I’ve had Buicks since my first car in 1975. At the age of 15 I was so car crazy I had to have one to work on, so I bought
a 68 Skylark Convertible (with Dad’s help!). It was a great car, next was a 68 LeSabre, then a 65 Riviera. I rebuilt
the Riv’s engine and saw in the Chassis Manual the 4-speed transmission. Well that got me thinking, what Buick had a
4-speed? The 46000…Whats that? I soon found out! That was 1993. I looked for 7 years for a 4-speed Wildcat, no luck…
I once saw one in '95 but I was between jobs, another was sold, then nothing til ’99. I decided to get a Wildcat
automatic Convertible. I found a great one, with the A-8 option, and all kinds of other options from cruise control and even a tissue
dispenser. Then I bought a 65 coupe, had a 66 425, red with black interior, console and buckets. As the car was in transit,
I saw an ad for a 65 Wildcat 4-speed coupe in the Bugle “leads” section. Well, I wasn't going to wait another 7 years so
I bought that one too! Found some parts cars, then bought my 4-speed convertible from Cars in NJ. What a wreck, had to
buy another rust free convertible to fix it. Ok, that was the last one...No, I bought another parts car after that. What
I will end up with is 4 cars, all Wildcats.
A Wildcat Deluxe Convertible, red with red bucket seats, an “LT” 401, 4 speed Warner T-10 with a 3.42 posi. rear.
A custom convertible, sea foam with a black bench seat, “LX” 425 2x4bbl, automatic with a 3.08 open rear.
Then there's this red and black Custom Coupe with black buckets a centre console, tach, “MW” 425 Quadrajet,
automatic and a 3.42 posi rear.
Last but by no means least is a burgundy Custom Coupe with black buckets, with an “LX” 425 2-4bbl,
a 4-speed Warner T-10, and a 3.42 posi.
I'm probably going to sell the car pictured when I get the other auto coupe going. It is a Custom, Black buckets,
“LT” 401 ST400 automatic, 3.08 open rear. I will be a while fixing the other car, so it will get a 3.08 Posi soon.
I bought it as is, except for the tail chrome and the grill chrome. Also a little brake work-the rubber was clogged
to the back binders and the booster seal was cracked. Also had to fix the switch pitch microswitch - seems like I have to
do that on all my cars, I am getting good at it! I also have a white convertible project for sale, the frame is bad
and needs to be replaced. I have a frame for it in good condition.
See you in Flint!
Ted Nagel
Wow! You're really into 65 Buicks aren't you Ted? This red on black Wildcat Coupe is a perfect example of what I think is
a contender for the the most attractive coupes ever made by Buick. Thanks for sending it in.
Bill S.
