I BOUGHT A WILDCAT!

I never thought I'd need any more boat to keep me happy more than the '70 Barracuda which I've enjoyed the past 7 summers but I recently grew restless and wanted to go bigger. A CCF member contacted me about a 1969 Wildcat for sale in GA and I could not resist. Just got the '69 delivered earlier this week through uShip and I will get busy with some much needed cosmetic issues before bringing it up to NH next May/June to get some mechanical issues repaired. It has a Gray Marine Fireball V8...possibly a 225hp?? I have the original Gray Marine engine manual.

The old bottom paint is hideous and hope to do what it takes to remove it and get back to the original gelcoat(just what's visible). Naturally, the entire sopwith blue hull gelcoat needs lots of compounding/waxing. The windshield needs work and probably has to come off and get redone. Almost every frame is unglued, coming apart, loose...The instrument panel face plate(original) is pretty sad and will need something new in its place. And once again horrid blue carpet haunts the floor(Barracuda had it too) and will get textured vinyl flooring but the seat upholstery and side panels are in real good shape and though not to original style, it's not bad. But one of my biggest pet peeves--it doesn't have the original faux wood grain sport steering wheel!! Gonna have to scout around for one or I'll pout! The transom has WAY too much attached to it and I plan on taking off the 3, count 'em, 3! ski pulls, old rickety ladder and the most ugliest speedometer thingamajig ever! So, lots of hole filling is in my future!

I always appreciate any tips or any ideas on getting a classic back to being a...Classic.

    

    

    

    

       

Nice boat. It looks like the one in the '68 brochure. Ive never seen a gray marine in such a late model boat.

nice will Mike Kondrat do the mechanical work?

62 wood wrote:     Love all the roominess!!!

That is the first thing I noticed, cripes you could have a picnic NEXT to the engine - HA!

Orlando76 wrote: The dampener is correct for that boat right? I always liked the external dampeners for some dumb reason. You're keeping the ladder correct? 3 pulls, wow, must've been a tubing machine! Good luck and looks good already with potential.

Sorry, I don't know what a dampener is. And that ladder is history. I'd much rather have the old folding ladder that you hook over the gunwhale when needed. Just have to remember to put it in place before jumping over board! I'd be happy to sell the ladder to someone who wants it.

Looks like an AMC 327 (engine I hauled out to CT for Jack Winn).