Hello, I thought I'd post this up as it might be of intrest. Finally, the body work on my 1970 Buick Wildcat is done. Now I just have to pick it up and get it back to Edmonton somehow, the shop is in Edson BTW. (about 150kms away) Background: The car was purchased by my Dad new off the lot in Feb. 1970. He drove it daily until 1983, parked it in the grass and promptly forgot about it. He refused quite a few offers to buy it over the years and there it sat until 2003 when I decided to pull it out of the weeds to see if I could resurrect it. Surprisingly, the only things it needed to start up was a new battery and some gas in the tank after I fogged the cylinders. I spent a week of summer leave and ~$600 to get it roadworthy enough to drive it 400kms to Edmonton. It sat in my parking lot for a few years while I planned what I wanted to do to it and figure out a way to pay for the restoration. The opportunity to pay for the bodywork came with my tour in Afganistan, so I dropped the car off at a body shop in Edson that a friend of mine works at and went on tour. Next step is the interior of the car. Specs: 1970 Buick Wildcat 2 door sport coupe, fire red paint with white vinyl top. 455ci 370hp@4600rpm/510lb tq@2800rpm TH400 3 speed auto 3.07:1 rear ratio before pics: Progress pics: After pics to follow.....
Geat pics, keep us posted. This past July I pulled out my 1970 electra after 15 years of storage (the car has been in the family since 1973). Completed all the mechanicals this summer and will be looking to start on the sheet metal this spring, I will be able to complete the rest of the body work on my own, but the welding of new sheet metal I am going to send out. Once the body is done I have my eye on a new set of heads and intake from TA performance.
Well here's an update: I drove down to the shop to pay for everything and to take a look/ pictures. Wow, what a transformation. It's hard to tell it was just a rusty old car a few months ago. The color is Torch Red, a little different than the original Fire Red, but you would have to have two cars side by side to tell. The original paint code would have added about $1000 to the bill (expensive paint) and I can spend that money elswhere. The top is painted white, but I'll eventually get a vinyl top for it. The only problem is that I didn't have any way to get it home, so It'll have to stay there a while longer. Here's some pictures that I took:
RATT7 Wow that is one beautiful car What is the paint code? I just decided to keep my 70 Wildcat after looking at your ride. I was pondering the thought of selling it or changing colors. Your ride has insprired me. 70Cat : your car is a good example of why these babies need to be restored. Nice work! Did you plan on putting Buick rallye's on it?
Cat Bumper Trishield Frank - notice the coveted front bumper Tri Shield emblem ? Great looking Cat, nice job ! :beer :TU:
Yes, the shop that I got the bodywork done has a Riviera GS in their wrecking yard out back. The car's been gutted but still has an exellent set of rallyes that are begging to be liberated, just needs some trishield caps. Also I'm thinking that the rear end should have a 3.42 posi. Does anyone know if the internals will fit in the Wildcat? Also, the trishield emblem on the front of my Wildcat isn't in very good shape either. It'll have to do until I can find a good replacement later on(been keeping track on the discussions in another thread).
Very nice Wildcat(And Electra!) I like GS's just fine, but my heart of hearts like the big boats best. I had a 1970 Wildcat 4 door, 47K when I bought it. Even it's Tri Shield emblem was missing. They just don't hold up! Wish more people liked this cars, then there would be repro parts for them as well. Some just want the motors. There was a beautiful light green 2 Door wildcat for sale here earlier this year. Guy took the motor out, and tried to sell the car that way, on ebay as well. Never had any luck. REALLY hope it didn't get junked, or parted out. The car was near mint!
The parts can be difficult to find for these cars, I am looking for the front emblem for my electra and that is not going to be easy. There was a specific emblem for the electra and I have not seen one yet for sale. I may go to the Tri Shield emblem for the time being.
Re: Cat Bumper Trishield Yes, just now I did. Still looking! I may just buy a 300.00 repro someday...
