Vehicle Description
Superb restoration of a final-year Wildcat. Everything is new: A/C,
disc brakes, suspension, top, paint, and more. Heavily documented
including build sheets and receipts. Potent Stage 1 455. Buick
sledgehammer performance in a more civilized package.The Buick
Wildcat was designed to draw younger buyers into showrooms in the
early '60s, but by 1970, there were other performance models
available so the writing was on the wall for the full-sized
Wildcat. Only 1244 Wildcat convertibles were built in that final
year, marking the end of an era when full-sized luxury still got
you plenty of performance. This particular 1970 Buick Wildcat
convertible has been extensively and expensively restored with the
goal of building one of the best examples in the world. Starting
with a solid, rust-free car, it was stripped bare and refinished
from there. The two-stage turquoise metallic paint simply glows,
accentuated by the white pinstripes on the fender lines. We should
note that this particular shade of blue/green is difficult for
digital cameras to reproduce and we've tried to adjust the photos
to make it accurate, but your monitor may render it differently.
It's just gorgeous in person. The finish is deep and glossy, far
better than anything you could get in 1970, and all the chrome was
refinished to make a sparkling accent to the deep aqua paint. The
bodywork is laser-straight and our only possible complaint is a
driver's door that's off just a touch, but that's easy to rectify
if you seek perfection. All the correct 'Wildcat' script emblems
were reinstalled, along with the faux fender vents, and the badge
on the rear bumper is an outrageously expensive NOS piece. The
overall look is both sporting and luxurious, which was entirely the
point.Inside there's fresh white vinyl, which Buick called Pearl
White, code 465. A combination of original and reproduction
components, it's uniformly excellent with black carpets and dash to
help keep the inside from being white overload. There's plenty of
room for five?or even six?passengers while the wrap-around dash
still gives the Wildcat a sporty feel when you're behind the wheel.
The gauges were completely restored, including the very difficult
to reproduce chrome bezels, and they all work properly including
the clock. Other options include automatic climate control
(completely rebuilt with new parts throughout), a working AM/FM
radio with rear speaker, and Buick's 'Seed Alert' system that
buzzes when you hit a pre-determined speed. The steering wheel
remains in excellent condition and the dash pad isn't cracked or
damaged by UV rays. Overhead there's a new black power convertible
top with glass rear window, and it stows neatly under a matching
white boot that fits properly. The massive trunk offers a
reproduction mat and plenty of room for your next road trip.The
sole engine available in the Wildcat is the same 455 cubic inch V8
offered in the GS, although for some reason the Wildcat was rated
at 370 horsepower, 10 more than the GS. It does make the same
massive 510 lb-ft. of torque, so this big car feels effortless in
everything it does. Nicely detailed, it wears correct Dante Red
engine enamel, a proper air cleaner that proudly announces this
Buick's biggest V8, and a host of new components throughout. As I
mentioned, the A/C system is completely new, as are the brakes,
including front discs. It starts easily, idles with a muscular note
from the dual exhaust, and just generally does its job without any
fuss, which is what giant V8s do best. It's backed by a TH400
3-speed automatic transmission, possibly the best automatic ever
invented, and there are 2.78 gears out back, so this ragtop just
loafs along on the highway at supra-legal speeds. You'll also find
new lines and hoses throughout, new springs, shocks, and bushings
in the suspension, a new gas tank out back, and super clean floors
without any issues or signs of rot. If it needed something, it got
it, with the receipts to back it up. And while the build sheets say
it came with steel wheels and deluxe wheelcovers, the addition of
Buick Road Wheels is a welcome change and it carries fresh
235/75/15 whitewall radials all around.Documentation is extensive.
We have two legible build sheets and dozens, if not hundreds, of
pages of receipts for all the work that was done during the
restoration. This car was also featured in the October 2024 issue
of 'The Buick Bugle,' the official publication of the Buick Club of
America.Big, powerful, and unusual, this Buick stands out even in
our showroom. It comes from a great collection owned by a
passionate Buick enthusiast with the means to make his cars right,
and his love for this car is evident everywhere you look. There's
easily twice the asking price invested in the restoration, making
this full-sized convertible somewhat of a bargain. You probably
won't find a nicer one anywhere. Call today!Harwood Motors always
recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any
vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
