Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1962 Ford Falcon, national auto dealers, 1962 ford falcon

Question
My grandson, also Harold A. Doede, has a 1962 Falcon, 6 cylinder, 3 speed on the tree. This car is completely original - except the 4 tires he put on it to get it to his home - original miles 948 - this car was purchase in 1962, shortly thereafter the man died - his wife did not drive, but she was going to learn, but never did, she parked it in her garage, covered it and left it set for approx. 35 years, she died, her (son I'm told) got the car drove it to his home, put it in his garage, covered it and it sat there for another 10 years - he came to my grandson, to hire him to do some work to his garage, put in overhead doors, etc., when he was done with the work, the man said Harold I owe you about $2,000.00 - would you take this old car for the work you did, my grandson needed the money, but when he saw the car he said 'OK'- the tires were flat, dry rotted, so he got four tires put them on and the push the car down the block to his house and put it in the garage - oh yes, it has the original spare tire to, not being a mechanic - either of us - he didn't want to try and start it, they never drained the gas, and he was and is concerned on what to do to the engine before he tries to start it up, I can be reached on my cell phone, 602/695-9935, home 623/931-7604, we live in Glendale, AZ, my grandson lives in Watertown, Wis., right now he's driving truck for Swift Transportation and was out here in Phoenix and told me about the car, and asked me to find out if there's any interest in a car like he has.

Answer
Harold, this is one of those "found in a barn" stories that usually you hear about 4,286th hand. The only problem with this car is that it is a 4 door sedan, and that limits the collector value right there. However NADA, National Auto Dealers list the value of a very good 62 Falcon 4 door at about $7500. The near new mileage of this car and if it has not been damaged in storage, like mice redoing the soft trim or what ever, the price could go up from there depending on who is looking when you are selling. As far as getting it running, I would be very careful. All the fluids need to ne drained, systems flushed, and new fluid right down to the brake fluid. Then the plugs removed and about a teaspoon full of oil poured in each cylinder. With the plugs still out turn the engine over by hand to lubricate the cylinder walls and piston rings. I would be inclined to change all the belts and of course a new battery. Make sure that there are no nests in the air filter or air intake or the tail pipe or muffler. The ignition system needs attention and a new set of plugs, points, and condenser installed. This is but a rough outline of things to be done. I use a special rig that I built that fills the carburetor so that the engine will fire and not require a lot of cranking to get fuel from the tank. Then cross your fingers, eyes, and toes and give er a crank. It is going to smoke like heck for a few minutes so make sure that you have ventilation. Good  luck.
Brad