Does anyone out there have an idea of the estimated number of these cars left on the road? I met an old feller up here in Maine who owns probably the nicest one I have ever seen and he wanted to know if I knew. He said the one computer expert in his town had no idea either. I told him I would try to find out and let him know. Thanks in advance all!
I believe only 2,000 were actually made. Not to sure on the number left, in 10 years I've seen about 10.
I just got the name of a BCA member who was starting a registry back in the mid 90's. My dad's got one, so he's been in touch with him before. At the time, 1994 I think , he was up to 29 known 1962 Wildcats. I'm going to call him tonight and see if he's till up on things. I'll report back.:TU:
There were approximately 12,000 produced. As far as remaining, that's a good question. Sometimes I think I have the only '63 4 Dr HT Cat left. These old kitty's are getting harder to find that's for sure.
I believe the original poster was refering specifically to the '62 Wildcats. For your '63, what does it being a Wildcat entail? Like what extras does it have? Was it an option?
I know someone close by that has a '63/4spd. 4dr.hdtp. Original from the factory. Many options, including A/C, but no pwr. brakes. Strange!!!!
I'd give an arm and a leg to have a 4spd in my '62. Just out of curiosity, do you all think I'd have to have the peddle assembly from a Buick or would one from any fullsize GM car work? Maybe this could be a winter project :Brow: ?
"I'd give an arm and a leg to have a 4spd in my '62" Kinda hard to shift w/o that arm and leg! I do not think Buick offered any (big car) manual trannie options in '62. But I could be wrong and the LeSabre may have offered a column shift in '62.. Hafta check that! Ted
I know for sure there were no standard shift '61 full size cars. Can't be sure about '62, but if there was I'm sure it's as rare as hens teeth.
LOL, ain't that the truth! Did any of the later Nailhead cars come with a 4spd? I'm assuming I'd have a hard time finding a trans that would phsically bolt up to my motor. Am I assuming correctly? This is definitely something I am considering doing so any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!
In '62 the Wildcat was a trim level in the Invicta series, but became a stand alone car in '63 when the Invicta was dropped from the line up. To me, it was a half way house between the LeSabre and Electra, built for the person that wanted a sporty, but big car. The LeSabre being billed as a family car and the Electra as a luxury car. Wildcats were available as a two door hard top and convertible, sport sedan (four door, no pillar) , and a four door sedan Four speed transmissions were available as options in '63, '64, '65, and '66 coupled with either the 401 or 425 engines. I don't know about other years, but in '64, the base transmission in a Wildcat was a three speed column shift with the 401 engine.
"Four speed transmissions were available as options in '63, '64, '65, and '66 coupled with either the 401 or 425 engines." No 4-speeders in '66; column shift 3-speeds were "standard" but super rare in '65 and '66- less than 100 for each year. If you can find a bellhousing, the trannie is easy. The ones that were in the cars were standard size Warner T-10's, same shaft length as a muncie or Super T-10 as far as I can tell. I am installing a 5-speed Tremec and it bolted perfectly to the 65 GS bellhousing, snout perfect in the end of the nailhead crank bushing from Carmen. Ted:beer
Lots of early 60's pontiacs had sticks,don't forget the 3 speed cars had the same pedals..good luck...Fish
if you want to change the crank in your motor to a 64 crank i have a complete 4-speed set up off a 64 wildcat from petals to shifter for a 401-425 prescottphillips@bellsouth.net scott
Back to the original topic.... I called the BCA member that started the 62 Wildcat registry and have not had a return call.
Kevin, was the gentlemen in Wisconsin? I recall being contacted about the same time from someone who wanted to start a 62 registry, but I misplaced the contact info and never heard from him again.
