Nice, no rust under that car! Looks real solid. Someone needs to tell him that the brake lights don't work.
I was thinking about a 67-69 Electra seats. They started with the seat back locks in 67. The trim on the hood is off of an Electra as well. So it's a bit of a Franken-Buick, but at $15,900 advertised it might be a good deal. It looks clean underneath, and if I'm not mistaken that's a posi axle in the back. Options wise, A/C, power windows, Tilt, AM/FM, cornering lights, and that nauseating and essentially useless "Speed Alert", this makes a pretty nice car. The trim issues with windshield, - common; as are the sluggish windows. The weather stripping on those cars was crap, and the plugs for the window motors frequently rusted up. Top motor is a bit slow, and they had issues with leaks on the cylinders, so this could probably use a bleed or a fluid refresh. He didn't show the top going up; - that's more important than it going down. All around this looks like a pretty good deal, and I sold my Wildcat too cheap.
It also says 455 in the ad on their site: That looks like an A.I.R. pump bracket, what was the first year for that pump on a 430?
It looks like they did not bring forward the power steering pump except for the bracket. Since I do not see an air rail cast into the intake manifold, I would say that that is a 70-1 455 minus the PS pump.
If you were just gonna drive it like it is, maybe put some time into improving the functional bits and enjoy it, I think it’s a bit overpriced due to the hassles its mongrel-ized parts pedigree have created for it. If you were gonna “bring her back,” it’s nowhere near a good starting price. The over painted rust around the VIN tag, the mismatch between the rocker trim and the body at the rear of the passenger side door opening and what looks like questionable bodywork at the bottom of the rear drivers side quarter panel give me reasons to question the car. By the time you get around to replacing the parts that will fail, they might not be easily available. Unless you’re a member here. It’s depressing how many old Buick owners I’ve encountered who’ve never heard of this website or the various organizations dedicated to Buicks. My Wildcat had some electrical and parts issues when I bought it, and if it wasn’t for this site, I doubt it’d be in the condition it is in today.
Joe, I very respectfully and gently challenge a few of your points. I don’t think an Electra seat or a 455 impacts much. The typical buyer for this car is someone that wants a fun car to drive. It’s not a show car or an “investment” like say a 70 challenger. This car or any Wildcat of this era is a terrible investment, it’s about buying a car to use and enjoy. It’s never going to be worth a ton. None of these changes impact the value more than a grand or maybe two. A 455 or a 430...same thing. 95% of the 430/455 engine is identical. It’s not like someone bolted in a SBC. I 125% agree that poor bodywork or rust...is very impactful because it costs big money to fix. Same for windows and top, as they need to be fixed and do require time/labor. If someone has painted and repaired the car in a reasonable manner, they probably have most of these $$ invested. Assuming it’s not a duct tape and foam paint job, or some other hidden nightmare... the asking price is generally reasonable. None of us could restore a car for that... I have been pouring money in mine for years fixing floors, new upholstery, and other issues.
I agree your points are valid. In fact, I have no argument whatsoever with anything you said. My perspective was as though I bought the car, and a few months or years later something happened where I needed repairs. Not having readily available parts is what you buy into with a Wildcat. Adding to that is the “what year did this come out of?” headaches. Sure, you can ask the dealer; maybe they have that info, maybe they’ll guess to get through your call. That all goes towards the enjoyment level alone, since I know (as many other Wildcat owners) that you own one because you’re a fan of the design, sentimental or other reasons, not to enhance your net worth. You’d have to be a Buick aficionado and a Wildcat fan to buy this car; not a casual “I just wanted a convertible” owner. Knowing what it took to return mine to 100% steel, and seeing some of the apparent defects in the photos of the one in this thread just waiting to expose themselves, I would be personally fearful to pay the asking price, and I’ve never minded my Wildcat jumping into my wallet with seemingly telepathic regularity.
Absolutely true. The look of the 2door hardtop 67s-68s just kills me, which is why I bought one. Yeah, it's a minor money pit, ESPECIALLY with Down Under prices and scarcity, and mine is not concours either (but I would never swap out the orig 430). I. Don't. Care. It's a passion play, and I had to spend LOT more rust-busting cash than I care to admit to get it to pass state inspection. But a big ole 67-68 hardtop coupe 'Cat with the awesome fastback roof is a huge statement on the street and I love the looks it gets. I love GS455s too but you know what? If I had to explain at gunpoint why I did not buy one of THEM, I would tell my kidnapper: ''Too small. Boring lines. Twice the price!''
