My thought, for the longest time, was that Buick’s Wildcat series was strictly a performance variant, relegated to either two-door hardtops or convertibles – all the GM divisions, well, maybe not Cadillac, had one. But that’s not exactly the case – more on that to follow. Today’s discovery, courtesy of Curvette, is a 1968 Wildcat Custom convertible in what seems to be an appropriate Wildcat color, Scarlett Red. That said, this one could use some work. Stored in seclusion in Vancouver, Washington, this big drop-top is seeking a new life and is available here on craigslist for $3,200.

Yes, the Wildcat (’63-’70) did exude performance, much like Pontiac’s Grand Prix, but Wildcats also came with an extra set of doors if so desired, and in hardtop or sedan body styles. The seller claims that this car is one of approximately 3,200 assembled, and I’d say that’s close to what my research has uncovered (3,500). As for positioning, the Wildcat occupied the slot between the top dog Electra and the entry-level LeSabre. In the case of this Wildcat, we’re told that it spent the last twenty-one years in storage, and it’s looking pretty shaky for the experience. The seller claims, “Straight body with no rust,” but the body panels, in places, look lumpy, like it was painted with a roller. Of course, the accumulated dirt makes an accurate assessment difficult. The seller mentions that the rear bumper and radiator are missing, but the detached trim is included with the sale, along with a set of chrome Buick road wheels and the fender skirts. To state the obvious, that convertible top is going to need to be replaced.

“Ran when parked,” an oft-made claim, is the case here, and the culprit in question is a 360 gross HP, 430 CI V8 engine saddled up to a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission. Besides the missing radiator, we can add hoses, belts, the distributor cap, points, rotor, and spark plug leads to that MIA list.

So, “How’s the interior?” you ask. Well, I can’t say; it’s not really photographed, and the environment is occupied by a pile of detached parts. It has a steering wheel, minus the center trim piece, and there may still be seats in place, but your guess is as good as mine.

This Wildcat, on the surface, checks a lot of boxes. It’s a convertible, powered by a big V8 engine driving its rear wheels, and it was designed and built by Buick, one of America’s preeminent and esteemed auto manufacturers, in 1968. Greatness could be this car’s destination once again, but it’s going to take a lot of time, effort, and $$$ to make that goal a reality. So, what do you think, for $3,200, would this car be a worthy project?