reach the throtttle cable to open it to full, that would be ideal.

I'm coming from motorcycle mechanics, where everything is in reach.

[baltobernie]

Our moderator and others suggest a teaspoon of ATF or Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders, as opposed to WD40. Don't know about throttle in them newfangled fuel-injected cars.