Hey, an Emerson 1232!
http://antiqueradio.org/emer1232.htm
I sold mine years ago, but as I recall the radio was not bad. Not especially powerful as receivers go, but no worse than a typical "All American Five" radio, either.
The first thing I would do is clean the tube pins and sockets, or at least wiggle the tubes on the little radio sub-chassis:
http://antiqueradio.org/FirstStepsInRestoration.htm
I would also clean the mode switch that changes from TV to radio reception. After you eliminate dirty switch and tube contacts, you could try some more serious diagnosis.
It's interesting that your set works without any restoration. Mine also worked except for a horizontal problem.
Regards,
Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html