1964 Buick Wildcat

Description

1964 Buick Wildcat convertible.
Correct Code V factory red, white bucket seats, white top (see data plate photo).
Strong matching numbers 401 engine, power steering and brakes, 3:08 positraction, factory wire wheel covers, power trunk release (works), dual chrome remote mirrors.
This car belonged to a good friend in the Buick Club from
1981 to 2018. It has always been garaged and carefully maintained.
A thick book of receipts and records go with the car.
These are powerful cars and fun to drive, and were often called “banker’s hot rods.” My Dad bought one new and it was our favorite family car for about 14 years.
Top and Interior:
Excellent white top, looks recent, plastic back window has some slight hazing.  Nice dash pad, good to excellent original bucket seats and console.  Door and side upholstery panels were new by SMS upholstery in 1996.  Carpet and most rubber weather stripping also replaced in 1996 and still looks new, and makes the car tight and rattle free. Nice white top boot. The power top motor recently stopped working. The radio is missing and there is no cardboard glove box liner.
Motor and drivetrain:
Motor is very strong, no smoke or knocks.
Transmission shifts smoothly, 3:08 posi operates smoothly.
Tires look great, they are very old, I would NOT drive long distances.
Repairs during my ownership (by professional mechanic, with receipts):
Transmission fluid and filter change; posi fluid change; brakes checked; new aluminized single exhaust with transverse muffler; added NOS center link, new tie rod ends, new lower control arm bushings, new front springs, could use a front end alignment; new rear shocks and rear panhard bar bushings.
Body and chrome:
Nearly all trim and bumpers were rechromed 1995 to 1996.  Quality ranges from excellent to very good to average.  The front bumper, grille, headlight surrounds, hood moldings are excellent.  The ribbed side chrome looks very good but there are pits that were not perfectly sanded prior to chroming.  Rear ribbed chrome panel is very good to excellent. Tail light moldings have some pitting (original?); Driver side rear bumper end looks excellent; bumper center has some slight scuffing and fading; passenger side rear bumper end has flaking chrome (original?) – but no rust out.
The car spent most of it’s life in a small town in Missouri.  It is very straight, the only visible rust are areas below the rear tail light moldings.  In 2005 the front clip and motor were removed, the body and underside of the car were soda blasted down to bare metal (receipt).  Look at the photos of the underside of the car, there apparently was no undercoating on the underside
of the floor, the floor pans, braces, back of rockers are excellent and extremely clean.  I did scuff the underside and repaint with chassis paint prior to the new exhaust. The underside looks nearly as good as a body off restoration.
There are issues with the 2005 exterior paint, which I have tried to show in photos.
The car looks great from about 10 ft. but if you look closely there are erratic rare to common small “bubbles” that are lifting off the primer.
There are larger areas on the upper sides of the rear quarters where some paint is starting to lift, and numerous drips? on the hood.  The paint on the front fenders, driver door, and trunk is very good.  It appears the painter had some water or oil in his spray gun?, some of the patterns look like a “fan spray.” Unfortunately the paint shop declared bankruptcy and issues were never fixed.  You could repaint the hood and drive and enjoy the car as is.  Or you could repaint the entire car to make it show quality.  Reluctant to sell, need to finish restoring two other cars.  Car is near Oklahoma City and can be viewed evenings and weekends by appointment.  This car is sold as is without warranty.  You must pick up in person or I will assist the transporter.  I have sold cars overseas (shipped out of port of Houston, Texas).  Starting bid 500 no reserve. Many thanks.