Wildcat @ the Half-Way Mark

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by mrdibbles, Apr 13, 2016.

  1. mrdibbles

    mrdibbles Well-Known Member

    Hey Guys-
    Sharing a photo here of my '64 Wildcat as it "nears" completion. It may not look like it but we're getting close! I had to post this because anyone that's done their own, or had it outsourced, knows this is a "process" (a l-o-o-o-ng process). A process where moments like this are pretty damn satisfying. I'm very happy with my restorer, he's been awesome, and timing seems to be "June-ish" for the completion date. Never rush your doctor, never criticize the person making your pizza, and be patient of your restorer (the quality of work reflects it) :)
    Matt-

    1964 Wildcat - Chassis During Restoration.jpg
     
  2. Topcat

    Topcat Got TORQUE?

    Matt.....now that's the way to do a Wildcat right !...Looking forward to seeimg your 'Cat done !!!



    Peace WildBill
     
  3. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    That's gonna be one GORGEOUS Wildcat when done. I hope you drive it & enjoy it!!!!


    Tom T.
     
  4. mrdibbles

    mrdibbles Well-Known Member

    Thanks Wild Bill and Tom. WB yours is looking real good! I can't wait to see it competed too. As for enjoying and driving this one... for sure. That is the idea!
     
  5. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    Very Nice !!!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  6. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    Wow .. I cant imagine the work it took to get it to that point. Congrats, and Full Steam Ahead

    .. you were hoping for June 2017, right :TU::Dou:
     
  7. kiwidave

    kiwidave Well-Known Member

    Patience is a virtue. Keep us posted.

    BTW love those skateboards under each wheel. Very smart thinking if you need to move it outta the way to get something!
     
  8. Xporcelli

    Xporcelli Gold Level Contributor

    Looking great Matt! Are the Dual Quads going on too? Please post some pics when the body goes on the frame-Awesome Cat!
     
  9. priariecanary

    priariecanary Stacey

    Is that the 4-speed convertible Wildcat in your signature? looking good...It's the first 4-speed Wildcat I have ever seen that wasn't a rusty pile in a craigslist ad. Can't wait to see it done!
     
  10. bostoncat68

    bostoncat68 Platinum Level Contributor

    If only you were paying more attention to detail :) :) I have no doubt that the finished product will be superior to what rolled off the line...
     
  11. stangman

    stangman Well-Known Member

    heck I like it just like that!!! lol cant wait to see the rest!
     
  12. mrdibbles

    mrdibbles Well-Known Member

    Hey Guys-
    Thank you for all the comments. I'm super excited to get this project done and back on the road. It's been a nut and bolt restoration with every attempt to replicate new. We'll even be putting the inspection marks back where they were. It was amazing how many we found. The only modification we're adding is making this a Dual-Quad car. I'll be keeping the correct 4-speed single 4-barrel and will likely break the car in with that set-up. Carmen Faso is restoring a correct '64 dual-quad pair of carbs right now.

    Here are some before and after photos. I have ton's of photos but as you can imagine many of them are tear down photos.


    Engine (before).jpg Transmission and Shift Linkage (Before).jpg Transmission (after) 2.jpg Shifter (after) 2.jpg Body (Before).jpg Frame (Before) 2.jpg

    Thanks again,
    Matt-
     
  13. Rusty Davenport

    Rusty Davenport Silver Level contributor

    :Brow: Nice!!
     
  14. Who went through the Nailhead for you?
     
  15. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Hey Matt... outstanding job! You haven't posted for a while; any updates? From now on yer gonna be called Mr. Dibbles !! ws
     
  16. mrdibbles

    mrdibbles Well-Known Member

    Hey Guys-
    Thanks for checking in with me. All is good and project is underway. It was supposed to be done by now but can you believe that timelines have slipped. I know... it never happens. I travel up to Virginia, to see the car one last time in primer before paint (to sign off on the body and panels), at the end of August. I still have faith in the restorer, he's a real good guy, and (for me) rushing someone that's restoring a car is something I'm real hesitant of (though it takes restraint). Regardless the new timeline is now the end of September (which means November). As for the motor, per the inquiry, that was done by Russell Martin at Centerville Auto in CA (which happens not to be terribly close to Raleigh NC). The correct manual transmission dual quads are done (by Carmen Faso) and ready for assembly on the block. Photos have been slow because the body work is slow and primer is sooooo unexciting. Soon though I'll update with pics... Probably safe to say we're at 80% now.
    Signed,
    Mr. Dibbles
     
  17. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Hey MR. DIBBLES !!!

    Nows the time to be taking pics too! I often look back to see how things were when coming apart. On the shops' part, Ill hafta agree with YOU. In about '86 I had a boat carpenter working for me for cash money. I'd show up on Saturday and maybe one piece of wood had been fitted. We went back and forth a dozen times and he left; left me with a torn apart yacht! I'm a mechanic and no way a carpenter. I had to teach myself the finer aspects of yacht joinery. ESPECIALLY the fact that it can indeed take a week to fit a piece of wood. Don't Whizz in his Wheaties! Good things are worth the wait! ws
     
  18. 64 wildcat conv

    64 wildcat conv Silver Level contributor

    Very nice! Someday I hope my '64 'Cat looks as good underneath. You've set the bar very high.
     
  19. DeeVeeEight

    DeeVeeEight Well-Known Member

    It looks awesome, the quality seems fantastic in the pictures. I am also fascinated with the "X" shaped frame and how it is joined together at the driveshaft hump. What is/was the theory behind that frame design?
     
  20. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    It handles MUCH better than a rectangular frame as the X allows it to flex for better handling & road manners. Handling wise it can also be much IMPROVED with the addition of sway bars, front & rear, better shocks than stock, a newer P/S box with a faster ratio & Poly bushings in the right places, which will not affect ride but will improve the handling drastically over & above the excellent handling characteristics it already is enhanced with. Except for the front sway bar no one will be able to tell what's been done.
     

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