Tyrone's '64 Buick Wildcat

Discussion in 'Members Rides' started by Tyrone, Apr 19, 2014.

  1. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    Yesterday I purchased my dream car; a 1964 Buick Wildcat. Original A/C. bucket seats, center console with tachometer, power brakes, power steering, power windows, and tilt steering. Was a 425 car, but the 425 blew-up in '71 and is long gone. Original Arizona car.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Congrats Tyrone, nice score!!!
     
  3. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Nice Ride!
     
  4. buickbonehead

    buickbonehead WOT Baby!

    She's a beaut' and a console shift too!

    Rick
     
  5. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    Congratulations!
     
  6. 70skylark350

    70skylark350 Jesus loves you unconditionally

    so what are your plans for her Tyrone?
     
  7. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    ever

    First, thank you every one for the congratulations. My plans, '70skylark350', is to get some of the parts (fenders, hood, steering wheel, taillights) I need/ant for it. After that, I want to get it running and enjoy it before I break it down for a frame-off restoration. I would like to get a period correct 425 for it, but my cousin has several 455s backed by 400 transmissions ready to drop in it.
     
  8. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    Thank you!
     
  9. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    I know! It's all that I desire minus the front cornering lamps and power bucket seat. I have a couple of leads on a set of front fenders with the cornering lamps though.
     
  10. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    Thank you!
     
  11. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    Thank you!
     
  12. kevin mcculloug

    kevin mcculloug 72 GS 455 Convertible

    Tyrone, that is AWESOME!!!! Huge Wildcat fan. Pretty much like them since my trip home from the hospital in my folks 62 waaaay back in 1969.:laugh:
     
  13. roadrunnernz

    roadrunnernz Gold Level Contributor

    Good score, especially with those wheels on :)
    Many fun hours of tinkering and scrapped knuckles to come.
    Personally, I'd go with a '66 401/425 and ST400 trans and posi diff (the combo I put in my car) but at least a 455 is a Buick motor ...
    I'm living back in New Zealand and my car is still stuck (stored) in Oregon.
    Eventually ...

    I attached a couple before and (not yet finished) after pics to encourage you.

    DSC_1978 1024.jpg DSC_1980 1024.jpg ratrod 1024.jpg panelshop1 1024.jpg
     
  14. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    Thank you, Kevin McCulloug.
     
  15. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    Funny you mention a '66 401, the first Wildcat I owned was a '66.
     
  16. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    My apologies for not telling how this Wildcat found me...yes, this Wildcat found me. Here's the story...

    I belong to a Facebook group called Abandoned Autos. Photographs of abandoned autos from across the world are posted in this group. You can/will see anything/everything. Anyway, someone posted a picture of a '64 Buick Wildcat in Alberta, Canada and I commented and inquired about it. The following day I received a message from a gentleman in Arizona stating he has one he wants to sell. Couple o thoughts came to mind; "It's probably junk" and "It's probably a four door." I asked him to send me pictures and was I pleasantly surprised when I viewed them!

    Here's the story of the car. The gentleman I purchased it from purchased it from the widow of the original owner four years ago in a package deal with several other cars. After purchasing, he attempted to sell it. Unfortunately, he encountered people who only wanted parts from it...not the entire car. He refused to part it out for that it's too solid. He wanted to find someone who would appreciate it and restore it to its former (or better) glory. Well, he succeeded in his search for such a person.

    The Wildcat has sat neglected since 1971 when the original owner blew the engine (425).

    When's the last time you read of someone's dream car finding them? Great story, huh?
     
  17. BUICKRAT

    BUICKRAT Got any treats?

    Cool story, and a very nice car. Looks like you have a great foundation for a restore, around here (NH) that car would be completely rotted out.
     
  18. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    I know, Buickrat. I'm very blessed that this car found me.
     
  19. flippermtc

    flippermtc Valley Forge Pa- Go Phillies!

    Congrats Tyrone. Good luck with her!
     
  20. Tyrone

    Tyrone Tyrone M Chatman Jr

    Thanks, Flippermtc.
     

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