Guest stoptheclunkerbillnow! Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Hi Pete,A friend here in town has a 63 Wildcat 2 dr HT parts car. It had an automatic. The body is pretty ruined but there may be a useable piece or two. Also I have a lead on a 63 LeSabre 4 door parts car. If there are any pieces you are still seeking, let me know and I'll take a look at what he has.Cheers,Tim Stangohr -Newton, KS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BEN FRANKLIN Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Pete. I just found a beautiful 63 Wildcat conv 4 speed 401 block and numbers match,red with a white top.Tach on the dash,console and maybe for sale. 35,000 miles on her and sitting for 15 years in a garage.What is this thing worth? Anybody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cardinal905 Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 4 months and no posts ? Ya just savin dollas for the push to the goal line ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossenfort Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Here is the ebay link for the 63 Wildcat 4-speed Convert <!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buick...fCarsQ5fTrucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest okprez Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Hi Pete. I don't know how rare the '63 Wildcat Convertible 4 speed was in production numbers but I remember back in 1971 when I was 16 years old in Arvada, Colorado and bought my first car - a 1962 Olds Starfire Convertible, I had a friend buy a 1963 Wildcat Convertible after I got my Starfire. His was car had the orginal paint and it was sort of a Brownish Rust color on the exterior. In 1971, it was in very good orginal stock condition. Had the factory Buick sport wheels. It had a factory 4 speed in a console with the factory Buick tach on the console too. As I remember, I think he claimed his car had a 425 cu. in. engine. I have read some posts which indicate that the largest stock engine available in the '63 Wildcat was the 401 cu. in. but I know he said his car had the 425. We would always argue about who had the nicest car then. We would race our cars against each other some and as I remember they were both ran about the same side by side. The '63 Wildcat is a nice looking car but I still believe my '62 Olds Starfire which was White outside and had the two tone red leather interior with the 394 cu. in. engine and the Automatic transmission is the nicest looking GM Convertible they ever made!!!! Boy I wish I still had my '62 Olds Starfire Convertible!!! I remember riding in my friend's '63 Wildcat Convertible and it was a wonderful car!! Good luck restoring your Wildcat Convertible!!Bill P. in OKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobravii Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Hey Pete,I have just read through this entire thread and I just want to let you know that you have inspired me to do the right thing with my car.I have a 1964 Buick Electra convertible and the floor is pretty much the same as your was. I was lucky enough to find another 1964 Buick electra convertible with minor rust damage in the floor. My initial intention was to use the body from my parts car on my frame and repair the minor damage. Being that my project car is one my dad bought new and is a numbers matching 425 dual quad car, It didn't really sit well with me to replace the whole body. Your story and pics have shown me that it's not impossible to use the floor out of my parts car only and retain the original car and heritage.Would you have any advice or tips for me as I start on this?Do you have any more pics of the floor replacement?Thanks,Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Larry,Find a welding shop that is not too busy to work on it until it is done, rather than one that will work on it only when other jobs are not coming in. That was my first mistake and why it sat at the first welding shop for over two years. Now the same thing is happening with the paint & body work. Get new rubber body mount pads and replace them before putting body back onto chassis. Pete Phillips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobravii Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 I will be doing all the welding myself so I will only be able to hold myself accountable :-)I do plan on using new body bushings and bolts.I see you have bracing in the door ways. Is this something you did or did the welding shop do it?Were there any problems lining up doors etc when the welding was done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 Bracing the door openings is critical to keep everything aligned when the body comes off the frame, and when rusty floors and rocker panels are removed and new ones welded in. In a convertible you don't have the rigid roof to keep things together, so the bracing is very necessary. The welding shop did that, as it was beyond my level of expertise, so I can't offer any more hints than that. The doors line up quite well now, thank goodness.Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Hi Pete! My white 65 4-speed is so close to paint - all rust fixed, all blocking done, it is to the point of the shop bolting on the core support, fenders, hood, doors, decklid, then spray, sand, buff. jams and so forth are already in color, and it looks like it will be awesome. Al's Hot Rod Barn is getting er done- one of his latest paint jobs was on a 87 Grand National; that car got best paint last weekend at a local show...and the Wildcat is looking even better than the black car. Pictures soon. Any progress on the 63 Wildcat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted October 22, 2012 Author Share Posted October 22, 2012 Finally, FINALLY some progress to report on this '63 Wildcat conv. 4-speed. A few months ago, I liberated the car from the paint & body shop that had it for over a year and did nothing but prime the trunk lid and hood. I found a place in Leonard, Texas where I should have taken it from the beginning. These guys are master metal workers and fabricators, and they had all of the previous welding fixed, smoothed over, and doors and trunk properly lined up within a few weeks. Last week, the car was primed and sanded; Thursday I bought the Arctic white paint & reducer; Friday they painted the car! I'll get some photos on Monday and post them here. It has been a long, long road for the resurrection of this rusty but rare Wildcat, and this week it will be back in my shop and under my care for putting it all back together. Hooray!Pete Phillips, BCA #7338Leonard, Texas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 4 bufords Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 very good pete,looking forward to seeing more progress on this project,good luck,4 bufords from ct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted October 22, 2012 Author Share Posted October 22, 2012 Photos taken this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgerRivFan Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Beautiful. Thanks for posting Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 AMEN to being back in YOUR shop............I will never understand shops that OVER PROMISE, UNDER PRODUCE. Makes one wonder how they stay in business. Looking good my friend,Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I am envious!! Can hardly wait for the finished product. Need another employee?? Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 You'll never work on the Bugle again when that baby is done.. You'll be out driving it all over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1953mack Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) . . . . . Yes, the were only 30 63 Wildcat 4 speeds, 18 4 Door hardtops, 6 coupes, and 6 Convertibles . . . . . Could this be one of the 6 convertibles?I took this pic at GM's Centennial Parade on Saginaw Street in Flint, Michigan in 2008, and remember talking to the owner. He mentioned it was one of a very low production model, but can't remember all the other details since my main interest is 1953-1954 Buick Skylarks. Can't tell you if he was at the 2008 Buick Nationals in Flint (I would assume) or a resident of Michigan. Maybe somebody can fill in the details. I thought the colour was cool. :cool:Al MalachowskiBCA #8965"500 Miles West of Flint" Edited November 26, 2012 by 1953mack (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41Roadmaster Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Pete, I'm so excited for you and can't wait to see her finished. I'm normally an early 40's guy, but this is a good looking car! (not to mention the rarity...) Keep up your great efforts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted November 8, 2012 Author Share Posted November 8, 2012 Reassembly begins. It is beginning to look like a '63 Buick again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Reassembly begins. It is beginning to look like a '63 Buick again...One great step forward putting the Wildcat script back on- and that COOL grill! glad to see it. we will have to have my 65 and your 63 together sometime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 4 bufords Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 maybe pete and ted can get the cats to south bend next july,4 bufords from ct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 That would make one hell of a show Don. I would probably just leave my junkers home in that case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 4 bufords Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 john,made my reservations a week or so ago at the microtel not far from the host hotel,4 bufords from ct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share Posted November 21, 2012 More photos as it goes back together. Due to the new floor pan, I need to cut a hole for the gear shift lever. I laid the four-speed shifter plate there for inspiration.If anyone has a spare hood lip molding, mine has disappeared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
421-6speed Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 I just brought the chassis home this afternoon from being powder coated in semi-gloss black. Will try to attach photos.Pete PhillipsBCA #7338This chassis looks like chassis black paint to me and not powder coated as powder coating requires heat to temps of 400*F to activate the thermal catalyst. Then that same 400* temp has to be maintained for several minutes to allow the powder to cure. No powder coater would ever do a complete chassis because all the bushings in the control arms would be going up in flames as well as the differential lube and wheel cylinders, springs would be sagging. I am not trying to rank just hope you didn't get taken. Good Lick with your project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
421-6speed Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 (edited) More photos as it goes back together. Due to the new floor pan, I need to cut a hole for the gear shift lever. I laid the four-speed shifter plate there for inspiration.If anyone has a spare hood lip molding, mine has disappeared.I know other early 60's GM vehicles equipped with 4-speed use a extension panel to cover up the hole in the floor board. Then the shift plate attaches to that (see pic.) This is the one used in 61-64 full size Chevrolet. The second pic is the one in my Bel Air and it was modified on the back side as it needed to be moved back 3" to accomodate the transmission I am using. If you do not have one for your car I would bet this one would fit perfect and make a much cleaner install. You can buy it new here. www.show-cars.com - 60, 4 speed transmission in 0001Looking at your early pics before the floor boards were removed it looks like there was a extension panel under the carpet. Edited November 25, 2012 by 421-6speed (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 A bit more of the trim is back on the car. Notice the "little gem" on the dolley roller at lower left of photo, which is ready to go back into the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kenneth Ferguson Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 I was at the Centennial Parade, and I live in Flint, and it is a '63 Wildcat 4 speed, convertible. You're right...the color is cool . ~Wildcat Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Anybody know where I can find a transmission mount for this four-speed transmission? Need a new one, and they don't exactly grow on trees! That's my latest hurdle to overcome.Pete Phillips, BCA #7338 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41Roadmaster Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Looking good Pete! Nice to see such care for such a beauty.I'm not sure what your mounts looks like for the 4-speed, but I did a quick search and it looks like Steele Rubber (www.steelerubber.com - Automotive rubber parts and weatherstripping for restoration cars, trucks and street rods.) offers 3 transmission mounts for 1963. This one is off the shelf, and lists it is for the Wildcat. If this isn't your little guy, I bet they could revulcanize your old mount. Hope that helps & Merry Christmas!Anderson[TABLE=width: 100%]<tbody>[TR][TD=width: 160][/TD][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][TABLE=width: 100%]<tbody>[TR][TD=width: 160][/TD][TD]Transmission mount, rear. 1 required per vehicle.1963 Electra, Invicta, LeSabre, Wildcat1964-72 Electra, Invicta, LeSabre, Wildcat, Century, Gran Sport, Regal, Sklark, Special, & Sportswagon1973: Century, Gran Sport, Regal, Skylark, Special, Sportswagon, & Apollo1974 Apollo & Skylark[TABLE]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][TD]<input type="image" src="https://secure.steelerubber.com/images/buynow.gif" border="0">[/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]70-2058-25.....$ 32.50/ea.[/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbuick Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 (edited) Pete,I bought one for my 65 Wildcat 4 speed. I have a 63 Wildcat coupe 4-speed with full console and a 65 Wildcat custom convertible 4-speed I bought from the original owner this summer. I ran into the same issues finding 4 speed parts as the catalogs don't show them. So I looked up corvette parts and ordered the trans mount and reverse light switch. Just make sure it's for a t-10 4 speed. The mount is an exact match, easy to get and at a low cost. I got #29835 or # 1JA5901E both numbers show on the package. It lists it as manual trans mount 63-81. I just looked up one for a 1980 Corvette from NAPA ( part# BK 6201024) and they stock it for $10. I have a repair shop in Seattle and we work on vintage vehicles often. Some jobs as you know takes longer to find a part then do the repair.Cant wait to see it done! Merry Christmas, Steve Fisher Edited December 24, 2012 by superbuick (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Many thanks for those leads.Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Pete,I would have Steele revulcanize yours. It will be a tiny bit more expensive than a new one, but sometimes the repro mounts aren't exactly the same....and that is on more popular applications than 63 Buick manual trans mounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kenneth Ferguson Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Have been searching for your transmission mount, if you still need one. Have located a new 4spd. transmission mount for a '64 Wildcat. I think, and so does my source, that they are the same. Would have to order, but I can provide you with info and an email picture of said part. Let me know if I can help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share Posted December 31, 2012 Kenneth,Got one already from NAPA, thanks to the earlier leads. Appeciate your offer to help, though.Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63-Cat Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Photos taken this morning.How did you get the portholes off without taking off the fenders? Thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Ever notice how some cars are just made to be red and white? Very, very nice, Ron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 Still plugging along on the '63 Wildcat conv. 4-speed. Here's the 425 engine, repainted in proper silver color (425-only color in the full-size cars) and almost ready to go back into the car. Have had a lot of trouble trying to get the 4-speed transmission and the U-joint to fit under the new floor pan/transmission tunnel. Granted, the replacement floor pan was from a 2-dr. hardtop with automatic transmission, but could there have been THAT much difference in floor pans? Got so frustrated, that I finally cut out the top of the transmission tunnel in the replacement floor pan, and will have to take it to a welding shop now to get greater clearance fabricated. Pete Phillips, BCA #7338 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) Can't seem to post any photos. I get an audible click and a little cartoon-like exclamation point when I try to post photos.Okay, went back and was able to post a photo today. Edited July 4, 2013 by Pete Phillips (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now