For the longest time, I believed Buick’s full-size hotrod, known as the Wildcat, was a two-door-only model. Well, today’s review of a spectacular 1967 four-door sedan disabused me of that notion. I’d place this Anoka, Minnesota domiciled example in survivor status – it is a looker and interested parties will find it here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $2,000 with the reserve not yet met. There’s a BIN price of $12,980 available too.
First available in ’62, the Wildcat had a nine-year lifespan, continuing on through ’70. Apparently, the source of my confusion stems from the ’62 example only being available as a two-door hardtop. That changed in ’63 with the addition of both a four-door hardtop and a convertible being added to the line-up. The four-door sedan came on board in ’64. Wildcats were available in two flavors in ’67, a “Custom” trim level and a standard Wildcat. The combined trims put up some fair numbers with an output of 68K units. And four-doors greatly outnumbered two doors with 43K copies (64%) finding new homes.
Yesterday, I wrote this post for a ’69 Skylark convertible, and one of our contributors suggested, “Looks like the ’69 Skylark has the DNA of its BIG brothers, ’67 and ’68 full-size Buicks” and I would have to completely agree with that observation – there are styling similarities. The seller states, “Texas car that is solid. Very clean and straight body. Solid underneath the car.” Pictures do the talkin’ and I can’t find a thing out of place with this 4,400 lb. cruiser. The turquoise finish, a popular hue across GM’s divisions in the late sixties, does this car total justice – wouldn’t it be great if we still had these shades available today?
The old tried and true Buick “nailhead” engine sang its swan song in ’66 and ’67 marked the first year for its new “big block” overhead valve V8 and in this case, it’s in the form of a 360 gross HP, 430 CI powerplant. Backing up this big mill is GM’s venerable Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission. The seller claims it “runs great.” The engine compartment appears to be complete and original.
With 105K miles on its clock, the interior is showing its age, and wear, as the seller states, “The interior is original and still in nice condition. The front seat does have wear on it.” As noted, the front seat bottom is starting to fray and the back rest, viewable in other listing images, is revealing degradation too. Beyond that, no complaints. The dash and instrument panel are typical late sixties GM, favoring bright trim and warning lights over gauges. Note the CB radio, you can “Breaker One Nine” to your heart’s content in this big rig. Finally, the seller notes, “The AC is hooked up and turning on.” OK, so it works, but not really. I imagine it needs a charge, at the minimum, and that will mean a 134a retrofit.
It’s hard to deny this Wildcat’s condition. While it doesn’t project a “wild” performance image, it is Buick’s dignified style, quality, and performance at its best. The trick, of course, will be finding someone who’s still interested in four doors worth of that style, quality, and performance, right?
I’d known about the Wildcat 4-door hardtop myself but this post sedan is a new one on me.
I’ve always been Wild about 67 and 68 Buicks. Love the S line sweep. A friend had a 69 Wildcat convert. Although Mercury used *Sign of the Cat* for Cougar, I’ll take a WILD CAT. But the buy now price is NOT so nice, especially for a 4 door sedan.
If everything worked and it was ready to roll (A/C, interior), that price would be quite nice, I think.
Hey, Rick W, how you doing?
I’ve always liked the lines of the ’67-’68 full size Buicks. This one flows a little smoother with the fender skirts, although they were kind of a pain to remove at wash time.
Apparently, everything but the a/c works, so fix that and reup the front seat if you can find the material at S&M or that other place who’s name always escapes me. Nice interior otherwise. And detail on the engine compartment. Nice driver then.
Liked the ’67s better mostly because of that goofy thumb wheel climate control on the ’68s. WTH? Notice that lasted only a year. By the time you dialed to maximum cool, it was time for heat! LOL!
One of these days, I might drive up and walk the lot at this place. About 40 miles from my house. They put a lot of cars on BF.
I bought the car! shown in the picture, it will be headed to FL to it’s new home!
Too cool 😎 Absolutely love it. Thanks J.O.
The literal weak link here is the constant velocity joint in the driveshaft. They were like trying to decipher Chinese to us as young mechanics. The way around it was to get 1 from the local junkyard for $10 bucks.
Such beautiful cars Buick Made. Today we have these humongous pick-up trucks, why no big heavy floating quier powerful sedans and hard tops anymore?
IMO the industry has been brainwashed into believing everyone wants those BLOATED SUVS masquerading as Luxury vehicles at BLOATED prices. Unfortunately too many are drinking the KOOL Aid and buying into in. My current low mileage 2007 Town Car Signature Limited is the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans. LINCOLN ,what a Luxury CAR should be and Unfortunately ONCE was.
Actually cars like this were legislated out of production. Now we look at this car wistfully and wonder how things got where we are.
I love this car and all its doors. A sedan will be quieter and just as good a performer. She’s gonna like good fuel but you’ll smile all the way to and from the gas station.
Though ’67 introduced a Buick V8 of different & improved design, I’m still a sucker for that classic nailhead of the prior year(s).
I agree 100 percent with RICK W. I too own a very low mileage Town Car, an 09 Signature Limited. Also have an 03 Grand Marquis that will turn 150,000 miles tomorrow on the way hone from visiting my grandkids in Carlisle, PA.