[waterboychuck]

Do you have any idea when the 47 last ran? If you don't know then take a battery and a small gas can with you. Disconnect the fuel line from the tank and run a hose from the gas can to the carb and hook up the battery. See what happens then.

It just sounds a little fishy that the owner had to go somewhere when he knew that you were coming to look at the car.

The serial number is located on the drivers (left) side on the upper part of the frame close to the firewall.