Good job!
.. and it looks like somebody welded some sort of rack/cage deal just behind the drivers door, just before the drivers side rear fender.
That sounds like a home made tire carrier. You may be able to change fluids, dump the old gas, open up the carburator and clean out the varnish, squirt a little oil in the spark plug holes, maybe change the points and cap and I bet you will have it running in no time.
.........g
PS: Most importantly, check for spiders!
