What to look for when buying a RMW

I'm wondering what the problem areas are? where does rust tend to start? any common problems that usually lead lots of cash out of your pocket?
I'm talking about either of the L05 or LT1 powered versions.
Thanks
Jon

1. Rust. Brake lines, especially up on the frame under the driver's door. Frame around the jack points. Body behind the wheels Floor, especially driver's side. Inner fenders. Under battery.
2. Interior. A ratty interior is work/cash to fix. However, I'd take a car that had racoons living in it if it was rust free.
3. Body. If you want your car nice, and can't do paint, be rich.

Everything else is just spinning wrenches.

If you really want a nice one, spend a few extra bucks and buy one from the south. I bought mine from Fred in North(or south, I can't remember) Carolina, and it is 100% rust free. Driving a 16 year old car everyday is somewhat risky, but by not having to worry about crap falling off your car as you drive makes it less of a concern, at least for me.

Yeah, if you get one that has seen any winters at all....plan on replacing

*Power Steering Lines
*Trans Cooler Lines
*Brake Lines

Exhaust Leaks - (missing manifold bolts..or bolt heads broken off) I've had to replace a manifold and many many bolts with all the cars I've owned or bought. Lol

Transmission Issues - When you get in for the test drive, put it in reverse. If it takes more than a second or two to go into reverse...plan on a rebuild. Joel has lots of good info on this in the transmission sticky.

Thanks guys.

Any pictures of your Wildcat? It looks very cool.

  Thanks, it's a fun car. it's 68 and I've had it for ~3 years now. When I got it, it had a new paint job, new exhaust, and new top, but that's about all it had going for it. The first year I had it I spent working on it to fix it up as a good driver. It's got new: brake system, whole fuel system, rebuilt the transmission, rebuilt the engine (455 out of a 70 Riviera), and a whole whack of your usual maintenance that had been neglected for a couple decades.
The only left it needs is to redo the front seats. .....and a re-chrome if I ever win the lottery.

That Wildcat is great! Never understood black interiors in these as it helps to have a brighter interior in a car with no overhead lighting. Keep up the work...that's a true head turner.

I think the responses by the current members regarding the question what to look for when
you buy a Roady Wagon were well thought out,even though I got mine over 5 years ago,I learned
some new things to look for. Anyway that Wildcat is an impressive machine. The 455ci Buick was
capable of producing gobs of HP and torque! ed

Yeah, it's got a ton of torque, It's bored out and everything was replaced on the rebuild. It's still only got ~300-400 miles on the engine so it keeps getting better and better as it breaks in. The only problem with living here is I only get 6 months of the year to drive it....
It's not the most practical, 6-7 mpg, can't drive it in the rain and the exhaust is not exactly whisper quiet  , but she sure is fun.

I've got a good line on a 92 RMW that needs some lower moldings. Will those fit from all 91-96?

I had a 1969 Delta 88 conv. They are fun!! 455 with a 2 bbl carb and peg leg rear. Would smoke 1 tire FOREVER!!

Sweet Wildcat! Long, handsome and rare. It's more than welcome to Winter down here with me.   

Olds Weighty Eight wrote:

Sweet Wildcat! Long, handsome and rare. It's more than welcome to Winter down here with me.   

Maybe I'll take you up on that, good winter storage is hard to find   

Aside from what the others mentioned, these areas were not readily visible on my '91.
My driver side floor has rust on the inside from wet snowy shoes.
The fuel line where it comes out of the tank rusted through.
The oil pan rusted through above the cross member.
Thank goodness, no roof leaks so far.

I sold my beautiful '69 Wildcat coupe to buy the wagon.
I loved it but as a regular driver it just used too much gas.
Also, with the 10.25 compression, it would ping like crazy in the heat without super and octane boost.

jayoldschool wrote:

1. Rust. Brake lines, especially up on the frame under the driver's door. Frame around the jack points. Body behind the wheels Floor, especially driver's side. Inner fenders. Under battery.

I was checking under the front wheel wells and noticed it is rusted out under the battery. What causes this? What are the repair options short of replacing the whole inner fender?

Thanks for the photos of the Wildcat. I love big convertibles of the late 60's thru the early 70's. Keep up the good work on its restoration.

Roadmasher wrote:

jayoldschool wrote:

1. Rust. Brake lines, especially up on the frame under the driver's door. Frame around the jack points. Body behind the wheels Floor, especially driver's side. Inner fenders. Under battery.

I was checking under the front wheel wells and noticed it is rusted out under the battery. What causes this? What are the repair options short of replacing the whole inner fender?

Battery acid leaks, causes rust under battery. Battery tray is right on the inner fender, moisture builds up, it rusts through. It's cheaper and easier to replace the complete inner. However, you can cut/patch/paint and put in a new tray if you're handy.

Just had the complete inner fender out to replace the power antenna. Lucky enough, no rust there.
Pete

jayoldschool wrote:

Battery acid leaks, causes rust under battery. Battery tray is right on the inner fender, moisture builds up, it rusts through. It's cheaper and easier to replace the complete inner. However, you can cut/patch/paint and put in a new tray if you're handy.

Dang it, can't figure out how to get the author and quote in the same box. . . .  

Thanks jayoldschool, that's pretty much what I figured. I haven't pulled the battery out yet to look at the tray, but I fear it looks like the one posted elsewhere. Now I gotta just find the parts. . .

Jon - love the Wildcat pics. I had 2 '70 GS 455's, one factory new one used. Great cars, think I have pics somewhere. . .

Thanks for all the comments guys. Just got a 92 RMW back up here and I'll write more in the intro thread I started.
It is super clean with no hint of rust on the inner fenders, battery tray or any of the lines.