Through most of the 1960s. Wildcat was the performance version of Buick’s full-size automobiles, sandwiched between the LeSabre and Electra. Unlike its temporary at Pontiac, the Grand Prix, the car was available in multiple body styles, including a 4-door sedan like the seller’s. This 1964 example of the Wildcat is said to be a one-owner auto that was parked in a barn from 1989 until recently. Now on a flatbed, with flat tires and plenty of dirt, this Buick is available for restoration here on craigslist. From Republic, Missouri, this project is offered at $2,500.
After serving for a year as a sub-series of the Invicta in 1962, the Wildcat became a series of its own the next model year. And would remain in production through 1970. Demand for the Buick was strong at first but declined later in the decade as emphasis shifted to the personal luxury Riviera. In 1964, the Wildcat was powered by either a 401 or 425 cubic-inch “Nailhead” V8 engine that was rated at 325 or 340 hp unless you opted for the “Dual Quad” carburetor set-up. We don’t know what lurks under the hood of the seller’s car as no photos of that area are provided.
Given the performance-motivated name of the car, it’s kind of odd that the Wildcat could be ordered as a 4-door hardtop or sedan, with the latter accounting for the greatest number at 20,000 plus units in 1964. Sedans came with a bench seat, but you could order bucket seats and a console although we’re guessing that not many were. The seller’s car looks as though it’s a flipper, acquired from the family of the grandmother who bought it new nearly 60 years ago.
From a barn in Missouri, this vehicle may be seeing daylight for the first time in ages. It is one of those “ran when parked” automobiles that were simply left to fend for itself. The interior looks no worse for the wear other than being dirty, but the body may have rust starting the brew in the rocker panels and elsewhere. No attempt has been made to see if the engine will turn, so the mechanical health of the Buick is unknown. Flushing the fuel system would be a good start, only with adding a new battery and tires that aren’t flat.
Looks like a factory A/C car, and no mice is a big plus. It’ll need a ton of work, but it is complete. It’ll be hard to find someone interested in a 4 door big car, but hey, you never know. At least he knows it’s not worth it’s weight in gold, so he’s not asking a fortune for it, just trying to see what he can get. I like a reasonable seller. Good luck to him.
I love Wildcats. Sadly, 4-dooes were not considered cool by Boomers of this era. So the nostalgia factor you need for buyers to spend big money on it once completed would be low. And this wouldn’t be cheap to restore. It’s most likely future is that of a parts car to help rebuild a 2-door.
I’m a Boomer and a quad cab doesn’t bother me at all. Mechanically it’s the same.
You are an exception. 2-door cars from 1950 through the 1970s sell for significantly more than their 4-door counterparts in virtually all cases. And that is due to perception of cool, which drives values. These cars are purchased on nostalgia, and no one wants to pay big money to relive the humble family sedan.
The 2005 TV show Supernatural gave the beleaguered American family sedan it’s due with that very cool 4-door black ’67 Impala. But back in the day, when Boomers were coming of age, sedans were considered dawdy family cars that you borrowed from mom and dad until you could afford something cooler of your own. That’s why you can get a ’67 Malibu sedan for under 10k, while a 2-door in the same condition will sell for 3x that.
You’re trying to give me a history lesson? LOL! My entire point of 4 doors not bothering me IS the price difference, and the fact that all the speed parts are interchangeable. You are not “paying big money” for the 4 door sedan, your entire argument is contradictory. And thank you for recognizing that I am indeed exceptional.
Yes, you’re definitely exceptional. And probably in more ways than one. Regardless, read my posts again. It doesn’t make any sense to restore this because you can get them for much cheaper than what this would cost to restore.
I truthfully have no idea what you’re trying to argue about. You must be used to being a troll on social media.
Big money? $2500 is big money?
Restoring it will be a labor of love, that’s for sure. Seeing as you’re upside down when you pull it off the trailer.
I love this car to me it being a four door is a plus. Now I know some won’t like my next comment but I am so tired of hearing so many say that when done a lot of cars aren’t worth the restore cost. When I got into the collector car hobby it was just that a hobby. We didn’t care about a cars worth when done we did it for the love of the cars. Guys like me eventually got priced out of the hobby by the open check book investors that are only in it to make money. So sad these cars were meant to be enjoyed not locked in a garage till the value goes up. GLWTS
Very good point. 9 out of 10, a restoration is just the degree to which you will lose money! But here, you can get a very nice ’63-66 Wildcat sedan, if you’re patient, for way less that this is going to cost to even get roadworthy, much less restored. So unless you had some kind of emotional tie to this particular vehicle, why would you bother? Just find one on Hemmings and enjoy immediately.
I’m very surprised you could get a Wildcat 4-door – a pillared sedan, no less. You mentioned the Grand Prix, but I don’t think Olds Starfires of this vintage came in 4-door variants, either.
A friend in my neighborhood as a kid got his uncle’s ’63 Wildcat when he turned 16. 4 door hardtop with power seat, nice looking car silver with a red interior. It had the 401 with a 3 on the tree and that car could haul ***. Never saw another one like it, few and far between.
How is a 401-powered 4-door a performance version?
A few years back on “Junkyard Gold” the host of the show found one of these in a boneyard. It had the factory two-fours setup on it.
I know they exist, but a Wildcat is not a performance version of anything.
My grandfather bought a 68 4dr Delmont 88 new. It had a 455-4bbl, automatic and A/C. Even though the body and interior were in good shape, it was not the prettiest, sexiest car for a 19 yo to be driving around in 3 yrs later. My girlfriend didn’t mind. Older folks would look at me thinking, “you’re taking Daddy’s car out for a drive”. Until I stepped on the accelerator! In a straight line, from a 5mph roll, I could easily keep up with a 69 2dr Impala SS427, some mild 396 Chevelles, most Fords and Chryslers. For some reason I couldn’t touch the hot small blocks (302’s, 351’s, 340’s and 327’s) but I was never embarrassed run with the big dogs. A fast 4dr is the ultimate sleeper. If my grandfather ever knew what I did with his car . . .
I’ve always loved the 1963-64 Buick Wildcat. I’ve never seen a Wildcat 4 door sedan. Assuming everything is solid and there are no rust holes anywhere, this would make an awesome resto project. If only more pics were posted. The more one could see of a car, the better. Under the bonnet, under the boot, in the cabin, etc.
Bankers hot rod, or something like that. I think that the point of the discussion is that the model was offered in any body style. Not unique. A lot of us had the big middle priced sedans. Lots of cubes, torque, road hugging weight and, doors. They burned gas, tires and oil just like the real thing. Always arrived in comfort.
I started driving in 68 and yes, I wanted a 2dr over a 4dr . . .
Then.
Now, a big classic with a big engine and reasonable parts resources would be a pretty nice project. Not an investment. I would buy it for the fun and the memories, not the ROI. If I got that cleaned up and presentable, I might drive across a couple of state lines to visit an old girlfriend to see if she wanted to go to the drive-in!
Not a Wildcat but a lowely Lesabre 1963 bench seat, radio delete,FACTORY four speed, dual quads and factory tach on th dash. found it 23 years ago in Oklahoma. Rebuilt the suspension and brakes and all original exhaust. Great driving car and it is fast and quick
nice!
I second that. Really nice. Love the lettering too.
I don’t know why Dick Banter would slag on this Wildcat. Sure, It’s not a ’69 Chevelle SS or whatever same-ass muscle car ad nauseum. This site can’t get enough of those cars. At least this is something DIFFERENT.
But it is a nice, powerful, comfortable GM car of the era. Why would I bother? Well, I could pay $2500, putz around in my shop with this car for a few months, and enjoy getting it back on the road. After I have it humming I’d only have probably 10K into the thing, probably less than that even. Could I sell the thing at that point for that same 10K? I wouldn’t care, I’d just enjoy driving it to the store. 4 doors? No probs.
IDK why either, 4 doors are much more “beer budget” for the same entertainment of a 2 door.
I like it and if its not locked it will make a fun car. I have a 61 Lesabre 4 door sedan that was given to me when I was 18. I went all over in it, Marti Gras, Niagara, Miami and never an issue. The car is still with me after 40 years. I also have a 64 225 4ht with the duel quad engine. Love 4 doors even long ago when they weren’t cool, but hey neither were wagons and I had those also.
Chris, those cars sound really awesome. Would love to see some photos.