I CONSISTENTLY SCAN THE ADS OF SPECIAL INTEREST CARS FOR SALE IN AND AROUND WALNUT CREEK CALIFORNIA, CONCORD, LAFAYETTE, PLEASANTON, MARTINEZ, BENICIA, AND ANY WHERE IN THE BAY AREA (SAN FRANCISCO). I SPECIFICALLY WAS SEARCHING FOR A BIG BLOCK WITH TWO 4 BBL AND AUTOMATIC.
THERE IT WAS. 1964 BUICK WILDCAT 425 CU-IN. TWO 4’S 360 HP. FOLKS IF THAT ENGINE IS 360 HP I AM A KAMIKAZE PILOT. RATED FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES, IT WAS IN REALITY MORE LIKE 500 HP. I CALLED THE OWNER AND MADE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A VISIT AND TEST DRIVE. LOOKING AT THE SHIFT INDICATOR THAT RESEMBLED A POWER GLIDE ON A QUARTER MILE STRETCH OF ROAD, I SAID DOES THIS THING MOVE? 
HE DROPPED IT IN FIRST OR LOW, CRANKED IT AGAINST THE BRAKE, NAILED IT AND DID A HEART POUNDING HOLE SHOT SMOKING THE TIRES ALL THE WAY INTO SHIFTING INTO SECOND WHEN IT WENT SIDE WAYS AND CONTINUED TO SMOKE THE TIRES UNTIL HE LET OFF THE GAS. I SAID, I’LL TAKE IT.
HE SAID, SEVERAL UNIQUE THINGS. OPENING THE HOOD, THERE WAS A CHAIN FROM THE FRAME TO THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT WILL SNAP MOTOR MOUNTS. HE SAID, THIS IS A BUICK SUPER TURBINE HIGH PERFORMANCE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LIKE THEY HAVE IN THE RIVIERA WITH THE SAME DRIVE TRAIN. MY DAD AND I REBUILT EVERYTHING FROM THE ENGINE TO THE REAR AXLE.
IT HAS A VERY COSTLY SET OF SPECIAL CRAGER CHROME 13” PERFORMANCE WHEELS. IT NEEDS TIRES, UPHOLSTERY WORK, AND PAINT ON THE TOP SURFACES.
I SAID, THAT’S FINE. HERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PUT DOWN ON YOUR CAR. YOU KEEP THE CAR AND TITLE. I MAY NEED THREE OR FOUR MONTHS TO PAY FOR IT. I AM AT WAYNE STEAD CADILLAC. NOT HARD TO FIND. HE SAID, ALEX, NOT A PROBLEM. IT WILL BE SITTING HERE WAITING FOR YOU.
I GOT IT BEFORE THE MOVE TO MEMPHIS. MY DAUGHTER THERESA HAD SAID, DAD SOMEDAY I’D LOVE TO OWN A BIG BLOCK FAST WHEELS. I SAID, I’VE GOT YOUR CAR. IT’S HERE IN MEMPHIS. I BORROWED AL CHYMIA SHRINE BROTHER’S PICKUP AND ENCLOSED CAR TRAILER (MORRIS FERGUSON) AND DELIVERED THE WILDCAT TO THERESA. I INSTALLED FOUR NEW TIRES IN CALIFORNIA. A SLIGHT OVER HEATING ENGINE OCCURRED. IT NEEDED A STOCK FAN SHROUD OR ELECTRIC THERMO FANS. GREAT CAR.
