I figured it was time to start a thread on our 70 Wildcat rebuild. As much as we would love to do a frame off on this we just do not have the time or space as we are 2 years in to another restoration (old Victorian). Quick history: My wife had been actively searching for a 70-71 Riv like her Dad had when she was a kid. During her searches she stumbled upon the Wildcats and decided she had to have one. We were going to look at a 65 convertible in Baltimore but ended up checking out this 70 in PA. We also looked at an Impala convertible the same day. (All of the Impala work had been done minus paint and rag top but my wife wanted the Wildcat.) The Wildcat was a 2 owner car and had spent the last 4-5 years in a barn with the trim removed. There were extra parts in the back and 4 new tires. We got it running and drove it up on the trailer (no brakes) and got it home to mid-shore MD in November 2010. We immediately performed a full tune-up, fluid change and all new brakes. A hard line blew and the rear diff was leaking so we addressed those as well and then parked it in the garage for the holidays. We decided to move in to the Victorian before Christmas but left the Wildcat with a friend over an hour away due to a gas leak over the driver's side muffler. Fast forward to March 1st - we trailered the Wildcat home and finally started sorting out the extra parts, etc. Basically 2 sets of exterior mouldings and badges along with extra switches, rear bunper and some other odds and ends. This past weekend I got the ass end up enough to replace the rotted gas lines and got it running again. The alternator was humming a bit so I sourced a new one along with some new battery cables. Also - we decided to pull the "damp" shag (orange and brown) carpet. Passenger front and rear pans have previous repairs. Driver rear looks great. Driver front??? Gone! LOL. We just want a fun cruiser/driver. I've had resto projects in the past that just never got completed for one reason or another. This will stay on the road and get fixed up little by little as we drive it. Maybe some day we will start a new "resto" thread. I will keep the pics coming, any tech I might think useful, problems (questions) and happy dance moments.
wow very cool, I owned a 70 hardtop, I really like that car, nice sleeper, last year made only year with a 455
The weather is beautiful so my goal is to get the windows and top down. The seats are out. Thankfully the wiring has not been butchered. It appears that instead of tracing bad wires running through the boots in to the doors the PO ran new wires from a switch cut in to the dash panel below the steering column. I have a clean extra panel to replace this one. The only other dash damage are two holes where a GS badge was pressed in...my wife wants to cover it up with a "Hello Kitty" sticker. A power antenna was added at some point with power sourced from the cig lighter. Cutting all of this out first. If I get the top down I will post my troubleshooting. Enjoy the day!
My 70 Wildcat is one of my cars that I have the most fun driving. I don't know how to post pictures on line, but I took at least 50 during take down and rebuilding. Louie Soto (Last1987GN) posted some pictures of my car a couple of weeks ago in a 70 Wildcat Convertible thread. Since the car needed a lot when I started, I made some changes, Smoothed the hood and deck lid (made templets so future owner could put emblems on if they wanted). Entire car was stripped, west coast front fenders, deck lid and doors added, too much northeast winters had taken their toll. Rear quarter panels were rebuilt with new steel, inside and outside. Than the car was painted a two stage black. Interior was redone in the original white just as original. Added larger sway bar, new springs and gas shocks. Paint and body work was done by Wheels of Time in Pine Plains, NY. 455 Engine was tired with blowby and severe tail pipe smoke. John Csordas installed a fresh 455 1970 Stage I engine that was mildly built up. He had a friend rework the shift points and than he installed an "Ultimate concepts" higher stall speed converter. Big smile on my face everytime I floor it and smoke an import. Sometimes I get a comment "Nice Chevy", I just laugh and say, not a Chevy, but its faster! My thanks to Louie, who got my started on Buicks (Ford never made a Marauder conv.), John Csordas, Wheels of Time and everyone else that helped me with this car. Bill White 70 Wildcat Conv 03 Marauder 00 Crown Vic P.I. 88 Grand Marquis 69 Marauder X-100 x 6 64 Marauder 59 Lincoln Mark V Town Sedan
I picked up a 66 Wildcat Convertible. Great deal the guy got laid off. It runs great recent motor and tranny rebuild. Everthing else needs redone but it's all there. Can't wait to get it redone with some nice chrome wheels. I love driving it allready can't wait til its done. Why aren't these cars more popular?
Still around. Wow it has been a while. A new job kept me very busy as well as 2 new babies. We are still working on the Wildcat and hope to be driving it more this year. We picked up a new convertible top that will make its way on the car in the Spring. The wife surprised me with my own Buick for my birthday - a 1952 Special. It arrived today. Super excited to take it for a spin. I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday season.
