Sherman's History Timeline

Some of these documents were obtained under the rules of the DPPA of 1996, which requires personal information not be re-disclosed. Because of this, some information is blurred

FEBRUARY 28 1964            

The Wildcat begins life the days around February 28, 1964, in Wilmington, Delaware as Job # 301. Shipped to Fields Buick, Inc., 5323 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD as order #1233. 17,519 four door Wildcat hardtops were produced that year.  

Click here for more pictures and information about Fields Buick

APRIL 7 1964 

A married couple, the husband aged 71 and wife aged 73, receive a MD title for the Wildcat. They lived in Chevy Chase, MD. No MSO or Lien recorded.

JUNE 1971

The wife, age 80, passes away.

JANUARY 27 1972

The 78 year old owner applies for new title after his wife’s death because on the title their names were listed with an “and” making them co-owners. If listed with an “or” it would not have been a problem.  

JANUARY 1974

The 80 year old husband passes away.

There is a five-year gap in records from January 1972 to October 1977. I suspect during this time the couple moved back to D.C. where they had spent some of their life. WI released some useful information, but DC will only give me information if I can come up with a title number, which I can only come up with if I have a driver's license number, which cannot be released to me under the DPPA.

WI:  DC:

OCTOBER 14 1977

My father's Air Force buddy is issued a WI title for the Wildcat.

Sometime between dealer purchase and my father's Air Force buddy's purchase, the Wildcat is involved in accident that crumples driver rear quarter panel. It is believed accident involved a Toyota pickup truck.

 MAY 15 1978

My father's Air Force buddy sells the Wildcat to my father for the sum of $100 in Price George’s County, Maryland. Mileage is written in at 83,286, but true miles unknown.

MAY 18 1978

My father applies for Tennessee title of the Wildcat. After all fees were considered, it cost $28.50 to tag and title the Wildcat. Car is dubbed “Sherman” after it’s massive size, a comparison to the Sherman tank.

1979

Car makes its way to the Philippine Islands as my father is in Air Force.

1981

Car makes it way back from the Philippine Islands and serves the family well in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama.

JANUARY 17 1998

 

After a long period of sitting in my father's backyard in Alabama because of a problem with the mounting surface of the water pump, Sherman is towed away to Dean’s Auto Salvage in Lacey’s Spring, AL.

MAY 14 2004

Same tow truck operator than removed Wildcat from my father's residence delivered it to mine.

AUGUST 29 2004

Sherman cranks for first time after junkyard storage.

NOVEMBER 6 2004

After more than ten years, Sherman moves under his own power. Reassembly of front of engine was completed 11-4-04, with a new timing chain, cam sprocket, belts, and heater hoses. Original water pump and fuel pump were still good.

JANUARY 22 2005

Sherman is driven on public road under his own power for the first time since the 90s.

JUNE 2005

The start of Sherman's cosmetic restoration. This visit to the body shop removes all rust from the roof. 

FEB 2006

A newly refinished door from the parts car was installed on Sherman.

JUNE 14 2006


The first stages of replacing Sherman's wrecked rear fender with a good one have begun.