I've gone to the Wild Side!

[grantprix]

I first saw this 1966 Buick Wildcat for sale on the Hemmings website a little over a month ago and I was hooked! The color combo, options and low mileage really peaked my interest. I had been wanting a mid 60's GM full size car for a while and this one fit the bill. I had to sell my '71 Cutlass survivor in order to get this car and it all worked out with the help from a good friend. The seller "Frank" was fantastic to work with and he provided many good quality photos in his listing. The car has a pretty cool story too. You can read more about it here and see all of the photos in his listing. https://www.cprforyourcar.com/1966-buick-wildcat-custom-sport-coupe-for-sale/

The car arrived here last Friday and I've been busy going over it. I got the original vinyl top cleaned up real good along with the trunk compartment. I also installed NOS points, condenser, plugs, made some carb adjustments and a fresh oil change. She runs really smooth now. The original distributor cap, rotor and plug wires are still in place. Also has its original belts, hoses (radiator hose clamps have been replaced at some point), radiator, alternator, starter, carburetor, distributor and more.

I took these new photos after I got it cleaned up. In time, I will start cleaning up the engine compartment as best as possible while preserving the original finishes.

[markinnaples]

I've always had a soft spot for those Wildcats. A guy in my neighborhood had a buddy who drove one in the 70's and it just looked pretty cool. Yours is just a beauty, congrats.

[big gear head]

Wow, what a beautiful car!

[RPOLS3]

What a sweetheart - congratulations.

[olredalert]

----I pulled this up and when I was looking at the pics I realized that I was saying (out loud to myself), "look at that, WOW" and then repeated myself again, and again. That's when Buick was at there best! When I see what GM is trying to pass of as a Buick now (mini SUV's and other crap)" it really does make me sad....Bill S

[Too Many Projects]

Yes, beautiful car, I really like Tahoe Turquoise, or whatever Buick calls it...:smile:

[cruiserofland]

Such a stunner - congrats!

[LT1vette]

Absolutely gorgeous....I had 71 Riviera GS back in the mid 80's when it was "just a car"! But it was a quick car too. Beautiful colours on this Wildcat...

[grantprix]

Yes, beautiful car, I really like Tahoe Turquoise, or whatever Buick calls it...:smile:

Shadow Turquoise for Buick. 😀

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

W:headbang:W score Grant, I can smell the original interior from here!
Cool it’s got the optional 425 4Bbl, largest also last of the Nailheads.
Amazing on the 1/4 Lamps, were the spare rims/tires thanks to his Plant Mgr. friend too?
What’s the NY Auto Show plexi piece mentioned in the link, a sign?
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[Burd]

That’s a beauty. We didn’t get any pics under the bonnet. And what is the auto show pc?

[Tenney]

Sharp! The one you take for a steak ...!

[grantprix]

‘

W:headbang:W score Grant, I can smell the original interior from here!
Cool it’s got the optional 425 4Bbl, largest also last of the Nailheads.
Amazing on the 1/4 Lamps, were the spare rims/tires thanks to his Plant Mgr. friend too?
What’s the NY Auto Show plexi piece mentioned in the link, a sign?
:beers:
~ Pete

.

Hi Pete,

So the original owner "Bob" was actually the service manager at Kemp Buick where the car was ordered from, that of course made it easier to get parts & accessories. His good friend was the manager of the Delaware plant where he requested the car be built so his friend could oversee the build. A couple years later when he first saw the side marker lamps on the new '68 Buicks, he asked his buddy if they could install them for him. He drove his car right to the plant and they did just that.

On the wheels, I elected to not include those with the car since they were actually the later style wheels with the black painted centers rather than the correct '66 dark gray finish. Bob's intention was to use them with the new radial tires which he elected not to do, they were never put on the car. BTW, the car still had the original tires on it when purchased by the seller, but were in bad shape from sitting flat all those years.

I haven't seen the NY Auto Show piece yet, that should be in the box of other parts that are on the way to me now. I'll have to post a photo of it later.

[grantprix]

That’s a beauty. We didn’t get any pics under the bonnet. And what is the auto show pc?

If you click on link from the seller's website, you'll see plenty of photos of the entire car. Here's a few of those engine compartment photos.

[69M22Z]

Beautiful!!

[napa68]

And he scores!

[396 SS/RS]

Fantastic and cool looking car! After my parents divorced in 78-79 my dad bought a used one with the same color combination.

[grantprix]

Of course I had to have a proper garage banner.

[olredalert]

Of course I had to have a proper garage banner.

----Grant,,, I want to see you reach the hood latch,,,LOL!. The under hood shots are very impressive. Not too much to do under there. Just a bit of a fluff!....Bill S

[grantprix]

----Grant,,, I want to see you reach the hood latch,,,LOL!. The under hood shots are very impressive. Not too much to do under there. Just a bit of a fluff!....Bill S

Bill... believe it or not, I do have room to walk around the front of the car. It's only 10" longer than a '69 GP. 😬
Yep, just needs a little cleaning up to make it look nicer.

[grantprix]

This was a cool surprise included with the car. I'm assuming this was Bob's shop coat from back in the day.

[396 SS/RS]

That sweep broom looks like a potential ding...

[dykstra]

Very cool Grant! Congratulations!! Gorgeous car

[Charley Lillard]

Can I have it ?

[Burd]

If you click on link from the seller's website, you'll see plenty of photos of the entire car. Here's a few of those engine compartment photos.

I thought all Buick engines had the distributor in the front, that must be later. Lean something every day, lol
There was a White ‘Cat that was at my GM mechanics place, some guy never picked it up, just sat there for years, I always asked about it. I don’t have pics.

[grantprix]

That sweep broom looks like a potential ding...

Nah, it's good. The way it sits on the floor, the stick is spring loaded against the wall.

[grantprix]

Can I have it ?

Nope, you got enough! 😝

[napa68]

I'm hoping there is a detailed account of how you get this car to the next level?:biggthumpup:

[grantprix]

I'm hoping there is a detailed account of how you get this car to the next level?:biggthumpup:

Luckily for me, the seller did most of the hard work after sitting all those years. I will share some photos the engine compartment clean up when I get to it. 👍

[RPOLS3]

I'm hoping there is a detailed account of how you get this car to the next level?:biggthumpup:

This ^^^^^

[SPEEDYB]

What a great car!

[60sStuff]

And he does it again.

Sorry Grant that I’m late to the unveiling on this site, although you did make me aware of your New Fantastic find and that the Big Cat did arrive recently.

I’ve known Mr. Baber for maybe 40 +/- years and this guy has always had elite taste for all kinds of automobiles from the 60’s / 70’s.
He has that unique knack that enables him to find gems such as this ‘66 Wildcat.

The lower body color is Killer (Shadow Turquoise).
Plus the front fender lower ornament/moulding is awesome.

I Love this car!
I can picture this Buick parked just up the road from you in Nevada at a casino.

PS, I love the story on the letter “I” on the hood and how it came to be. LOL 😂

[grantprix]

Chris, thank you for the kind words my friend. You're welcome to come up anytime, see it in person and go for a spin.

[grantprix]

I just made sense of the word "Circle" on the old shop jacket. Looks like Robert, the original owner changed dealerships sometime after Kemp.

[grantprix]

What’s the NY Auto Show plexi piece mentioned in the link, a sign?
:beers:
~ Pete


Pete, here's a photo of that NY Auto Show sign. The seller didn't send that and I can see why, it's rather large. It appears to be from the mid 70's to late 80's when Buick was using the Hawk logo.

[grantprix]

Took some new interior photos tonight with the original hang tags in place.

[grantprix]

Close ups.

[markinnaples]

Man, that thing is sweet. What a perfect weekend cruiser. I'd love to have that.

[Too Many Projects]

Man, that thing is sweet. What a perfect weekend cruiser. I'd love to have that.
Get first in line for first right of refusal when he gets it all detailed and gets bored with it and finds something else he has to have...:wink: Not picking on you Grant, I have been doing that for 30 years too. It "just happens"...:dunno:

[grantprix]

Yes, that seems to be the pattern with me. But this will be my last classic car, I promise. HaHa!

[Too Many Projects]

Yes, that seems to be the pattern with me. But this will be my last classic car, I promise. HaHa!
Summit has a T-shirt for that...:grin:
I got mine a few years ago...:wink:

https://www.yenko.net/forum/cache.php?img=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.summitracing.co m%2Fglobal%2Fimages%2Fprod%2Fxlarge%2Ftde-30588-2x_yz_xl.jpg

[grantprix]

Lol... perfect!

[RPOLS3]

Looks amazing - what a great car.