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66 Wildcat!!


Smartin

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It was advertised on the v8 board for a couple weeks before I made an offer to the seller...and it was kind of an impulse buy. I thought it was a good deal, so I pounced! And we negotiated a fair price...so I picked it up yesterday. He was even nice enough to meet me halfway <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> I bought him lunch, and I drove home doing 80mph on I-44.

I think the wheels need to be balanced, but it holds the road well. There is a bit of a hiccup when I give it gas. I believe either the choke is sticking a little bit, or the accelerator pump is going south.

It still surprises me that it has an AIR pump from the factory. It was originally a SoCal car, so naturally, the rust is minimal. It has the rear window cancer, but that's literally the only place that is bad. The interior is pretty much hosed. The door panels are ok, but the seats are almost completely degraded. The dash pad is cracked to hell...as is the steering wheel. The windshield has a crack right in my line of sight, which might cause me to have a fit if I have to have it replaced for inspection.

Here is more information and pictures:

http://www.buickcenturion.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140

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Guest imported_Thriller

Very cool. The windshield shouldn't be an issue - all '65 and '66 GM full size are the same, so it is pretty common and relatively inexpensive yet.

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You know me too well... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

It'll get a detail job with the paint...I already cleaned up a spot on the right fender. It really cleans up well and shines under all that dirt and oxidation.

As far as the interior goes, it'll get cleaned up, but no seat upholstery replacement...unless I magically learn how to sew seat covers!

I'll probably clean the motor up a little, just to knock the dirt and grease off.

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<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I guess it all depends on how nice the paint buffs out...that was the deciding factor with the 71 LeSabre 4 door last year.

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I did a little buffing today.

I was stumped at the layer of old dirty paint when I started working this morning. The wool pad just loaded up with crap almost instantly. This was looking to be quite a project if I had to rub the entire car out by hand BEFORE I machine buffed it.

BUT I had an idea. I just copied what I did with the 71 LeSabre last year. I looked through my box full of various grades of sandpaper, and finally found some 1000 grit paper.

That did the trick! It takes off the dirty layer pretty quickly, and leaves a clean smooth surface for me to buff to a shine.

The paint is in pretty bad shape. There a numerous spots all over the front end of the car that look like it was parked under a bird's nest, or possibly a tree that dripped sap all over it. Oh well, it'll be a good 20-footer when it's buffed completely.

I also had the front windshield replaced today. That was $244 I wasn't planning on spending.

I pulled the stainless trim on both the front and rear windshields and polished all the trim while I had it off. Gotta love that good ol' GM rear window rust!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Here is the car with just the passenger side of the hood buffed.

buffing001.jpg

buffing002.jpg

Here is a comparison from the side, showing the buffed front fender, and the DULLLLL doors.

buffing003.jpg

more

buffing004.jpg

buffing005.jpg

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Congratulations on the new addition! When you're done buffing all those acres of paint, it looks like you have a pretty decent car! Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows and Air Conditioning too; I am soo jealous! And 4-door hardtops are just as much fun as a coupe! (Though not as much fun as a convertible.) I can't wait to see what this will look like after you've given it the Martin Touch, especially under the hood. Congratulations once more!

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Bill, if you are very familiar with color sanding, then go ahead and use the 1000 grit. It will work fast, so make sure you avoid corners and edges. I used 2000 on the 71 LeSabre last year, and it worked well.

3M makes nice compounds for buffing. The compound I am using is supposed to be for 1500 and finer paper, but it seems to be working well. It is 3M PerfectIt 3000 rubbing compound 06062. It can be used with a machine or by hand. I highly recommend a machine with a wool pad to get the first run done. After that, switch to a foam polishing pad and some 3M PerfectIt 3000 Trizact Spot Finishing material 06070. This will remove the swirl marks left by the Rubbing compound. I wish I would've done the swirl mark remover on the LeSabre. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

You can do through, and hit the spots you missed with the buffer, by hand. Be sure to remove as much small trim as possible, such as BUICK letters on the hood or trunk, or anything that will be snagged by the buffer.

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Guest imported_Thriller

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also had the front windshield replaced today. That was $244 I wasn't planning on spending.

</div></div>

Well, at least it wasn't 10 times that, which is around where the new windshield for the Invicta is going to run me when they are available (that's new...when they make a small run of them <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ).

Very impressive on the paint...what a difference some know-how and elbow grease can do. In case you hadn't figured it out, you are rapidly becoming a forum hero <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-style: italic">quote from BuickCenturion.com</span>

"Keep in mind that this is just transportation, and will probably remain in its (near) current condition. "

Yeah right. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mike </div></div>

...and again I say...

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Guest ZondaC12

wow thats really neat!

btw nice wildcat! i really like the '66 ones.

speaking of 66 wildcats--

Mr D, do you know if the Mattots will be at our invitational show? Boy its been awhile since my mom and brother and I made that trip all the way to see him for those tires. A couple of the nicest people I've ever met, can't wait to see them again! And I just LOVE his white '66 convertible 'cat. Just beautiful.

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Not to hijack this thread, but Yes! He will be there. With the cat...

Did you get the newsletter with the information on the fall tour in his area of the State? Hopefully we're all going for a nice long ride to check out the north country in September. Send him an e mail if you and your family want to go along. It promises to be a great time.

Now we return to the regularly scheduled thread.

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

JD

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well that was fun..

I finished buffing this afternoon and put a coat of wax on it. I cleaned up all the windows and trim, and gave the engine compartment a dusting off...which didn't do much.

I also repainted the flat black "highlights" in the whiskers on the front fenders. ...as well as the rear panel between the taillights. It helps to get those sharp lines and contrasting colors back on the car.

clean001.jpg

clean002.jpg

clean003.jpg

clean004.jpg

clean005.jpg

clean006.jpg

clean007.jpg

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Guest imported_Thriller

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also repainted the flat black "highlights" in the whiskers on the front fenders. ...as well as the rear panel between the taillights. It helps to get those sharp lines and contrasting colors back on the car. </div></div>

Looking good Adam. What sort of paint did you use for that? Mine could use touching up as well. Actually, I need to touch up the grey as well on the fender trim as well as the grill...does anyone know what that colour would be?

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Guest imported_Thriller

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just used an off-the-shelf parts store flat black spray paint.

Where on the fender trim is grey paint? I must've missed that. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> </div></div>

Hmmm...I'm tired, but I might be able to describe it...there's the black portion, then toward the back it gets shallower and becomes grey. The entire piece is chromed, then painted, I guess. The guys at the body shop last year polished the paint off the top 1/3 on the one side to the chrome, so I polished the rest. I prefer the way it looks now, but it's not right...keep me a few more points away from that coveted bronze in Seattle.

I'll try to take a photo tomorrow and doctor things up. Unless of course, that is a difference in Canadian cars (one of the other local guys has a Wildcat coupe and the trim is the same).

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Guest imported_Thriller

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just used an off-the-shelf parts store flat black spray paint.

Where on the fender trim is grey paint? I must've missed that. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> </div></div>

Adam - here's a photo.

WC_fender_trim2.jpg

There's some condensation on there, so it isn't really clear, but at the front end is the black part...the long flat vertical surfaces are the area that was grey...it was a dull flat grey, so I suspect the guys at the body shop thought it was supposed to be chrome that just needed some cleaning up / polishing. Worst case, I can take it back to them and get some pinstripe tape put in there.

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I probably shouldn't be saying so much...potential judges for the car could be lurking around here and will know everything that is wrong based on my descriptions <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

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Guest ewing

Derek,

For the grey, I'd try a few grays and by trial and error find the best colour on the side markers. Just tape the pieces and spray. I'd use a paint that bonds directly to metal without a primer. Something like Rustoleum or Tremclad.

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Hey John!

If I decide to keep the Wildcat, I may do something under the hood, but that's not in the cards at the moment. I am working on my 71 Centurion Formal Coupe now. ..doing the same thing I did to the LeSabre, hopefully trumping that job. Although, that will be a difficult task!

How is the LeSabre, still have it?

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Adam,

yes, I still have the LeSabre. I haven't put more than a hundred miles or so on her. She hasn't seen any rain since I bought her. Still looking for a nice set of ralley's for her. I'm joining the Centurion forums you recommended. I will post a want ad in there for rims. Keep an eye out for me, will ya?

Thanks - J.R.

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Guest John Chapman

Adam,

Cars sold in CA beginning in '66 and factory installed. CA-configured cars were 'one state' cars for several years. The AIR systems are very difficult find complete and functioning and cause some real headaches during restorations. Don't toss it out!

Cheers,

JMC

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JR - thanks for joining the Centurion forums! Those rallye wheels come around fairly often, but shipping can be a bear. Thanksfully, I had found mine at a local swap meet for $100 for the set. Those are the ones on the convertible that Rolf owns now.

JMC - I won't be trashing any of those CA emission parts. They are in good condition and intact...surprisingly! Even the air pump belt is still on it <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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