1969 Wildcat has the original 430 cid. Price: $3,000. 1968 Riviera has a 455 cid. Price: $3,000. For a first-time buyer, which would be the better choice? Which one is more affordable to upkeep and restore? Which one, properly restored, is worth more? Are parts readily available for both? Help me out here. Thanks.
The 455 didn't hit until 1970, so if originality is important, the Riv may not be the right choice. Of course the 430 in the Wildcat might not be the original 430, either. Also if the engine in the Riv is being misrepresented by the seller, there may be other issues too. Welcome aboard...once you have posted ten times, you can upload some pictures of the cars to help us out even more. Devon
Buick didn't make a 455 in 68' that I am aware of-its not orig. Just on that I would go with the wildcat.
Thank you very much. That already helps me a lot. I'm told the 1969 Buick Wildcat has matching #s engine and tranny. And now, from what you've told me, I know that the 455ci in the 1968 Riviera is NOT a #s-matching engine. Originality aside, I'm wondering if either have it over the other in terms of more affordable upkeep and restoration. Do you know? Anyone who may read this, if you know, please chime in. I'm trying to decide which one I should get, if either. Trying to make the best choice. =)
Well, I think Devon may say the Wildcat. I, on the other hand will tell you the Riviera. But we might be a little biased.
Yes, thank you. This is very good to know. Now I'm wondering, if matching #s don't matter, is either one of them better than the other in terms of affordable upkeep and restoration?
=) Uh huh. Well, it's good to know BOTH are backed by someone. Maybe I cannot go wrong with either of my choices, short of the engine issue. Though a #s-matching engine could always be purchased for the 1968 Riviera. Right? Still, that is something to think on. Could mean shady business going on.
I did upload many photos of the 1969 Buick Wildcat in my V8 Garage section on here. I don't know how to reference that or ad a link to that in here. Have yet to figure that out.
They're both nice cars. Choosing one or the other based on which may be worth more in the end is a bad way to pick a car. You should feel something when you look at it. Once the original "born with" engine is gone, its gone. The only thing you can do is find a date correct engine- another 430 out of a similar Riviera.
Ah, see, I did not know this, about the engine replacement. Very good to know that it is NOT quite the same thing as the original #s-matching engine that came with the car. Well, I like both of these cars for different reasons. I think what would help me decide MORE is which one is more affordable to own. Which one is easier to upkeep and restore? If both are identical in this area, then, well, I have to decide which one truly DOES move me more EMOTIONALLY. From what I know, so far, the 1969 Buick Wildcat has a lot more going for it, and I trust that situation a lot more than the Buick Riviera. The big difference is, the Riviera is 20 minutes from me. The Wildcat is in another state. Heh-heh. Decisions. Decisions. I'm already getting invaluable info here though. I'm glad I posted. I wish I had done it sooner! Thanks.
If you really restore either one you will be so upside down in the car that you will never come close to getting your money out. Buy the best car you can for the money that requires the least. You can find turn key Wildcats and Rivs for a modest amount. Be patient and consider a lot of cars. Do not buy one without a pre-buy inspection.
That makes sense, about the restoration. I would think that if I got one, and was happy with it, and did a full restoration, I probably would not look to sell it. I would hope that's the case. =) Thanks for the info and advice. Yes, patience IS a virtue. It's never wise to be too hasty. There are lots of deals out there. I don't have to jump on the first one. I must keep that at the forefront of my thoughts and emotions! Them emotions is what gets you into trouble. Heh-heh.
The problem with both of these cars is that they are not well supported in the aftermarket. That makes restoration a lot more expensive than an A Body GM, a ponycar or other "bellybutton" cars. Logic would lead one to think that if the cars you are considering are rare and you have a lot of money in them, that they would be worth more. That is not the case. You will probably never get back what you put into it. If you love the styling and have deep pockets then go for it. As you keep asking about the expense I thought I'd offer my experience.
I see your Wildcat pics here: http://www.v8buick.com/vbgarage.php?do=view&id=23410 Looks petty straight, upholstery job doesn't exactly look professional, but can't tell much from a few pictures. The airbag suspension is a cool setup if done right, not cheap either. I'll reserve judgement until I see the pics of the Riv. Devon
This is really good to know. And very helpful. Thanks. Yes, since I'm not made of money, if I get one of these, I need to get one that needs as little done to it as possible. The upside is, if you want something unique that few to no others are going to have, this fits the bill. So, at this point, that definitely rules out the Riviera. It requires a good deal of work. The Wildcat needs little. It's a driver. Can drive it while improving it.
Was the cat your looking at in San Diago for sale, if so i saw it advertized a month or so ago in an auto trader? If the wife wasn't with me i would have had a look at it, it seemed like the fellow had thousands and thousands in the car and was just trying to unload it. If restoring it means finishing it and painting it that would might make more sense than fixing a car with alittle rust. If you are not a body man, rust repairs can add up quick and as others have posted not much in the way of aftermarket body parts are available... FYI the big cars don't seem to appeal to alot of people especially the last few years when fuel was outragous? I have a couple of 69 cats so i vote for the cat....good luck and welcome to the buick comunity. Gord
It is certainly a big car! =) Yes, it's the one in San Diego. Mack is the owner. Really great guy. He sent me so many photos and gave me so much information. I did not have to drag it out of him like I am discovering seems to be the case with most who are selling their car, which is lame, since they have it for sale, yet won't give you any info and won't send you photos. What the hell are you selling it for if you won't give info and photos? Makes me think they got something to hide. And they probably do! So many out there will rip you off if you don't have the brains to see the truth of it. Something that sounds too good to be true usually is! Anyway, I'm still on the fence about this. I have to go to CA for that Wildcat. And, personally, I just don't feel like being in CA right now. I've already checked out shipping charges to have the Wildcat shipped, and that's affordable. So, I just have to decide to go to CA, then I will check it out, and probably purchase it. The plan is to go there, test drive it, if I purchase it, drive it up the coast to where my dad lives, stay with him a while, drive the car around. When I've decided to return home, have the car shipped, and fly home. The Wildcat will be delivered a few days late. Sounds perfect right? =) It is a perfect plan. Now if only I was in the mood to go to CA. Heh-heh.
you really need to see these things up close, or get someone to check it over for you as suggested above to save u a trip. Why not be in CA, its better than being up to your butt in snow like we are now, good luck Gord
