Some engines enjoy extraordinary longevity, utilized by manufacturers for many years. When Buick introduced its 430ci V8 in 1967, few would have believed that it would be a memory by the end of 1969. That was the motor the company chose to power this 1967 Wildcat, a classic with a sense of presence that will turn heads. It has only minor shortcomings, but it is a turnkey proposition that the buyer can enjoy immediately. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Wildcat listed here on eBay in Leesburg, Virginia. Bidding sits below the reserve at $10,119, with a BIN option of $25,500 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
Buick released its Second Generation Wildcat range in 1965. The company positioned the latest model as a full-size high-performance offering, and sales figures remained healthy until production ended in 1970. This Wildcat is 1-of-68,095 examples produced in 1967, ordered by its first owner in Arctic White. The seller acknowledges minor rust in the driver’s side drip channel. Otherwise, they state that this classic is rock-solid. The paint is in good condition for a classic of this vintage, and there are no significant panel imperfections. The rear fender skirts accentuate the Wildcat’s overall length of over eighteen feet, while also helping it retain an elegant appearance. There are no visible trim or glass issues, and the spotless wheels are wrapped in narrow whitewalls.
Buick introduced its 430ci V8 in 1967, utilizing the motor in its Riviera, Electra, and Wildcat range. Its time in the sun was short and sweet, with production ending in 1969 as the company introduced the 455 as its replacement in 1970. The 430 was quite a powerhouse, with the company quoting power and torque figures of 360hp and 475 ft/lbs. Of course, with the Wildcat’s curb weight topping 4,300 lbs, it required something special under the hood to provide the level of performance buyers expected. The rest of this Buick’s mechanical components include a three-speed Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The seller has recently made a considerable investment beneath this Wildcat’s skin, replacing a long list of steering and suspension components. It is a similar story under the hood, with the engine receiving a double-row timing chain, and new oil, fuel, and water pumps. The results justified the expense, because this Buick is a turnkey proposition with no mechanical issues or shortcomings.
Scrutinizing the listing images suggests that this Wildcat’s interior is even better than its exterior. The Gold trim makes a stunning visual statement, with the seatcovers exhibiting no evidence of wear or abuse. The dash, carpet, and remaining upholstered surfaces are in good order, but the seller confirms that the pad sports a repaired crack. They state that the air conditioning blows ice-cold, and this Buick also features an AM/FM radio for in-car entertainment. A pair of Auto Meter gauges below the dash monitors engine temperature and oil pressure, and the only identified functional issue is the inoperative wipers, which require investigation.
This 1967 Buick Wildcat emerged during a golden age in American automotive history. The horsepower race was in full swing, with muscle cars at the peak of their popularity. Buyers exhibited confidence, allowing cars like this Wildcat to grace showroom floors. The lack of significant rust and the long list of recent mechanical work will enable the new owner to enjoy this classic immediately, addressing its minor shortcomings as time and circumstances allow. This Buick has attracted fourteen bids, and the listing statistics suggest that the total will continue to climb. Would you take your chances in an auction, or would you be tempted to hit the button, guaranteeing that you could drive this Buick home?
Not many US cars can be called stunning, but this is one that can. I don’t remember many all white cars, and I believe those are Buick “Rallye” wheels, although most I saw had full wheel covers. Someone is going to find out what all the hub-bub was about a mid ’60s Buick they sung about. The “Really rather have a Buick” jingle was still in full swing, except they jazzed it up quite a bit. I doubt Ms. November approved.
A great car that you just don’t see any more.
A few months ago we stripped one down at our shop. A 67 bucket seat car.
The premature demise of the 430 was a foregone conclusion. With the late ’60s horsepower wars raging, when the GM corporate edict came down from the fourteenth floor that for 1970 Cadillac could offer up to a 500 CI engine, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac were limited to 455 CI (since Oldsmobile was already there), and Chevrolet was limited to less than 455 CI (so the 427 became a 454), Buick and Pontiac had little choice, from a marketing perspective, but to make 455s out of their 430 and 428.
GM ‘60’s styling was certainly hitting on all cylinders. This car is stunning in white on gold. It takes a long garage for this car.
Funny story. As a kid who grew up with Buicks and friends fathers that had them my one friend tried to show me the speed buzzer at 30 mph. We were in a long neighborhood and he gunned it, it did not burn out, and most embarrassing it could not reach 30 in time for the buzzer!!!! It was a wildcat just like this one!!!! All I could do was laugh at that embassment of a car.
It must’ve been running on five cylinders. One thing Buick engines don’t lack – torque.
It was pretty new. Don’t remember a skip, he would not have tried it if he thought something was off. That car was a pic.
Another GM homerun. 1967 seems to have been a pinnacle of GM styling. The evolution of the fastback and longer wheelbase made these and the Pontiacs utter showstoppers. I say, take my money.
I would agree Nelson C, GM styling at it’s pinnacle. I do see some similarity to Pontiac styling near the sail panel.
I would buy this car right now if I could get it for $21k and would fly in and drive it home! These were the best looking Buicks ever built and since I’ve owned many 430 Electra’s in my youth I can say they were indestructible, even in a 4900lb Electra they’d run with the real muscle cars of the era from a 25mph roll. They were fuel hungry only getting about 6mpg on average but since I was in love with the sound of the Q-Jet growl and the feel of being pinned in the seat the mpg was much lower in mine than fleet average lol. BEAUTIFUL Buick, that’s really got me thinking seriously of spending some money!
Yeah, there’s nothing like the howl of those toilet bowl size secondaries.
this is round 2 on eBay for this cat. real cool looking but really needs the bucket seat option still a nice car and you won’t see another at a cars and coffee
But, you can have your baby next to you. Especially in the drive in!! ☺️ I drove a 68 and from a stand still mashed the go pedal and smell the smoke in the rear when those tires lite up. What fun we had!! 🐻🇺🇸
My dad bought a 1965 Buick Wildcat with a 425 cube 360 hp engine. It would turn the tires over hitting high gear around 80 mph. I burned up the right rear tire doing a burnout. They replaced the tire as it was deemed defective. I never did tell my dad what actually happened.
Somebody at the factory swapped out the good tires for THEIR Wildcat and put cheap ones on the car and nobody noticed. That’s why one was defective!
My older, late brother had ’65 Wildcat. First year for this body style. Medium metallic green, no skirts, bench seat. Never afraid to “open her up” and left many an impression on a 16 year old. Sixty years later I still miss that car and my brother too.
Gotta love an 18 foot 2 door.
The most gorgeous Wildcat, Buick ever made. The boss at my first real job had one. It was 8 years old at the time, nowhere near a classic, but he kept it looking brand new.
For me it was a teacher car, that was popular.
Gotta love an 18 foot 2-door🤣🤣the doors alone are 10 foot long 🤣🤣. That is one beautiful Buick
1967 was a great year for fastbacks across all the GM divisions except Cadillac, sadly. A Caddy with a fast-back could have/would have been gorgeous. I’m a Mopar guy but all the ’67 GM fastbacks do it for me. Buddy in HS had a ’67 Impala fastback, 283, 3speed/column, and he’d smoke my ’72 351W/C4 Galaxie everyday. And looked cool doing it. Looks great. Good luck.
Always loved the lines on the ’67-’68 full size Buicks, even the 4-doors. The skirts on this one add to the flow. The only thing that’s a head scratcher for me is the stupid thumbwheel climate control operation on the ’68s across the board.