Finding a tidy and affordable survivor that is a turnkey proposition can sometimes be challenging, but this 1962 Buick Special ticks those boxes. It might not be as glamorous as some, but it is solid and ready for action. The seller’s photos are limited and low-quality, but this Buick shows plenty of promise. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Hans H. for spotting this gem listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Westmont, Illinois. The seller set their price at $10,500, which allows it to fall within the affordable category.
Buick reintroduced the Special to its model range in 1961 after a two-year absence. Its latest offering featured crisp and contemporary styling as the company abandoned the excesses that were a hallmark of vehicles from the late 1950s. This 1962 2-door Sedan is finished in subtle Arctic White, and there is much to like about its overall condition. The seller’s photos aren’t good, but they don’t reveal any significant paint or panel imperfections. There are no glaring signs of rust that would require attention, although I believe that an in-person inspection is warranted to establish whether there are hidden issues. The marks on the wheels suggest that this classic may have sported trim rings at some point, and replacing the rings would undoubtedly provide an affordable visual lift to the exterior. The trim is in good condition for its age, as is the glass.
The most significant slice of news for Special buyers in 1962 was the company’s decision to slot a V6 under the hood. That made this Buick the first volume-selling American car to feature an engine of this type, and its importance can’t be underestimated. The new motor may not have offered significant power advantages over a traditional straight-six, but its shorter length improved weight distribution and meant that the engine bay didn’t need to be as long. The first owner teamed the 198ci powerplant with a two-speed automatic transmission, and with 135hp and 205 ft/lbs of torque available, performance should be considered acceptable, rather than startling. The seller states that this classic runs well, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner. Interior information is limited to the seller confirming that it is trimmed in Black. However, their use of the word “clean” to describe this Buick’s overall condition is encouraging.
Cars like this 1962 Buick Special will never be mega-bucks vehicles, but they deserve their place in the classic world. Like so many cars from this era, they were treated as disposable items. Many have passed into the pages of history, meaning that clean and unmolested examples will often garner as much attention as those that are considered desirable icons. The only question hanging over this Buick revolves around the interior condition, but if that presents as nicely as its exterior, it could be a winner.
Wow. Hits alot of right buttons for me. Price isn’t bad, overall great shape & minimal rust (if any?) No interior photos, but I can go to the marketplace to see them. Only change I would make is a set of period correct whitewalls. Give `er spit polish and head for the car show! A cold beer says you’ll have the only one even remotely like it! GLWTA!
Why are people listing their cars on FBMP? That where people go looking for bargains. No bargain here. Close to asking price I would imagine.
I sold my 64 Studebaker Daytona on FB Marketplace. got over 3000 hits and sold my car at 90% of asking price in less than a month. And NO FEES !!
Recommendations of where else to look for old/interesting cars? There’s here (Barnfinds.com), BAT (where the cars are almost always way outta my price range), and sometimes craigslist, although nowadays there’s not much on craigslist vs. FBMP. Other recommendations? Serious question!! Thanks in advance!
Brother to the 63 Cutlass elsewhere on Barn Finds today. In fact the red fender outside in one of the pictures and the taillight corner shown in another look like 63 F85/Cutlass.
I’ve always thought these are handsome cars and the perfect size. If I could I’d give this a mild restomod treatment. Could a small V8 be squeezed in there? A 4 speed and a little extra rubber in back on torq thrust wheels.
Yes please.
Builders have done a number of these BOP (Buick/Olds/Pontiac) cars with bigger/later power. All enviable.
My ideal would be the Cutlass mainly, Tempest taillights, and a setup requiring three pedals.
It’s almost too nice as-is. Repaint the rims and enjoy. But a sweet swap would be a Grand National engine/trans, keep it a Buick and a V6!
Take a look on Facebook, many of similar or the same car as this getting v-8’s installed. But not a job for the bolt it in crowd.
Well, I’ve been buying and restoring old cars since the mid-60s, and thought I knew everything there is to know about what engines were available for cars, but this is the first I’ve ever heard of a Buick nailhead V6 engine!! I guess you’re never too old to learn!
My uncle bought a similar car new. It had a 215 ci aluminum v8. I wasn’t aware that any other motor was available.
OMC (Outboard Marine Corporation) used this motor in their first I/O units.
It was available by itself and they also made a OMC branded runabout, about 18’ tri-hull.
I think it was also used as an attempt to unseat the “Offy” at the Indy 500.
looks like enough engine compartment length for a 401
So? Another guy who wants to destroy a nice car to put in a bigger engine.
The V6 wasn’t a nailhead. It had the valves at the outer edges of the head and the pushrods at the inside. On a nailhead things were completely flip-flopped.
And, the nailhead’s distributor was at the rear of the engine, not in the timing cover.
Back in ’77, my high school buddy was looking for his first car. Found one of these sitting on the budget lot of a local Ford dealer. Paint was shot, but no rust, decent interior, and a V-8. All for $350. Ran great, had all the gears, and the brakes were good. He put $50 down on it. But the next day, went back and took his money back. Showed up at school in a ’72 Dart, which immediately crapped out. Didn’t tell me he let the Buick go. I went back to the dealer, but she was gone. I always thought these Specials were good looking cars, that you rarely see at car shows. But, I’m still building back better, so no cash can be spared at this time. But someone is going to get a sweet car.
One of my first cars. I lived on a farm and we could drive with farm use tags at 14 as long as you stayed within 7 miles of the farm (which was far enough to get me into town to buy farm items from the Farm Bureau. So before I turned 16 and could legally drive alone I had a 68 yellow VW and when my grandmother passed away, I bought her 62 Buick from the estate. Same color but was a 4 door, with the 215 v-8 aluminum (and you had to really watch the temperature on that motor). Same off white with a maroon metal dash and white cloth interior. 3 speed automatic I am pretty sure. Ran great on the gravel roads as well as the paved roads. Not exactly tight power steering but if this baby was with in 200 miles I would be thinking about it. The lack of A/C in FL is a bit of a bummer. I would not have thought a black interior was an option. Alas, I had the Buick at college and while sitting in a left turn lane to pull into a bank, a new Subaru DL wagon came around the corner and due to staring into the sunlight, never saw me and hit me on the left front. Totaled the Subaru, but only crushed the lights and crumpled the fender into the left front tire. My friend came up with the idea to use a jack and bend the fender off the wheel, we put on the spare and drove it home. But the radiator never worked quite right after that and after putting a new fender (diff color of course) I sold it for $100 to a man who lived near our farm. Who promptly sold it to someone else and I never saw it again.
This one is the same color as my Mom’s ’61 (Mom’s was a leftover ’61, bought in ’62), but Mom’s had the famous (infamous?) 215 aluminum V8. This one is in nice shape, but I wish it had the V8. A droptop wouldn’t hurt, either.
I just sold my1993 Jeep Wrangler on FBMP last month. It was sold the day after I listed at near my ask. I had lots of responses. I have sold and bought other items on FBMP. The best thing is no fees or commission. I just bought a snow blower five days ago. Easy peasy.
This V_6 is really a lousy engine. With odd firing ignition, basic -V-6 imbalance, no balance shafts, the engine sits there at idle and shakes like a dog. Then with the oil pump located so remote from the sump, the engine receives lubrication slowly. Buick finally made this engine a good one, but that came in the 1980’s
I have the exact same car as this but with two more doors and in a dark maroon. Agreed that you will not see another one at a car show because in the 26 years I’ve owned mine (I’m the second owner) I have yet to see another. The V6 is quiet but does vibrate – the engine mounts have to be in good shape. Parts are damn near impossible. I just had my engine rebuilt and it took a lot longer than if I had the V8 – which I am glad I don’t, quite honestly. Having the Fireball V6 makes for good conversations.
This also is a Skylark I believe, based off the taillights. Mine do not look like that and I have the base Special.
This was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for ‘62.
Were these fitted with a transaxle? They raced these cars in manual form and I’m sure there was mention of a transaxle. Many thanks in advance.
I believe you are thinking of the Pontiac Tempest, the only Y body car with the transaxle, other than the Corvair.
You are correct, Sir! The Buick Special/Skylark and Olds Cutlass/F-85 were conventional front engine, rear drive, only the Pontiac Tempest/LeMans had the rear-mounted transaxle with the “rope drive” drive shaft. Chevy didn’t get a Y-Body car to sell, since the Corvair filled that role for Chevy, and Chevy also had the Chevy II/Nova X-Body to fill that role. The 215 V8 used the same block and crank across the divisions, but Olds used different cylinder heads and a different camshaft from its Buick sister.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_Y_platform
@19sixty5 Many thanks indeed for your wise input. You are, ofcourse, completely correct. I dug out the race report for the Marlboro 12 Hours in 1961, which was what had given me the memory, and the race had contained both the brand new Buick V6 Specials and the Pontiac Tempests. The trans-axles in the Tempests were not doing at all well under the endurance conditions and the Team Manager, Smokey Yunick, took to getting the cars back into the pits after every 12 laps or so and then getting in the trunk and pouring water over them through a hole in the trunk floor! Thanks again for the correction.