63 Wildcat

[LAST1987GN]

I have a 1963 Buick Wildcat 4 door hardtop (4639), been trying to replace the cracked windshield, I have purchased a windshield from Pro-Source, who claimed that it was the right one, it wasn't. Had the glass guy locate a second one and that was not the right one. Located one from a 63 LeSabre 4 door and that one is the same as the first two, but not the right one for my car.
Does that make my Wildcat an oddball? Is there something I am missing here?
What windshields are interchangeable with 1963 Wildcat? :Dou:

[flynbuick]

A Wildcat in 63 was a 4600 series Buick. The only other member of that series was what was left of the Invicta line that was being phased out. The sole Invicta left was the Invicta station wagon. Any chance that you could check to see if there is a listing for it and if it is different than for the LeSabre you might consider it.

[LAST1987GN]

It's been like 3 weeks and still no luck with a windshield for the 63 Wildcat, everything that we have seen or aquired appears to be too short and wider than the windshield on the car. The car is a 4639 model which is a 4 door hardtop. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[wildcat1562]

i have a 63 wildcat 4dr here
windshield was good last time i looked at it
but shipping it would be a problem
where are you located
Greg

[LAST1987GN]

Greg

I'm in the State of New York, and yes shipping would be a problem. It would have to be shipped by freight and would need a crate for the windshield. Is your 4 door a hardtop? I checked a 64 LeSabre and they were not interchangeable.

[buickgs400]

I have a windshield from a 64 Wildcat 2dr...if you know it fits, you can have it.

[Nailhead]

According to Hollander the following windshields (Hollander #2340) will fit your car:

63-64 LeSabre & Wildcat 4 dr hardtop
Cadillac 63-64 2 dr hardtop
Chev Impala 63-64 4 dr hardtop
Olds 63-64 Starfire 2 dr hardtop
Olds 63-64 D88, S88 4 dr hardtop
Olds 64 Jetstar I
Olds 64 J88 4 dr hardtop
Pontiac 63-64 Gr Prix 2 dr hardtop
Pontiac 63-64 4 dr hardtop

Should be easy to find!

John
:beer

[LAST1987GN]

John, that's what Prosource had told me, but after the 4th windshield I have been proving them wrong. I have tried 2 from 63 LeSabre and 1 from a 64 with negative results (not long or tall enough) Will look at the Caddy and see what happens. Thank you John

[wildcat1562]

i looked it up in a buick interchange book i have
states it as fitting
interchanges w/
buick- 2 and 4dr sedan and sw
63 64 6 window electra 4dr
caddy- 63 64 60 and 62 series 6 window 4dr ht
chev- 63 64 2 and 4dr sedan and 4dr sw
oldsmobile- 63 64 4dr sedan and sw
pontiac- 63 64 sedan and sw

good luck over by you
there is a yard just north of allentown in pa that has a few of these in there as well
the closest big city was wilkes barre
the yard was 3 miles off of 81
Greg

[wildcat1562]

found there card
engler's used autos and parts
1768 stairville road
wapwallopen pa 18660
exit 159 off route 81 west 2.5 miles
1-570-868-3990

[LAST1987GN]

Thanks Greg
That's only a few hours west of me, will try and see if they are the same as my Wildcat, before purchasing them.

[wildcat1562]

i was ther 2 weeks ago and looked at a few of the cars and got alot of parts
good prices for what he has
i mean the prices where right
Greg

[LAST1987GN]

Hi, just posting an update on the search for the windshield for the 63 Wildcat 4 door hardtop (4639) looked at another two windshields with negative results. Everyone that we deal with has the same one that I purchased from Prosource. They all claim that it's the right one till it is compared with the one on the car.

[LAST1987GN]

I emailed Pilkington Glass and they gave me the model number for the front windshield (DW631GBN) that was the good news, the bad news was that they don't have any in stock :Dou: So i'm back to square one.

[Nailhead]

Check your suppliers for a W628 windshield. The W631 is for a 4 door sedan with pillared roof.
John

[LAST1987GN]

John

Thank You, I will check tomorrow and see if I can find one.(W628). I keep you posted. :TU:

[Nailhead]

So have you found the windshield??
John
:beer

[LAST1987GN]

John

I still haven't had any luck with a correct windshield for the 1963 Wildcat, Have looked at a few windshields at some local yards with negative results. I have also emailed several salvage yards around the country and no one has one in stock at the moment.

[LAST1987GN]

Just keep every one posted, I still haven't found the correct windshield for the Wildcat. Ever since the flywheel and pressure plate were indexed, the car runs like a raped ape, it's been fun running down the imports with a 4200 pound car, once I get ahead of them, they have a hard time passing the Queen Mary III. :3gears:

[LAST1987GN]

Keeping everyone posted on the windshield for the Queen Mary III, have 3 possible leads which I be checking out this week.

Olathe Glass in Olathe Colorado
Auto City Classics in Isanti Minnisota
Allstar Glass in Portland Oregon

[Nailhead58]

I think what you're running into is that your car has a unique roofline, and if you're trying to get this windshield from another '63 or a '64 Buick, it's going to have to be another four-door hardtop. The difference is the top corners of the windshield. Your four-door hardtop has square corners at the top of the windshield, while all other full-size Buick body styles have curved top corners with a sharp edge where it heads down the A-post. I guess I'd believe the Hollander interchange that Nailhead gave you ahead of the rest of them, because that appears to be first hurdle you'll have to overcome to get the right windshield; that it will have to have square top corners. I'd check out images of '63 Buicks on Google or wherever - you'll see what I mean. In fact, look at any full-size 1963 or 1964 4-door hardtop versus the other body styles, and you'll see that the windshield shape is unique. The same thing applies to '63 & '64 Grand Prix and Starfires (and Jetstars) when they're compared to other 2-doors. I may be making point you've already considered, but this also may be why these suppliers you've tried are missing the boat in getting you the proper windshield.

[LAST1987GN]

Nailhead, you hit it right on the nail. That statement is so correct, that is the problem, they all believe that any windshield from a 63 will fit.

[Nailhead]

louie,
Call SSG in Richmond VA, 1-800-552-3905 and ask for Justin. They have the correct windshield for your car (W-628) for about $160 plus shipping.
John
:beer

[LAST1987GN]

Thanks John

I called justin and left a message. Hopefully he will get back to me soon. Do you deal with him alot?

[Nailhead]

I've never had any dealings with them--I just did a search and they came up as one of several east coast vendors in old glass. Called and Justin looked up the same number as my Hollander's, which they have in stock.
John

[LAST1987GN]

Hey John

Thanks again, I spoke with Justin and was informed that they had one in stock for the 63 Wildcat/Invicta Model 4639. It should be here Friday or Monday the latest.

[LAST1987GN]

As of today the windshield has still not arrived. As I was trouble shooting the wiper motor, which I been trying to replace for sometime now, I removed it from the firewall and was trying to find someone to rebuild it, when I went to local parts store, holy behold, they had one in stock for 89 dollars plus core. This is the third time that have had parts in stock for the Queen Mary III

[LAST1987GN]

Hey, the new windshield came today, and looks like the right one. Will be installing it next Tuesday evening in the garage, that's when my glassman will be free, guess with all these thunderstorms in the area, the guy is booked solid till next month. Southern States Glass located in Richmond VA (800-552-3905) Justin had it in stock for 139.00 plus shipping. Thanks John for the lead.

[LAST1987GN]

After a lousy weekend due it raining since Saturday afternoon, today was a nice pleasant day and took the Wildcat for a ride, and in the evening took it to a local cruise. Tonight the glassman will install the new windshield and the Queen Mary III will be set till she goes to the bodyman.

[LAST1987GN]

Tonight I finally had the glassman install the windshield it was the correct one (WD628) :beer It gave us a hard time as the rubber seal would refuse to settle in, but after a few hard taps she fell into place. Cracked windshield came out in one piece. Just have to finish installing all the inner trim, wiper cowl, wipers and the car be at set for the bodyman.

[LAST1987GN]

I have a set of Rally wheels I would like to put on the Wildcat. The wildcat has drums up front and the wheels do not go flush to the drums. Could I use 1/8 inch spacers or should I grind down those three little knobs on the drums?

[Nailhead]

I would look for a set of 64 Wildcat chrome wheels which will be proper fit and will have the 2 inch center hole. 65 wheels can be used if you cut out the "register ring" that is welded on. 66-70 wheels will have the 2-1/8 center hole for the large cone type center ornaments, and 71 and later wheels will have wrong backspacing.

Some folks on the board say they use spacers with no problems, but as long as the proper wheels are still obtainable why bother?



John

[LAST1987GN]

John

I already have the Rally 5x5 Wheels, I going to contact the person I Purchased them from and find what year wheels they are, I did not think that there would be a problem since I seen them on other Wildcats.

[LAST1987GN]

I communicated with the person I got the Wheels from and was informed that they are 71 and newer 5x5 Buick rallys. Will not fit the Wiildcat

[LAST1987GN]

I was out with the Queen Mary III last weekend, cruising around when like a mile from home, I broke the power steering belt, which took out the upper radiator hose. Lucky it was cold out and was able to limp home with the car. Went out and got a upper hose and belt and put it back together again. Hopefully tomorrow's temperture will be in the upper 40's, will check it again.

[LAST1987GN]

Yesterday the day was cooperating with us gearheads, took the Queen Mary III out for a cruise, everything was perfect, no overheating, and she was running fine. The battery appears to be a bit weak, going to get replaced by an era correct battery.