Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted March 13, 2022 Author Share Posted March 13, 2022 Feels so slow, but a couple things closer. The gas cap is hidden under that lovely bit of chrome in the center of the rear tail panel. Let us just say it is a fun job trying to get it on. Happy Saturday. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted March 28, 2022 Author Share Posted March 28, 2022 So many details to finish but the finish line- at least for the mechanical bit- is close. Steering column, hyd clutch bleed, air cleaners, exhaust... punch list getting shorter anyway! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted March 28, 2022 Author Share Posted March 28, 2022 Finally gas tank hooked, vented and grounded properly. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted April 8, 2022 Author Share Posted April 8, 2022 Waiting on a spacer for the hydraulic clutch throw out bearing. This is a new one- there is "no gap" between the bearing and the clutch fingers. They stay in contact while running. So we had to find a vendor that had the proper bit and guess (educated) at the depth. Transmission is out waiting. I need this to get running. Patience is a virtue but I don't have much time! Going to start another project that jumped in line. Cheers! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted May 12, 2022 Author Share Posted May 12, 2022 Getting the clutch done, transmission and driveshaft back in. Rear glass back in. Next week should be interesting! Maybe a test drive????? 22.5 years later ! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted May 12, 2022 Author Share Posted May 12, 2022 Still have to get that steering column in...with wood wheel and the proper tri shield horn button. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 Pretty pleased with finding this wheel recently. Advert on the Facebook, Canada poster... decent price...natch! The wheel was good but I had a little better one in inventory. Shined and viola! The center button in particular is super hard to find. Here, for the first time, my vision of the red dash and wood wheel! Calling interior guy today. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jframe Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 9 hours ago, Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel said: Pretty pleased with finding this wheel recently. Advert on the Facebook, Canada poster... decent price...natch! The wheel was good but I had a little better one in inventory. Shined and viola! The center button in particular is super hard to find. Here, for the first time, my vision of the red dash and wood wheel! Calling interior guy today. That wheel looks awesome. I have that steering wheel on my '65 Riviera, and it's in pretty good shape as far as no cracks and such, but the surface seems to be losing what looks like a clear coat or lamination of some sort that gives it it's shine. Any way to redo that without having to send it off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 Mark - I have been lucky to find ones that are still in this shape. I just sold 2 bare wheels off last week -one of them was as you describe, like the sheen was gone and it had shrunk a little so the ring around the perimeter was loose. These are something that I might send off. Thanks, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 Obviously no horn bar, so I may have to go the fabrication route. Rick Rawls had some made and I think Gene had some made as well. I have ideas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted May 29, 2022 Author Share Posted May 29, 2022 Glass is in! Rear package shelf is in! I got word the my upholstery guy is ready to receive the car. His name is Cutter..Darrin Cutter. Great name for an upholstery guy Most of his work is on very top end custom cars. He is an artist with attention to detail the stock interiors never get. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted June 1, 2022 Author Share Posted June 1, 2022 Much excitement as the finish line edges closer... As unplanned, the turn signal switch (tilt one on lower steering column) interfered with the clutch pedal movement so that had to be rotated around the steering column. Tight fit in there. If all is well it will go to the exhaust shop later this week. Then back here and to the trim shop! Car can move and stop under its own power now. So close. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Car is in the muffler shop. I'm ready to head there for a drive Now I get impatient after 22 years LOL! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usnavystgc Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 It's gonna be a sweet ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Live Update! this just in: 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Wild Bill had this beauty for sale... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 Keeps getting closer Charlie Brown. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Are we there yet...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 Delivery Day 14 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Daddy likes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted July 5, 2022 Share Posted July 5, 2022 beautiful work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted July 18, 2022 Author Share Posted July 18, 2022 Found some air cleaners that fit under the hood. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usnavystgc Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 I'm so envious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted August 4, 2022 Author Share Posted August 4, 2022 Made it to the trim shop! 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted August 10, 2022 Author Share Posted August 10, 2022 Vendor Blues...not too bad, but perfection would need carpet matching the door panels...PUI made the interior stuff so I called them... they are not allowed to sell carpet as there is a shortage and they need all they get for other things. The one I purchased off ebay is the wrong weave. Not a terrible mismatch but need perfection. They do have the vinyl needed for the rear arm rests. I will order that and the extra yardage needed for other projects. SMS has a separate item for sail panels that I forgot(?) to order. They said they could get that out right away. Other orders I have with them are "a long way out". Ahh first world problems! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted September 24, 2022 Author Share Posted September 24, 2022 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted September 25, 2022 Share Posted September 25, 2022 (edited) wonderful work, I love it . Where did you find the floor ( plastic floor ) to put in the trunk ? Thanks Edited September 25, 2022 by sebastienbuick (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted September 28, 2022 Author Share Posted September 28, 2022 I purchased material from SMS several years ago. They are the only place I could find any NOS material. Ted 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usnavystgc Posted September 28, 2022 Share Posted September 28, 2022 Wow, the interior looks so good Ted. I think the interior of the car is the area that is really satisfying when you get it all done. I'm redoing my 56 Super and man what a difference it makes in how the car feels when you get in. Did SMS do your door skins? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted September 29, 2022 Author Share Posted September 29, 2022 (edited) PUI is the vendor for 65 Wildcat seats and door panels. I had all the patterns for PUI; they copied my old ones and they have sold them for the last 10 years. Their "thank you" was a black custom coupe interior and bench seat convertible set. Not bad but my convertible seat was red! I have to recover a brand new seat with the red. https://rpui.com/-Interior-1965-Buick-Wildcat-Custom-White-Front-Bucket-Seat-Covers-65USWC37U Edited September 29, 2022 by Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted October 4, 2022 Author Share Posted October 4, 2022 Close...again. Alignment and dash. Thanks 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 Very very Beautiful ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin1221 Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 Absolutely beautiful! I love it! Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Is it possible to determine how many 4-speed Wildcats were built in this color combination? Can't be very many... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted October 8, 2022 Author Share Posted October 8, 2022 Well this is a "one of none" since the Custom Bucket interior was not an option in red for 65 Coupes! Plus I put a 5-speed in to replace an automatic. Modified class for sure. Unfortunately the Daily Production Sheet summary tallies the number of 4-speeds and color options separately as well. We can see some option combinations in the data like engine + transmission and power accessories. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XframeFX Posted October 11, 2022 Share Posted October 11, 2022 Morphing back to Q4 1964, I'd put my order in for a new '65 Wildcat just like this (minus 5-speed of course). Do what it takes for a unit with red interior Mr. Dealer . . . please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Skelly Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 On 10/8/2022 at 8:34 AM, Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel said: Well this is a "one of none" since the Custom Bucket interior was not an option in red for 65 Coupes! Plus I put a 5-speed in to replace an automatic. Modified class for sure. Unfortunately the Daily Production Sheet summary tallies the number of 4-speeds and color options separately as well. We can see some option combinations in the data like engine + transmission and power accessories. What an awesome project you have done, Ted! Is it possible that a red or other interior color could have been done at the factory as a special order such as what Cadillac did? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted September 21, 2023 Author Share Posted September 21, 2023 Revisiting this project - update! Austin Osborn of Speed Detailing came down from INDY and put a shine on this bad 'Cat! Getting ready for a big MCACN display of the BIG Buick Muscle! Ready? no but working hard to get them together. Cheers, T 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted September 21, 2023 Share Posted September 21, 2023 Nothing nicer than a shiny black car. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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