I purchased a 1968 Wildcat convertible with a 430 about a month ago, and lately have been cleaning it up...it appears the car was very well cared for up until 1981, at which point I believe the car was sold to another person and the heads were removed (damn 455 owners! ). Whoever removed the heads did take a fair abount of care, because everything that was removed from the engine to get the heads off was in the trunk, including the alternator brackets and such. Upon this new owner removing the heads, I believe it was parked (indoors thank god), and forgotten. Over the next 20 or so years, rats and various other vermin made the car their home, and the rug covering the lifter valley and cylinders became dislodged, allowing a few of the cylinders and most of the lifters to rust rather spectacularly. I have purchased another engine for it (I'll keep teh old one, with a good cleaning and a small overbore it'd probably be usable again), this time with heads but no carb. I'll replace the carb with a QuadraJet 4MV, which I believe is the original model. Other than some rust around the fenderwells, door hinge areas, and heavy rust in the trunk ( from sitting about 40 lbs of dog foot, rat crap, insulation, and rat urine soaked newspapers for 20 years, what a joy that was to clean out), the car is in suprisingly good condition. My question to you wonderful folks is: What upgrades are recommended to make this car a truly nice cruiser? I'd like to get some more power and especially reliability out of the engine, but I don't really plan on running it at a drag strip any great amount, being a convertible. I want enough power to not have passing trouble in freeway traffic, and enough to suprise the hell out of any little Honda at a stoplight. For reliability, I've heard an ignition upgrade is recommended, but what specifically? The main stipulation I have is that I'd like the car to maintain a mostly stock appearance, so aluminum heads and intake are probably out, unless you can find a way to stick paint to aluminum. Is it recommended to upgrade the suspension, steering or drivetrain any? Secondly, where could I find the production numbers for Buick for 1968? I've heard this car is reasonably rare, one number I've heard is 3500 Wildcat convertibles made in 68, is there any resources I could use to confirm this? As always, any help would be appreciated.
Ask Buick at THIS PLACE and they will give you the info you need. Goodluck. The cleaning of the trunk must have really stunk. Sorry to hear that. :beer :bglasses: :TU:
3572 1968 Wildcat Convertibles made. Does your car still have skirts? What color combo/options? I'm a big '68 fan-just look below the signature! :TU: David
Welcome to the board, fellow Fargoan! Feel free to post at least a first name in your signature, we're (mostly) a friendly bunch around here. :laugh: I wonder if yours is the 68 Wildcat 'vert I looked at a couple summers ago down on the south end of town? It was a dark burgundy/maroon, in pretty decent shape overall, but clearly needing some TLC. I was really wishing I had some spare room and cash, and it would have been mine! You didn't tell us what you bought for a different engine? Recommendations for some power improvements will depend on what you're dropping in place of the 430. Please post some pics of your new ride too, we're all anxious to see this beauty. If you need help with the process, check out the tips in the "Tips On Using The Board" forum, near the top of the main page. If you don't have a digital camera, send me a PM or email, and I'll drive over in my 68 and take some pics for ya!
Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm excited about this car. It's actually been purchased as sort of a joint project between my father and I, as something to tinker with. He's more of a Impala fan ( owns 62, 65, 66, and 67 convertibles), but I thought the Wildcat was a neat car, and can't beat that 430. The car still has the original skirts, which are in quite good condition I think, although they're not on the car (which is probably WHY they're still in good condition). It's a medium red exterior, with a maroon/burgundy interior and a white top. As for options, I'm not too sure, I haven't seen the car in a few weeks. I'm pretty sure that it has extra gauges hanging below the dash, although those could've been added by the previous owner. I'm going to grab my sister's digital camera and take a bunch of pics next weekend when I go home, I'll try and post them when I return (provided I can figure out here camera). If there's any other info you guys would like on the car, let me know. David - I was told this car was recovered by a bank as payment on something or other, and we purchased it from our local bank. I believe it was from north of Fargo somewhere, originally. -Justin
Upon looking around this board a little more and trying hard to remember what this car looked like last time I was home, I'm almost positive it has Rally wheels (4 in good shape +spare in very good condition, not sure if factory or not but I think so) and I think bucket seats. Were these desireable options on this car? Wow, 3572 Wildcat convertibles made, more or less a rare car I guess. Neat.
Need any parts for your 68 Cat? Hello There "68 Wildcat Owner" I don't know your name-sorry.Just thought i'd let you know i'm parting out a 68 Wildcat 4-door car.It's rusty old heap,but there are a few nice items left on it-like trim,interior stuff,under hood stuff. Let me know if you have any request. Thanks Jeff j72stage1@hotmail.com 270-756-2428
I saw your thread, and was intending to contact you at some point. I was waiting until I got home and was able to take a good look at the car to see what exactly what parts I needed before I got ahold of you. As it stands, the only part I'm pretty sure I'll need is the chrome piece that goes around the outside of the grill on the driver's side of the car; not the part on the hood, the part that goes around the driver's side of the grille. My car had something heavy dropped on it on that corner at some point, and the trim there is bent. Is this piece good on your car? Thanks, Justin
Finally Figured out the digital camera Alright, lets see if I can get this right. Here's my new baby, surrounded by my dad's Impalas.
...but otherwise I like it. It also needs interior work, but I didn't want to take up any more bandwidth than I already am.
68 Wildcat Another '68 Wildcat, and a Convertible too boot ! One of my favorites Justin - you've come to the right place for help with your car - nice ride! Welcome and LOL on your project.:bglasses: :TU: :beer
