62 Wildcat Field Car

[Ed_D]

Hi everyone, I'm new so I hope this is in the right spot for this.
My Name is Ed and I'm from NY. I'm a semi-retired auto restoration specialist who is getting back into the field. My father was a big Buick man owning dozens and dozens over the years so I had the privilege to restore, drive and own several nice Cars.

Ok, here is what brought me here. Over the last month I made my rounds re-aquainting myself with all my old car connections, car fields, junk yards etc. One stop in particular was a old friend who has a 62 Wildcat. I tried to buy this car from in 1986 with no luck. Now, he will sell it to me but, do I really want it? The car has been sitting outside for decades but was covered for many of those years with some sort of canvas which I removed in pieces. Being a field car in NY the floors are rotted but, it is a complete car missing the shifter ball, right front fender and 4bbl. The interior is in amazingly great shape considering. The kicker about this car is that it has 65,000 original miles on it and I'm assuming its a matching number car. It was parked because it got hit on the right front corner bending the bumper in toward the tire. I believe the fender was removed for replacement but they never finished the job.

To get this car will be difficult. I may have to cut trees to get the flat bed to it, and I don't have the room to store it now so I will need to bring it to another field until I can make room.

Is this car worth the investment? I realize there were only 2000 made and that there are only a few dozen left but it will cost me allot to restore this with swapping bodies, frames, drive trains etc. I just don't know the Buick market very well to make this decision.

The car is sea mist green, w/the same color interior. It has light blue inserts in the seats. It has all the factory options. Not sure which motor it is.

Oh yeah one more thing, is the VIN in the driver side door jam on these? Next time I'm there I will look for it.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Ed

[Jim Carmichael]

The Wildcat is rare but there were many others made with the same body so replacing all the bad parts should be easy. Some of the things for a 1962 Wildcat were 1 year only so even if you don't put this car back together you will find the parts are valuable. There were 2000 made but I was told that there are less than 50 that are still registered and only 36 are known about by the Buick Club. This information may not be right but it's close. A man named Al in British Columbia is an expert on these cars.

[Ed_D]

Thanks Jim for the feedback. I've decided that I'm going to try to get the car. Its a long haul but I think I have it all setup. I'm even going to try to get the car inside. I need to cut one small tree for the flat bed to make the swing, cut some vines, and its a clear shot. I took some pictures the other day so I can further digest the project and now I'm not so unsure. I also reached out to some other people I found on the net and a few said they are interested in the car so at least it wouldn't be a total loss. Ill stop back later in the week to see if I can get some pics up.
Thanks again, Ed

[63wildcat]

Good luck with this.

I'd recommend you give these fellows a call.
http://classicfabrication.com/

I would guess they have what you're looking for, in terms of
floor pans, rockers etc

This is there current price list for the '61-'64 full size Buick. Ask for Richie.

All Parts are 18 Gauge
Prices are for each Left or Right Piece plus S&H
Front Floor Pans$65.00Rear Floor Pans$65.00Outer Rocker Panels (2 dr model)$55.00Inner Rockers Panels$45.00Body Mount Braces behind Rear Wheels$40.00Trunk Panels above Body Mount Braces$35.00Center Body Braces (curved ones under rear floor pans) 16 in.$40.00

[63wildcat]

Here's one in Hemmings..
1962 Buick Wildcat

$5,000
Seller Notes:

BUICK: 1962 Wildcat, 1st year, 2 owner, 100% complete, 401/325 horse, buckets, console, tach, clean interior, 48K original miles, runs, needs resto, $5,000. 941-746-5597, FL. $5,000

[Ed_D]

wow, $5k would seem to be a decent price...but that would depend on the condition I guess. Ok, thanks for all the feedback here.

[bruce greig]

i bought a 62 wildcat on ebay about a year ago.paid $5200 only 70000 original mikes on it.had rust around the back screen so im waiting on a new vinyl top.car is now in new zealand.very impressive car for the year.and the interior is like new except for carpet fade..moving to new york state in o8 so ill be selling the buick which sucks.these cars should be worth more with so few left and being such a well made car but most people just want a mustang.....impala or old corvette ive owned 3 64 impalas .nice lookin car but theyre dogs to drive comparsd to the wildcat.hard to believe they share the same chassis.and i love that nailhead motor.