This is a very common problem with the 390 2V or 4V engine. Besides the choke being pulled all the way out, it generally helps to pump the thottle like mad to get the accelerator pump squirting some fuel into the intakes.
Usually, these engine are very grumpy when cold, believe it or not, even in California. They love a lot of fuel warming up, and it takes forever to warm them up to operating temp.
I've found a lot of reasons for this; all the way from mis-adjusted floats and accelerator pump linkage, to mis-adjusted chokes, to wore out fuel pumps to plugged filters, to crimped fuel lines. Loose jets will also not help the situation nor will stuck needle valves. In Michigan, you will get into the running cold problem, where you might want to put in a hotter coolant regulator.
Some folks put an electric fuel pump on. Some do that and remove the mechanical pump. Ummm, another problem -- on older units -- is the accelerator pump gasket/seal/diaphragm drying up and allowing a suction leak. Then there is the possibility of some of the internal holes in the thottle body being partially or fully plugged. Oh, make sure the dern thing is bolted down tight, and maybe before doing that, slip a new mounting gasket between the carb and the intake manifold. These are quite often bad too.
You can have the carb flow checked at a good fuel shop, or buy a new one. Check/adjust the timing carefully. Check and replace spark plug wires and plugs, also points, distributor cap, and condensor. Make sure the vacuum advance works properly.
Last but not least, you can get rid of the old girl and get your hands on something newer without all the problems of the gas hog 390 boat anchor.
Good Luck!