Well,just got a call from California where my 64 4 speed Wildcat is being picked up. Obviously the driver who called and the previous owner of the Wildcat really got into it.:af: THe driver said he has 12 grandchildren and hasn't been this mad but 3 times in his whole life but still darn near jumped on the guy I bought the car from on ebay. Turns out the brakes that were supposed to be good but needing "eventual" repair to daily drive, where completely shot,both bumpers were hanging on by a couple threads.Then there was a whole lot of other stuff to the point where the owner contridicted himself and the driver said "SO you are not only a cheat, but a liar!" Also the car has been lowered, so all things together the driver played tea total hell getting it on top of his transport.The owner pulled it out of the garage and then hauled tail after the run in leaving the driver to fair for himself. So the driver said it is going to be a extra couple hundred for him to bleed the brakes,get tools to secure the bumpers etc etc He told the guy he would need to pay me that back or be trashed on ebay so it sounds like he held the guys feet to the fire alright, which I probably would have not done right then. I still haven't gotten the "pink slip" for the car since the auction so I hope that is ok. I am used to regular paper titles in North Carolina.Are these "pink slips" correct for California? Anyhow, car should be here in 4 to 5 days so delivery time is excellent since ordered this Thursday. At least the body all looks solid he said (driver) and it seemed to run good.I can handle the brakes. It was definitely an interesting phone call though, it will all work out though.:TU:
I got a similar phone call from a trucker when he was picking up my 67 convertible in Florida. He called to tell me what a P.O.S. it was, and to make sure I wasn't getting screwed. I told him it definately wasn't a show car and I'm sure it needed a bunch. As it turns out... HOW RIGHT HE WAS! But I did find it odd that he called me from Florida before he even loaded it up. I guess your story proves that they must call more than I thought. o No: Good luck with your car. I hope it's better than mine was! :beer
This is the exact reason you need someone that has a good rep to inspect your car before you send $$$$$ I will do it for anyone for cars around here I am sure that someone we all know will do it also for anyone who needs it.... anywhere else!!
They're not really pink anymore (sorta rainbow colored now) but they are an official title certificate. As long as it has been signed over to you by the previous owner you shouldn't have any problems. They used to be printed on pink paper that was unique and that's where the term originated. :bglasses:
John, Had I known that you were working on a deal for that car I probably could've gone up to the bay area and checked it out for you. I was planning on heading up there to look before I placed a bid but that was before I saw the auction had ended. FWIW; I had asked the seller if it would make the drive down here OK and he did mention to me that the brakes would need attention. Congrats on your purchase, I hope... :TU: (Man, I'm jealous. :gt: )
When I bought my Centurion from SoCal, I had John Chapman check it out. He gave me a VERY detailed list of things wrong with the car. I was thankful of his appraisal. It really sealed the deal for me. I knew exactly what I was buying. I was still surprised by the condition of the top when it came out of the transporter. :jd:
EBAY ......... Buyer beware ........ Best to have a member look at it ! With over 3000 members a 50 dollar gift certificate to thier favorite diner can save a lot of this . Just a "good" idea ! :Brow: :TU: Hope it works out :TU:
nah, that's the thing, though...i wouldn't even contemplate asking for money if someone wanted me to check out a car...this board breathes good karma, man.
Yep, some good thoughts there on having folks check it out and all. With a car this rare I didn't want to hesitate however and lose it. I actually think the driver over reacted.So the brakes needed bleeding and the bumpers where loose? If this was all my other cars needed I'd be so happy you'd think there were two of me:laugh: Sorry if it seemed I was complaining, but truthfully it was just more wanting to share some of the new ropes for me on transports. When I told the driver what I paid for the car he started "back peddling" quick and even said "WELL! it's definitely worth that! You know,...it's a California car...and actually it does run good" blah blah blah. Guess he had to justify charging me an extra couple hundred for what he said "HAD" to be done to transport. As far as I'm concerned that's cool with me too.I got a great transport rate and it is due here in 4 or 5 days? Sounds good to me.I thought it would take 3 or 4 weeks! I'd pay $200 just for that truthfully. Guess it will be "ALL SHOW and no slow" (brakes). I just can't wait to get hold of that factory four speed shifter! I can fix brakes:TU:
The brakes will be fun! I've been working on mine every weekend for the past three weeks. I only get about 4 hours of quality Buick time, so it goes slow. The Master Cylinder came first. I have also replaced my rear wheel cylinders, rear brake hose, and one rear brake pipe because I turned the distribution block it was connected to and it split the top of the pipe. I had to have the front and rear brake hose(s) special ordered from AutoZone. They had the rear wheel cylinders in stock, but what stinks is the bleeder screws in them are only available in 10MM METRIC. Uh, I hate putting Metric on a car of that age when nothing else on it is metric (except my battery clamps). Here is what you have to look forward to: (Just two bolts for the Master):
This is the biggest pain in my book. The rear brakes distribution block is attached to the rear diff. Its hard to get your body where you need it under the car to make all the restoration work happen.
Hey Joe, Thanks for going to the trouble to send all the 64 brake system pictures. As a matter of fact, I was thinking about gathering all my parts before the car gets here, and just plan on doing the whole system and be done with it, so the pics, and information, will make a check list that much easier to remember everything. Thanks a ton, or probably two and a half tons in this case (Wildcat tons that is:laugh: ):TU:
Joe, Thanks again buddy.So what type of transmission do these use? Muncie or Saginaw or what? Thanks, John
Borg-Warner John, It should have a T-10 in it :Smarty: cast iron main case with aluminium tail housing. :TU:
John, All I have to go on is the factory service manual, because before I was introduced to your car, I thought the only thing that came in a big Buick was an automatic tranny. Looking through my factory service manual, the only reference it makes to the name of the transmission is that it is the "4-Speed Syncromesh Transmission". Here are the specs it lists for the 4 speed. If anyone could match these up with a mfg., or if this is for sure a T-10, let us know. Specs: Oil Capacity, Pints: 2 1/2 Type of Gearing: All Helical Transmission Ratios-4600 Fourth...1.00 to 1 Third......1.51 to 1 Second.. 1.89 to 1 First........2.20 to 1 Reverse..2.26 to 1
Thanks Robert and Joe:TU: Looks like we are zeroing in on this thing. I've been tearing ebay up scanning all over for manuals,books with 64 Cat info,NOS parts,used accessories you name it. I've got a couple things but need lots more.It would be nice for just one time to have the parts,a solid car, and the money to slam it all together in a decent time frame. Course that's always the plan isn't it? :laugh: I'm currently hunting a Super Wildcat motor so I can join those elite ranks.Why have a "regular V-8" when you can have a SUPER V-8" heh heh (sounds like a v-8 tomato drink commercial):grin: Wonder if ole Robert has a spare laying around:Brow: I'll buy about anything for a 64 Cat right now though.This is gonna be fun. Feels like an early Christmas for Johnnyp
John, The only spare that I had went bye-bye with my Riv :ball: but I know where there is another one; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=34202&item=2440249837
Thanks Robert, I spoke to this guy on the phone last week and this is the same momotor he has been trying to unload on some poor devil for a long time on other sites. The car was vandilized all glass broken out and that motor is frozen. I DO appreciate the tip though, but ole Johnny here is gonna dodge that bullet.Probably would make a "Super" boat anchor though :laugh: BTW I had to tell you, that guy called our house from 11pm on (yep,we were sleeping), hanging up when anyone answered till we took it off the hook for the nightuzzled: I callled him back at 7am though till someone answered:laugh:
