Hi. Joined a few months ago and figured it was probably time to introduce myself. In terms of my history with Buicks, I was a Buick dealer from 1989 until 2005 here in <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Gainesville</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Florida</st1:State></st1lace>. In addition, my Dad was a District Manager with Buick Motor Division from about 1961 to 1965 when he became General Manager of a downtown <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Washington</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">DC</st1:State></st1lace> Buick dealership. So, Buick is kind of a family thing. <o></o> In the summer of 1967, we took a family vacation to the <st1lace w:st="on"><st1laceName w:st="on">Jersey</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">Shore</st1laceType></st1lace> for a couple weeks. Now, my Dad always drove Deuce-and-a-Quarter sedans - and OCCASIONALLY ragtops. However, on this particular trip, for some reason, we took a beautiful new white '67 Wildcat convertible. As an impressionable lad of 9, I thought this was THE coolest car I had ever seen. I still have a picture of myself and my two little brothers standing next to the front fender of that car at the beach house we rented. <o></o> I have thought about that car off and on for years, but about two years ago I started looking in earnest for a nice 67 Wildcat. This past March, I finally located a convertible that appeared to be the "right" car at a vintage car dealership in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">St. Louis</st1lace></st1:City>. I talked to the owner and we struck a deal contigent on seeing the car in the flesh. <o></o> So, the following week, I flew to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">St. Louis</st1lace></st1:City> to make it happen. I even took my 77 year-old Dad along for the trip. The car ran well and was as described - not perfect - but in excellent condition, all the hard work was already done and it was perfect for MY needs (something cool to drive - and to "pick at" making it better piece by piece.) I wired the money into the seller's account and was suddenly the proud owner of a Medium Gold Metallic Wildcat Custom convertible. The seller asked how I was going to ship the car home. You should have seen his face when I told him we were leaving right away to DRIVE it home! He stammered something about it not having been driven regularly in over ten years and besides, what happens if it breaks down? I explained that I was going to drive it over to Jiffy Lube to have the oil changed, front end lubed, fluids checked and check out the underside of the car. If all checked out, I was going to stop at an auto parts store and pick up a fire extinguisher, fill 'er up with premium and head south. Besides, if she breaks down, I'll call AAA. No big deal. <o></o> To make a long story not quite as long, we drove straight through, 1,000 miles, stopping only for gas and food. The car was magnificent - other than the fact that it pretty much poured rain from Chattanooga to the Florida line - and the windshield wipers refused to work (found out when I got home that the plug had fallen off the back of the wiper switch - doh!) It was no problem though, because I had Rain-X'ed the crap out of the windshield before we left. It also took awhile to get used to driving at a steady speed without cruise control! <o></o> Since then, I have driven the car a LOT - and made quite a few changes to bring the car back more to original. It runs like a champ and never fails to turn heads. I am still looking for some tough to find parts - proper bracket for the switch pitch actuator, hood spear without pits (yeah, I know, probably going to have to have the existing one chromed), front hood edge chrome (mine is broken and pitted), etc. <o></o> If you're still reading this long dissertation, thanks. I look forward to driving my Wildcat for many years - and to participating a bit more on this board, rather than just lurking. ERIC
Great story! That is fine looking. I'll look to see if I have a bracket for the sp. Welcome to V8Buick! Home of WOT!:grin:
That is awesome! You have Buick in your veins! LOL Hopefully some time you'll make it to one of the central FL shows. Maybe the BOP show next Oct. How about the Turkey Run in a couple weeks in Daytona?
Awesome story Eric - thanks for sharing it with us ... and I personally commend you for taking the roadtrip. Nothing like a nice loooonnng roadtrip with your newly purchased prize to cement a relationship. I did the same with my GS (~600 miles) and my previous SportWagon (~2,000 miles) - both went without a hint of trouble and I think of those trips often :TU::TU::TU:
Welcome, great story. I too believe in giving them a baptism of fire and driving 'em home! Did it half a dozen times, an adventure every time, part of the fun. Only had to get hauled once! And it was expensive!:TU:
Great story Eric! Beautiful car too - congrats! I hope to make it up to next year's BOP show - sure would be nice to see that car in person.
Welcome to de board. Lots of cool stuff and cool people here. I got here a few years ago, and it's been great for keeping my 67 humming along. I bought mine in Northridge, CA from the original owner in 1994. I attempted the same thing as you when I purchased the car, my trip was about 500 miles from the San Fernando Valley to the Bay Area. Didn't make it, though. Car overheated in Topanga Canyon. Had to bring it up on a flatbed. Luckily, it was a blown head gasket to the outside which was the cause. Fixed it, and drove the car with no issues for the next 10 years.
Welcome Eric. I'm 50, I still think a 67 Wildcat is the coolest car I've ever seen (I prefer the 2 dr HT though). Wouldn't mind to see the original white Cat photo. Thanks for sharing your story here.:TU:
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I am glad you enjoyed my story. I am posting the vintage 1967 pic of me and my brothers standing in front of the white Wildcat - but, as you can see, you don't see much of the car - and the pic of us boys is...well... ou: Laugh it up guys. ERIC
ROTFLMAO !!! ... Priceless. Thanks for sharing that. Its almost as good as Lisk's childhood photo next to his GSX wearing the too tight DaseyMae's
BTW, I have some take off parts that I am willing to donate to anyone who can use them. My Wildcat came with the front hood trim off of a 1967 Electra. Both pieces are in decent, driver-quality shape - no pitting, but the chrome is thin and there are a few scratches. It was also equipped with the outer grill pieces (outside the headlights) from a 67 Electra. These pieces DO have a bit of pitting, but, once again, driver quality. Finally, I have a set of four center hub caps for late model Buick Road Wheels (71-87?). They are 3 1/8" in diamter and say "Buick Motor Division". Again, if anyone can use all or some of these pieces, I am happy to donate to your project for the price of shipping. Contact me if you need more pics of any of these parts. ERIC View attachment 242115
Welcome from the other corner of the country I gotta like anyone with a like for 67 cats:TU: Love to see more of that beauty when you get a chance to post more pics
Some more pics of Sheldon - as requested. BTW, anyone get the "Sheldon" reference? It's from a movie... ERIC
Beautiful car; great story. Twenty years ago my driver was a rough '64 Skylark vert, I drove it all over north Ga. and into Fl. several times. Recently sold a '68 'Cat coupe and acquired a '68 GS vert. And I drove the GS six hours home. Welcome! Patrick.
