Guest David_Temple Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 The XP-300 also had a hardtop, but it was a removable one. I recently came across a copy of the April 2010 issue of Collectible Automobile. There is an excellent 20 page write up on the XP-300 and Charles A. Chayne the head of GM engineering and whose personal car was the XP-300. According to the article, the removable hardtop is still intact and in storage today. My guess at the Sloan Museum where the XP-300 is on display. [ATTACH=CONFIG]163406[/ATTACH]www.sloanlongway.orgYes, the hardtop is at the Sloan Museum. I've seen it. However, it can no longer be affixed to the XP-300 due to changes made to the car long ago. As originally built, the XP-300 had a retractable rear window; that was removed. Therefore, there is no rear glass for the top. Furthermore, the mounting hardware for the top was deleted. The car does have a convertible top, but it is in poor condition. I've seen it, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted November 17, 2012 Author Share Posted November 17, 2012 (edited) Loading up the XP-300.Reminds me of Lamar and Bob Coker loading up The Landau. Edited November 17, 2012 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 (edited) Here is an original press photo that I have recently added to my collection.The XP-300 with Charles A. ChayneSecond photo gives all the particulars. (From the back of the press photo.)Original Boston-Record-American newspaper photo.Boston American no longer in business. Edited November 20, 2012 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BortzCars Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 "Everything old is new again".The 1953 Buick Wildcat I will be on display at the Geneva Concours d'Elegance August 25, 2013. Stop by and see the car and say hello to Joe Bortz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 The 1953 Buick Wildcat I will be on display at the Geneva Concours d'Elegance August 25, 2013. Stop by and see the car and say hello to Joe Bortz.[ATTACH=CONFIG]203605[/ATTACH]Thanks for stopping by and posting. Would love to see Joes collection some day.Here is the link to the Concours show Geneva Concours d'Elegance 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caballero2 Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 After posting this on another thread today 11-8-12; I thought this subject should have it's own thread.I recently came across a photo of a hardtop version of the Buick Wildcat Show Car.I'm certain most of us are aware of the convertible version of the Wildcat. I was not aware of the hardtop.In my view the hardtop version influenced the 1955 Buick lineup.The convertible influenced the 1954 Roadmaster.Listed below are some of the differences.1. The sweep spear.2. The open rear wheel well.3. The lack of vents on the rear quarter panel.4. No fender skirts.5. Different hubcaps. ( May have influenced The 1954 hubcaps)6. The rear bumper appears to be different.If we all look a bit closer I'm certain there are other differences, but the ones I listed appeared to be the obvious ones.I've posted both Wildcat versions for comparison.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->It looks like the styling people at Kaiser liked the grille and headlights for their 1954. - Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 It looks like the styling people at Kaiser liked the grille and headlights for their 1954. - DanThank you for adding to the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) The 1953 Buick Wildcat I will be on display at the Geneva Concours d'Elegance August 25, 2013. Stop by and see the car and say hello to Joe Bortz.[ATTACH=CONFIG]203605[/ATTACH]Joe. Thank you for the info. I too would love to see your collection some day. Edited July 18, 2013 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) MrEarl: Thanks for stopping by and posting. Would love to see Joes collection some day.Here is the link to the Concours show Geneva Concours d'Elegance 2013Larmar, when did you become a Connoisseur of Concourses?? :) Edited July 18, 2013 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) I don't know. I just show up and all these famous folks want to get their picture taken with me. must be the shoes.... Edited July 19, 2013 by MrEarl (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 I don't know. I just show up and all these famous folks want to get their picture taken with me. must be the shoes....It could be the shoes, but famous people always want to be seen or photographed with good people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 Found this on you tube today. No sound however.Other great videos can be linked from this also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 such as this http://youtu.be/MCutLTuIqOo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BortzCars Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 such as this http://youtu.be/MCutLTuIqOohttp://www.bortzautocollection.com/1953BuickWildcat.htmlIf you would like additional information let me know.Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Debbie, Thank you so much for checking back in and bringing this back around. I just spent my morning coffee hour looking at Joe's website (again) and reading all the referenced magazine articles written by or about Joe. I am always amazed at seeing pictures of Joe back in the late 50's and 60's which remind us of just how long he has loved cars these. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with him at Amelia Island in 2013. He is such a personable guy, it was like we had known each other for years. We would love to see him and the 1953 Wildcat at a BCA Nationals some year. Springfield MO is coming up mid-June 2015. There should be a nice collection of '53-'54 Buick's (perhaps even an old love of Joe's,the "Landau" ) there to share the spotlight and allow comparisons to the Wildcat. Maybe??? Again thanks for checking in and hey, don't be a stranger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Not the '53 Wildcat but a nice short video of a couple more 50's Buick concepts. I thought there was a XP-300 or Concept thread but did not find in a search? anybody know of one and I will move this to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BortzCars Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 (edited) Debbie, Thank you so much for checking back in and bringing this back around. I just spent my morning coffee hour looking at Joe's website (again) and reading all the referenced magazine articles written by or about Joe. I am always amazed at seeing pictures of Joe back in the late 50's and 60's which remind us of just how long he has loved cars these. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with him at Amelia Island in 2013. He is such a personable guy, it was like we had known each other for years. We would love to see him and the 1953 Wildcat at a BCA Nationals some year. Springfield MO is coming up mid-June 2015. There should be a nice collection of '53-'54 Buick's (perhaps even an old love of Joe's,the "Landau" ) there to share the spotlight and allow comparisons to the Wildcat. Maybe??? Again thanks for checking in and hey, don't be a stranger. Joe loved the video of the LeSabre! Joe read your post above and wanted to know if you could give him a call next Wednesday Aug. 6th about BCA Nationals Springfield MO mid-June 2015? He is in California this week for auctions. Debbie Edited July 30, 2014 by MrEarl removed cell and email for security purposes aka "phishing robots" (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I put it on my calendar to call. THANKS Debbie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Not the '53 Wildcat but a nice short video of a couple more 50's Buick concepts. I thought there was a XP-300 or Concept thread but did not find in a search? anybody know of one and I will move this to it. Very cool, thanks for posting this.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 We know know where the design for the Reatta conv top came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Joe loved the video of the LeSabre! Joe read your post above and wanted to know if you could give him a call next Wednesday Aug. 6th about BCA Nationals Springfield MO mid-June 2015? He is in California this week for auctions. DebbieI put it on my calendar to call. THANKS Debbie.Spoke with Joe back on the 6th and again today. He is excited about possibly bringing the Wildcat I to Springfield. I don't think I would be out of line by saying that if you would like to see the car there and hear Joe speak about it, it's history and restoration (incl the hubcap story), let the board members know. Here is another thread about the Wildcat started by Charles Barnett, someone who truly appreciated the car as well as some other well known Buicks. This thread is also interesting because in it, a certain 55 prototype that had been stored away for years caught the attention Mr Bob the cod Coker, and the rest is history. enjoy.... http://forums.aaca.org/f115/joe-bortz-article-may-2010-bugle-282154.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Spoke with Joe back on the 6th and again today. He is excited about possibly bringing the Wildcat I to Springfield. I don't think I would be out of line by saying that if you would like to see the car there and hear Joe speak about it, it's history and restoration (incl the hubcap story), let the board members know. ]Good work Lamar, let's hope the Wildcat makes the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 To see a great assortment of photos of the 1953 Wildcat check this out on Flickr.https://www.flickr.com/search?text=1953%20buick%20wildcat&sort=relevance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 David.Thank you for providing this information. Great insight and I wish you could post at least one photo. Hope the second book works out for you. How do I find your first one? I'd love to have one.Please one picture......please. You have us intrigued.Dave, there are a couple of used ones on Amazon at about the lowest I have seen them. $119. Still more than I can pay but still watching for that surprise deal. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0760328269/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&sr=&qid=By the way, I have it on pretty good authority that it is looking good that the Wildcat I will be at the Springfield Nationals. !!!!!!! Yeeehaaaa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Pentico Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 (edited) Dave, there are a couple of used ones on Amazon at about the lowest I have seen them. $119. Still more than I can pay but still watching for that surprise deal. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0760328269/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&sr=&qid=By the way, I have it on pretty good authority that it is looking good that the Wildcat I will be at the Springfield Nationals. !!!!!!! YeeehaaaaLamar;FYI .... This was in today's ( 11/28/14 ) Hemmings daily e-newsletter:http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/11/28/buick-wildcat-i-to-highlight-next-years-buick-national-meet/?refer=newsEd Edited November 28, 2014 by Ed Pentico correct typo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 Wow, thanks Ed!!! Great article about a great car and some great publicity for the club!! Just think of all the additional spectators that and other articles will generate for the meet! Now if only the Landau could be there by it's side! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted November 29, 2014 Author Share Posted November 29, 2014 Wow, thanks Ed!!! Great article about a great car and some great publicity for the club!! Just think of all the additional spectators that and other articles will generate for the meet! Now if only the Landau could be there by it's side!That is great news, and yes let's hope The Landau will be there too.Let's hope all these great cars will be in Allentown, Pa in 2016 for the 50th Anniversary of the BCA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 I'm not sure if this has been posted, but I thought others would like to see this article from Old Cars Weekly.http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/blogs/under-the-hood/unveiled-1953-buick-wildcat-pre-production-model-118-scale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) Hi All.The 1953 Wildcat Diecast Model is now out in the marketplace.There are several sellers listing them on eBay.They are pricey but excellent quality.http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40%7CR40%7CR40%7CR40%7CR40&_sop=10&_sacat=0&_nkw=1953+Buick+wildcat+I+Minichamps+1/18&_trksid=m194&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSRCHX:SRCH Edited February 14, 2015 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Can anyone spot the difference in this Wildcat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mstanleyfl Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Port holes & rear skirts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Port holes & rear skirts?and rear sweepspear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 The Portholes are on top, can't see them well in the first pic Michael. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) Port holes & rear skirts?and rear sweepspearCorrect except the portholes are on both Wildcats.Also, the rear skirts were not detachable. It was a solid portion of the rear quater panel.http://forums.aaca.org/attachments/f115/162357d1352424067-1953-buick-wildcat-motorama-show-car-1953-buick-wildcat-hardtop.jpg Edited March 15, 2015 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 (edited) This slide was taken by an amateur photographer. It is a very rare Kodachrome of the very rare Buick Wildcat I. It has has never been published to my knowledge and to the knowledge of some whose thoughts I solicited. It was taken at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 1953. I was extremely fortunate to have been able to obtain it. I will be posting in other Buick forums so as many Buick fans can enjoy. So here it is.............. Edited November 6, 2023 by Dave Gelinas (XP-300) (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Bumpin this back up just for the fun of it 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted November 6, 2023 Author Share Posted November 6, 2023 (edited) Posted way back in 3/19/ 2015 From my collection of Kodachromes. Edited November 6, 2023 by Dave Gelinas (XP-300) (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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