wildcatsrule

PM sent

Thanks everyone for the input and helpful information. I really appreciate it!👍

What size heater hoses are correct for a 1949 Buick Super? Also, what is the correct size hose for the Dynaflow transmission cooler line? One more-there is a special U shaped hose that connects to two lines coming out of the firewall near the top of the passenger side. Are those still available? Any help is appreciated-I've got a hodge podge of different size hoses under the hood-including garden hose!

Hi Can you provide a measurement for the outer lens-how many inches across?

Very cool! Is that a radio delete plate on the dash?

I went to the National meet with no intentions of buying a car, but this one spoke to me. It is perfect in its imperfections! Love the patina. It runs decent-the motor doesn't smoke, the transmission shifts good and best of all it is rock solid-no body filler at all. It is a black plate California car. The plan is to make it mechanically reliable, put a matte clear coat over the patina, throw a couple of blankets over the seats and drive it! This is my first 1940's car-should be a lot of fun!

The center panel between the grille sections looks pushed in

Not a deal breaker, but the mirror on the driver's side door doesn't look like it is the correct Buick mirror.

Just found out my article is in the November 2022 Bugle. Hope it is an interesting and enjoyable read.

The car sold for $9100-seems like a good deal given the condition. Yes that is original interior. That pattern interior was used in both the standard Wildcat models and the LeSabre Custom models, which this car is.

Someone added the center chrome hood strip from an Electra or a Wildcat. Looks nice but not factory correct

Thanks Pete-I'm on it! I already have the article written, just need to get the pictures taken.

Not a fan- it looks like three toenail clippers!

There are no documents regarding the performance modifications, however the engineer who had the car said that the 430 in this car performed differently than any other car with a 430 that he had driven. I noticed there is an additional oil filler opening on the passenger side rocker cover, which I haven't seen on a 430 engine before. The original engine has never been rebuilt, so when that time comes , once the engine is opened up it will reveal whatever custom modifications were done. The previous owner to me had the transmission rebuilt in the '80's. The transmission shop called the then owner after he had left the car with them, and the shop said that the transmission was not a stock TH400. They said there was a lot of custom work done internally that they had never seen before. The transmission was modified as though it was built to handle a lot more torque from the engine. This car has been sitting for awhile and I need to do some mechanical/carb work on it before I can drive it any distance to get a sense of how it really performs.

I took your advice and started a thread in "Me and My Buick." Same two pictures-that's all I have right now.

GM was doing experiments with this car. The car came with three air cleaners-the "Star Wars" one, a stock one and and a stock one that was modified with two snorkels and a chrome lid.

I thought I'd share the interesting story of my latest acquisition. This is a 1968 Buick Wildcat custom coupe that was sent to the Frigidaire division of GM to be driven by their executives. In fact, on the window sticker, instead of a dealership's name and address is Frigidaire-GMC Dayton, Ohio. The agreement GM made with Frigidaire was that while it was their company car, GM could borrow it from time to time and do testing with it on the oval track. GM assigned this car a three digit code, which is visible in the door jamb and referenced numerous times in the paperwork from 1968 that I received with the car. There is evidence that there were modifications made to the engine and transmission to enhance performance. One of the engineers at Frigidaire drove this as his company car. In the fall of '68 the car was taken out of service as a company car and sent to a Buick dealership to be re-sold. The engineer bought the car and owned it for 15 years. He retired to Texas and eventually sold the car after interviewing at least five individuals. He wanted to insure that the car would not be hot rodded or modified. The next owner purchased the car in 1983 and owned it for 39 years. He hadn't been driving the car. The car was beginning to show signs of aging and deterioration. This gentleman decided to see if he could find a next caretaker who would respect the history of the car and honor the wishes of the original owner. In steps yours truly. I had to be interviewed to have the chance at purchasing the car and was blessed enough to be given the chance to buy it. I explained to the owner that my passion is 1968 Buick Wildcats and that is what I collect. I have been passionate about these cars ever since my parents purchased a new '68 Wildcat 4 door sedan, which became my first car when I turned 16. I've written a few Bugle articles about my cars. This is such a blessing, a thrill and an honor to be the next caretaker of the car. I never thought I would have the opportunity to own a GM company car! It is one of the most loaded '68 Wildcats I've ever seen. It came with three air cleaners-a stock one, one that was modified with dual snorkels and a chrome lid as well as a "Star Wars" air cleaner. I received the window sticker, build sheet, protect-o-plate and lots of receipts dating back to 1968 that verify its pedigree and provenance.

It would take less time just to say what it doesn't have! But here goes-vinyl top, chrome wheels, dual exhaust, cornering lights, buckets and console with floor shift and tach, power driver's seat, power windows, power door locks, power antenna, A/C with automatic climate control, factory disc brakes (first full size 68 I've ever seen with them!) tilt, cruise, speed alert, clock, factory AM/FM stereo with 8 track player, custom shoulder and seat belts, courtesy light, tinted glass, trunk light, floor mats, door edge guards, star wars air cleaner....and I'm probably forgetting something!

I can access the Bugles now, thankfully a temporary glitch!

That's what I did but it doesn't work. It keeps showing the log in instructions page.

I keep logging in to access the e-Bugle in the e-Bugle members only tab under publications, but instead of taking me to the page where you can choose an issue to view, it keeps going back to the log-in instructions. Any suggestions?

Here's my big score. 1968 Buick Wildcat custom coupe. This is a former GM executive car. This is one of the most loaded 68 Wildcats I've ever seen. In '68 it was purchased by the Frigidaire division of GM. While it was owned by Frigidaire, the agreement was that GM could borrow the car to do testing with it on the oval track. There is evidence of modifications to the engine and transmission to enhance performance. One of the Frigidaire engineers that drove the car while they owned it, bought it when it came off of the company car program in the fall of '68. He owned the car for 15 years. He retired to Texas and sold the car to the gentleman that I purchased the car from in 1983. I received extensive documentation to back up the history-window sticker, build sheet, protect-o-plate, transfer of warranty from Frigidaire, plus loads of receipts. I had to do an interview with the previous owner to be deemed worthy of being the car's next caretaker. I assured him that any restoration work would be done back to factory specs. It is a worthy restoration candidate and I am beyond thrilled to have it!

Yes I'm going to buy the car. I'm in the process of putting a deal together. More details to follow. Sorry for being so mysterious, but I'd rather share the details once its a done deal. This is a unique vehicle for a number of reasons, so stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone for your offers of help. I found someone to go do an appraisal, which ended up being less informative than I had hoped it would be, but I still was able to get enough information to make my decision. Buick people are the best!😉

Great thank you. Yes this is a Buick I'm referring to.