Found a 1970 Wildcat!

[Centurion]

One of you Buick guys refresh my memory- did the 69-70 Wildcat use the same frenched rear window as the 69-70 Olds Delta Royale?

No, Glenn. Buick did not utilize the frenched rear window treatment until the '71 / '72 Centurion Formal Coupes, which were pretty much the same formula as the Delta Royale.

[Guest 1970wildcat455]

Are most parts easy to come by for a '70 Wildcat? I'm assuming engine parts would be fairly easy to get? What about body parts?

[Guest 1970wildcat455]

That's reasonable distance to go inspect it in person. Do not, repeat, do not take a trailer or a buddy to drive your vehicle back the first time you go look.

That's actually the way the vast majority of cars were equipped back in those days- even Buicks. Fully loaded cars were the exception in most areas as many people were leery of the initial expense and the perceived trouble down the road.

Any idea what the original color code is? You can get away with about any color with black insides, but if that kittycat is a good color, that's a killer ride.

Keith- we're friendly up here too as long as you don't have your ball cap on backwards or break out of line in a tour. But I'm one who believes rules are meant to be challenged and broken if necessary.

I don't know if I said what color it originally was or not. I had a bad feeling going up there that it would be that ugly green. Well, we got up there, opened the drivers door, and sure enough, it was that ugly green! lol. Worst things have happened though.

[rocketraider]

If it's that light metallic green, a buddy had a theory that GM got a hell of a good deal on that color paint, because they painted everything with it.

Mopar had a medium green in early 70s that was popular, but I always thought it was hideous.

That said, a good glossy paint job in that light metallic green might surprise you. I think it's because it faded easily and early that after a couple years it just looked like crap.

With that black gut, you can get away with any color you want, you'll just have a little extra work and expense to paint jambs.

[Guest myold88]

^^^^^^ As far as GM getting a "good deal" on the light green paint, I doubt that's true. Green was just a popular color in the 60's. When I ordered my new 70 Chev Impala in late 1969 I ordered it in that light green color. I also had a '70 Plymouth Fury in a hideous shade of green which was also popular for some reason. Green cars were everywhere at the time.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Yes, green was popular - our 1970 Ford LTD was dark green - actually looked very nice. Am I correct in that Avacado and yellowish/orange refrigerators were a hit back then too?

Luckly, sometimes the "times they are a changin".

Did you have to remind us??

Ben

[Guest myold88]

^^^^ That's funny. We bought a house in '67 that had an old white Nash/Kelvinator refrig in white. I bought a 2 part spray can kit and refinished it in 2 tone green. It went along well with our new shag green carpeting in the house. (sorry for jacking this thread)

[Guest BJM]

My car is a green color with dark green vinyl top. 1st, the vinyl top is going. They break up this particular body is a poor way. 2nd, my choice would be PLATINUM color, a darkish grey metallic with a hint of purple. It's your car, do what you want.

[rocketraider]

Yes, green was popular - our 1970 Ford LTD was dark green - actually looked very nice. Am I correct in that Avacado and yellowish/orange refrigerators were a hit back then too?

Luckly, sometimes the "times they are a changin".

Yes. My parents had an avocado green Kenmore washing machine that lasted 28 years, and when I bought my house in mid-80s an avocado side-by-side refrigerator came with it. Knew plenty of folks with Harvest Gold appliances. The "trend" now is black or really loud red and blue appliances. Craigslist is full of those color appliances, nearly new, because people bought them as the next big thing and soon found they couldn't stand the colors for very long.

Even back in the 50s and early 60s, turquoise, pale yellow and pink appliances were all the rage- same as on cars from that time period. So it could be said that the carmakers and appliance makers (often the same company) set color trends for their times.

But yes, green was everywhere in the late 60s-early 70s so stands to reason Cat's Wildcat would have been some shade of green. Most likely that light metallic green that GM put on EVERYTHING.

I'm told that the reason we see so many white, silver and gray cars now is that those are the cheapest paint colors available, so the carmaker makes more profit on those color cars. Yet when the Germans started painting everything silver and gray in the 80s, everyone thought it was to convey a high-tech image.

When I was Grand Marquis shopping a few years back, I had almost become convinced Ford didn't make them any color but silver or white. I am by and large tired of boring nondescript colors on my cars.

[Guest 1970wildcat455]

When I was Grand Marquis shopping a few years back, I had almost become convinced Ford didn't make them any color but silver or white. I am by and large tired of boring nondescript colors on my cars.

I LOVE fords new blue. I would love this car to be painted that blue, but if I buy it i'll probably keep it original, just because I like original. But who knows, got to get it first, then by the time painting time rolls around, it may end up being blue... We'll see. But back to my question, are parts fairly easy to get for a 70 wildcat?

[Guest BJM]

Parts are not hard to find unless you need Wildcat specific front fenders. The Wildcat was a LeSabre with a 455, slightly different interior panels and badges. Most of the drivetrain parts, brakes, and misc are well supported by Buick vendors. As previously mentioned, if the soft trim is bad, as in my seats, then bend over because you can't just get a front seat kit like you can a Skylark.

[Guest 1970wildcat455]

Parts are not hard to find unless you need Wildcat specific front fenders. The Wildcat was a LeSabre with a 455, slightly different interior panels and badges. Most of the drivetrain parts, brakes, and misc are well supported by Buick vendors. As previously mentioned, if the soft trim is bad, as in my seats, then bend over because you can't just get a front seat kit like you can a Skylark.

OK. The soft trim, for the most part, is really good. I think the back seat was the worst, and thats because of sun shining on it for years. It didn't feel crumbly though.

[Guest 1970wildcat455]

Well, before I was able to go look at it again and make an offer, I got a text from the owner saying that it sold. . . Kind of a sad day, but when I think about it, it really wouldn't have been the best idea to buy. Just considering the fact that I'm going to college this fall, and the fact that I would hate for it to sit for 4 years without much getting done to it, and worsening in condition. So, I really hope whoever bought it will restore it to its factory glory, and not destroy it with stupid rims, or lower it, or any of that crap. Hopefully... But thanks to all who made suggestions, and constructive criticism and talked me through the process of considering the car. I will stay on this forum, although probably won't be very active for a while. I will be back, however, when I get that Buick GS, or even better, GSX. Thanks again!