What’s in a name? Well, quite a bit, actually, when an automaker with a typically conservative reputation chooses to call one of their offerings a Wildcat! But that’s one of the things I’ve always admired about Buick when every so often the powers that be seem to be in the mood to have some fun with a car. I’m speculating that many buyers initially probably saw it as little more than a glorified LeSabre, but the car did have a somewhat sportier grille and additional trim on the sides that incorporated Buick’s trademark vent ports in the process. If you’ve been in the market for a sixties Buick hardtop, this 1963 Wildcat may be worth a look. The car is up in Pasco, Washington, and can be found here on eBay with an asking price of $4,900.
The Wildcat looks pretty big, but it wasn’t Buick’s largest offering in ’63. That award went to the Electra, which was nearly half a foot longer, but the ‘Cat still offered plenty of room and comfort inside for its occupants. This example has the bucket seats and center console, with that cool Buick tach on top, and the dashboard has been modified for an upgraded aftermarket radio, although there’s not one present. The dash pad shows some cracks and the steering wheel has at least one, but overall things don’t look too bad inside, and if a driver is all the next owner is going for perhaps a set of inexpensive covers for the front seats may suffice.
Originally, the seller believes his Wildcat was white, but it’s currently wearing an older purple paint job, with a shade of blue in the door jambs. When I think of purple, this is not exactly a hue that comes to mind, but in any event, the body is said to be mostly straight. Some rust repairs were made in the past that are starting to show again in the quarter panels, and there’s also some rust on the back of the trunk lid. The front bumper has tapped something and is bent, and the back one’s a little funky too, plus it looks like some body work was attempted on the passenger side front fender. But for the most part, the body appears to be at a reasonably decent starting point.
Powering the Wildcat is Buick’s 401 V8 known as the Nailhead, a name lovingly contrived from the valve angles resembling, you guessed it, nails. The motor was factory rated at 325 horsepower, and if you want to start a gearhead discussion that could last all day, go to a Buick convention and ask a group of people if the 401 is a small block or a big block. The seller says the motor sounds great, and that the car runs and drives fantastically. You also have the option to submit an offer if the price of $4,900 seems a bit much for your tastes. What are your thoughts on this 1963 Wildcat?
The poor man’s Riviera? Same engine/transmission, and basically the same interior. Probably the same X-frame too I’d bet.
It looks blue to my eye, but my wife and I never agree on colors….She’d probably say it’s purple.
I’d say 5K is a really decent price for this car, despite it’s flaws.
To quote Herb Powell( Danny DeVito,) yelling at college eggheads about the new car named “Persephone”,, people don’t want cars named after hungry Greek broads, they want wild animal names, like Mustang, and Wildcat( he said Cheetah, but you get the point)
This is pretty sad, but someone kept it, poorly, I might add, because it was a very classy car to someone, possibly someone they held dear. GM had a definite “pecking order”, it was Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, then Buick. The last step was a Caddy. Most never got to the Caddy, and this was the best they did, and certainly no shame. Gentlemens cruisers were all the rage in the 60s. Cruising down 4 lane boulevards was a new American pastime, and not much did it better than a Wildcat.Rex says a poor mans Riv. IDK about that. The Riv had a different following, this was more for the single uncle ( or in a rare case,,Aunt) that had a good job, lived at home, and impressed his bowling buddies every Wed. night, and coffee at BigBoys after, with this car. Road trip? No problem. The Riviera was more of an upper class vehicle, this was for the average person that knew what to drive. Be a project, but unlike some old Bronco, you’ll have one of the nicest cars of the 60s. Good find at a plausible price, finally.
My uncle was a Buick guy and in 63 he bought a Wildcat. His daughter, my cousin and I were both in High school at the time. Well, he let her have the car one Saturday night and one of her boyfriends said ” Let’s see you hit 6000 rpm” She had no clue what RPM meant, only that there was a little dial and when you pushed the gas pedal it went up. So she just pressed on the gas and sent it up to 6000 while in park. Not sure how long she held it there but it did break a lifter. My uncle got that fixed and they kept the car up until about 67 or 68 and the old nailhead was still running when they sold it.
Talked to the owner about 5 weeks ago and he said he would like around 4K for the car. Within a week the car apparently was sold. Several weeks ago the car came back up for sale. Something ‘s not right.
Flipper?
Love the car, just not the Dynaflow.
ACZ,
Educate me on why the Dynaflow is bad. My ’63 Riviera has one, and it seems to deliver the power perfectly fine. You can’t feel it shift, and it’s quiet.
I’d be interested to know why you don’t like them. Seemed logical to Mr. Spock.! Thanks.
A temperamental and inefficient transmission. Plus, people that are knowledgeable of Dynaflow repairs are fast disappearing. The TH400 is heads and tails above it, and with the switch pitch version is almost as smooth as the shiftless wonder.
And, Leonard loved his Riv. Smart man with a very good taste in cars.
just a thought …wonder if the BOP 200r4 would work in this car…that would sure help …..
I recall so many of these in the 80s being sold for scrap. Rust killed them. As for the Dynaflow. I have a 61 Lesabre and a 64 Electra. The 61 has such a neat sound as you don’t feel the tranny shift but hear the exhaust sound change. I love that. I am the second owner of the 61, 40 years now, and never an issue with the Trans. The 64 Electra is a beast as the nail head reached 425 cubes and received the twin pitch 400th along with dual 4bbl carbs. Wildcat was the SS of the Buick line and could be ordered with the dual 4s in 63. Not sure the last time I saw one in the wild. This looks like a real nice survivor. The downside to me is the lack of options. Buick and bling roll hand in hand and this model was a sparsely treated one.
Style wise , the rear wheelwell is too far foreward and is directly below the sailplane . back window is not sporty . i am pecking apart the 17th one made in 1963 . California origin till i brought it to Illinois . it was a fun driver . people dug it . paper in the headliner , or carpet , indicates it was in the factory during the Cuban Missile Crisis . shipping document on card stock is folded and stuck in the electric antenna access door , in case somebody doesn’t know that . :-) . .