Hello all. I've had many hot rods and several classic cars over the years but this is my first Buick. This 66 Buick Wildcat is surprisingly original and what surprises me more is that most everything works on it! The car is straight with zero rust. Has original paint and sadly some hail damage. All glass is there and in good condition. It has the 401 Nailhead V-8. The car runs and drives. Does not smoke and the SP400 transmission shifts great. Seats need recovering and headliner has some holes it here and there. Of course the dash pad is horrible and the rear "dash pad"(if thats whats its called?) has been removed. All lights work and the car even has what looks to be an aftermarket cruise control mounted under the dash(its basically an electronic throttle lock i believe). Funny that it works! lol. Speedo works. Fuel gauge works. Cold engine light works(never seen that one before). Heater was not working but i found a broken vac line and got it fixed. Then heater valve started working but the cable that the temp control controls was loose(will look at the other end of it tomorrow). I manually moved it and now the heat works! Fan works too but the dash vents still have all the air so i need to look into what changes the air from floor to dash(and defrost too). Having a hard time finding any vac diagrams or even replacement parts online. Been searching for days. Can't find the rear dash at all or a replacement or overlay(oem look) for the front dash.
Nice! Wildcats are the best. Only a nameplate from 62 (and just a sub-model that year)-70. I believe Buick still renews the trademark on the name, so there is hope! Maybe another Wildcat some day.
@Birdoprey you need to buy the Buick shop manuals. You can get them on CD or get an old paper copy -- they are awesome. I use mine ALL THE TIME. You won't find many restoration parts like you would for a Camaro or Mustang, it's a lot of e-bay and craigslist hunting. Parts are the big expense vs a Chevy. (But who wants one of those ;-) Wildcats are a "mash-up" of Electra and LeSabre pieces so in some cases you can interchange pieces. There is also a Wildcat group on Facebook. http://www.oldbuickparts.com/ is a good new parts source as is TA Performance. The folks on the board have helped me a ton so I try to return the favor.
Wildcats are addictive - just warning you... The package tray (that’s what you called the “rear” dash) material was usually a fiberboard type material. You might be able to replicate it with some thin Masonite and semi gloss paint of the right color. It’s not going to be an easy find. It also sounds like your blend door cable needs some attention too. A shop manual can and often will save you from insanity. If you see one - get it. I spent most of a decade acquiring the pieces for my ‘67. I’ve been able to get spares from members here, and have made some fantastic friends along the way. You’re gonna like it here!
Thanks for the welcome guys! Man, there is ALOT to learn about these Buicks! Definitely needing got get a manual. Takes a lot longer to figure some of this stuff out with out one. Looks like the plastic tabs holding both the hot/cold door and the defrost/heat door are broke up at the control unit. The cables won't stay put when operating the controls so it does not move on the other end. Also there is a vac diaphragm thingie just below the blower motor that has come apart. I think this is for recirculation and fresh air. Need to locate one of those and the two cables. Been looking on eBay and i find a diaphragm that i think will work but not finding the control cables. Of course the flex duct broke when i removed them from where they connect in the center near the floor. Need to replace those as well. Man, i have to say i REALLY enjoy driving this Buick. Takes me way back to when i was little.
Congrats on the purchase! For the hvac control cables, you might be able to do a repair by putting a clamp on the broken end. Here's a screen shot of a Google search showing the clamps.
I was trying to find a premade rear package shelf for you. I have purchased them and they were made by PUI - who makes 65 Custom door panels and seat covers... I have it in the garage, maybe there is a part number on it I can get for you. It has a mesh covering on the board. It looks a lot like the 66 Impala package shelf - they shared roof line so it may be close.
A part number would be great. I assume you have a 66 'Cat? I was thinking this body was essentially the same as the Impala
There's a 1966 chassis manual online at the Team Buick site: https://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/66_chassis/index.php
Congrats... great car! You’re gonna love it here. Lots of help and good advice available. Got the 63 convertible, they are awesome cruisers.... and pretty too. I think all the big Buicks of the early and mid sixties are the best. Best of luck with it. Tom
