THE 1953 BUICK WILDCAT MOTORAMA SHOW CAR & IT'S INFLUNENCE ON 1954 & 1955 BUICKS

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.org

Yes, 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.

Loading up the XP-300.

Reminds me of Lamar and Bob Coker loading up The Landau.

Here is an original press photo that I have recently added to my collection.

The XP-300 with Charles A. Chayne

Second photo gives all the particulars. (From the back of the press photo.)

Original Boston-Record-American newspaper photo.

Boston American no longer in business.

"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.

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

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

It looks like the styling people at Kaiser liked the grille and headlights for their 1954. - Dan

Thank you for adding to the thread.

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.

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 2013

Larmar, when did you become a Connoisseur of Concourses?? :)

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....

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.

Found this on you tube today. No sound however.

Other great videos can be linked from this also.

such as this http://youtu.be/MCutLTuIqOo

such as this http://youtu.be/MCutLTuIqOo

http://www.bortzautocollection.com/1953BuickWildcat.html

If you would like additional information let me know.

Debbie

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.

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.

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

I put it on my calendar to call. THANKS Debbie.

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

We know know where the design for the Reatta conv top came from.

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

I 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

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.

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

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

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

Lamar;

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=news

Ed

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!

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.

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

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

Can anyone spot the difference in this Wildcat?

Port holes & rear skirts?

Port holes & rear skirts?

and rear sweepspear

The Portholes are on top, can't see them well in the first pic Michael.

Port holes & rear skirts?

and rear sweepspear

Correct 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

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..............

Bumpin this back up just for the fun of it 

Posted way back in 3/19/ 2015

From my collection of Kodachromes.