Now here’s a for-real barn find and a pretty substantial discovery at that, a first-year, 1962 Buick Wildcat. The story goes that the previous long term owner’s husband purchased this car for her in late 1962 and she only drove it on special occasions only. This Wildcat replaced her ’53 Ford four-door sedan which is pictorially included in the listing and will be for sale at some point. Anyway, the special occasions ceased in 1985 and this 12K mile Buick has been slumbering in Le Grand, Oregon ever since. It’s now someone else’s turn at ownership and this Wildcat is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,500.
The seller states that he can show this Buick to interested buyers on April 28th as well as get it running; he adds that he does his own work. While not clear, the seller is either selling this car for the original owner or, more than likely now owns it and is moving it on. As for getting it started, that may be a chore if this Buick has in fact been parked since 1985. The seller provides no details regarding this Wildcat’s powerplant but the standard engine would be a 325 HP, 401 CI V8, known as a “Wildcat 445” as a result of its torque rating. Unfortunately, there are no engine compartment images provided. Buicks of this era used what they referred to as a “Turbine Drive” automatic transmission or a Twin-Turbine Dynaflow. It’s an interesting experience to drive a car such equipped as the variable-pitch torque converter creates the effect normally facilitated by gearshifts; it’s a smooth experience, to say the least.
The body of this Wildcat leaves a lot to the imagination because its hard to get a good look at it in its entirety. What can be seen in the few images included looks basically sound but the barn that this Buick calls home is really a pole-barn with open sides. That being the case, this Wildcat has had some exposure to the elements but there are no visible issues with the exterior.
The finish appears to be Buick’s Burgundy Metallic, topped off with an Arctic White roof, and probably looked like this sales brochure image back in its day.
The white vinyl interior looks reasonably well, especially considering how long this Buick has been in dubious storage. The upholstery material on the front bucket seats is a bit dingy and may be cracking, or it may just be dirt and dust-covered, it’s hard to tell for sure. The driver’s seat has a split seam but the backseat, door cards and dash still look surprisingly fresh. The interior shows as presentable and may not take much effort to move it up a notch. A full-size GM car of this era with a bucket seat/center console combination is always a nice find. GM, regardless of marque, always went to considerable effort in terms of features and workmanship to make these combinations inviting and attractive. As for the floors, that’s an unknown. There are Buick rubber mats in place, over the carpet, but the steel floor integrity under that would be my concern especially considering this Wildcat’s three-plus decades of habitation. One other concern would be rodents and the wiring harness. I had squirrels take out the transmission harness in a Dodge Durango years ago and it was a real bugger to repair.
This big Buick has a lot going for it. Besides being a first-year introduction (it was a sub-model under the Invicta until it gained its own model identity in 1963), it’s a very desirable model in its own right. It appears to be all original, all there and has very low claimed mileage. It would take a rather thorough investigation to check this Wildcat out entirely, especially considering nothing is known about the powertrain, but it would be worth the effort or a find like this, don’t you think?
The story is a little odd. Who buys a brand new car and doesn’t drive it? OK, let me re-phrase that to stem the tide of responses of endless stories of people who bought new cars and didn’t drive them: I, PERSONALLY, would never buy a new car and never drive it. Would you buy a new mattress and never sleep on it for 60 years, then try to sell it? It’s weird.
Otherwise it looks like a neat car, and hopefully it isn’t rusted underneath. The interior sure looks good. If the underbody checks out, I’d say 5K would be a good price, if the 401 turns.
Whose to say mileage is accurate other than the guy thats set to profit from making the claim? The seller offers no proof and shouldn’t be believed unless there is some documentation to back it up.
As it sits, it’s a car 57 year old car that’s been sitting for 35 years. It doesn’t run, may need brakes and who knows what else. It’s also isn’t in his name. There are too many unknowns to justify anything close to the asking price.
Steve R
Almost all these ultra low mileage cars have zero documentation I find simply because they were not driven and any receipts are long gone as well as the owner. There are many ways to visually verify the miles as actual or rolled over.
I know of a 1961 Olds Starfire convertible. The owner bought it new. Drove it home and put it in a barn. Years later the barn was falling in. The car was removed only to sit out in the elements. I saw it again as recently as a year ago. Now the cloth top is gone however you could still see what was left of the window sticker still on the quarter glass. Car shows 26 miles.
Sometimes the stranger stories are TRUE. The car I am referencing is not for sale and this is NOT the only one. I know the family and their father had (new) old cars stashed all over the city. Because……well he could. True story.
That would be my dream car! So sad that anyone would let it rot away. They have gotten so expensive… Maybe someday, I will be able to buy one.
I agree. just bought a Yamaha 650 that had been in an old dirt floor garage for many, many years. Although I didn’t get the other one, the resident bought a new 74-ish Yamaha RD 350 (my first bike), rode it only 10 miles, and it sat there and rusted as well. That was sad as well. I love this car featured, just don’t agree on the value.
Unless there is extensive documentation to prove the low miles it’s far too easy to claim that when the odometer turns over at 99K. The ad certainly grabs one’s attention and since most of Oregon is relatively dry there is a good chance it doesn’t suffer from rot. I like it and I think the price is fair if a visual inspection doesn’t reveal any issues.
With miles that low it will be extremely easy to tell in person without documentation if it has rolled over or not.
Of course it has a trailer hitch.
I guess she was hauling a trailer on “special occasions”.
That is kind of odd, I appraised a 1971 four door Nova with a 307, that had 13,900 miles on it and a hitch . The lady, was never married, used to pull her single axle Shasta with it . The Shasta was in the backyard and trashed but the car was perfect.
To think that there aren’t any low mileage cars because you would drive a new car if you bought one is just thinking crazy! In my lifetime, I’ve had several elderly neighbors who each bought new cars, and kept them for years never leaving our small town. The highest mileage car out of those I think was like 30K miles. Had one lady two doors down that had a 66 Chevelle, 4 door, that had less than 20K miles on it when she kicked the bucket in early 1990. Too bad it wasn’t a 2 door car, it would’ve been something! But yeah, low mileage cars are out there. Check the brake/gas pedal, arm rests, things like that, this is what will tell you the mileage of a car!
I too see it all the time as an estate sale company appraiser. Almost all are four door cars, but most of the time people bought the car with the intent of driving it but unexpected things occur namely long term illness or the husband passes away and the wife never drove much. Many of my customers dont have heirs to pass things down to and the cars came sit for many years. It is really amazing how many extremely low mileage cars are sitting on garages in every small town.
Besides interior wear under the hood would provide lots of details. If the mileage is correct the car would most likely have all of it’s original belts, hoses and clamps. Date coded spark plug wires etc. I would love to get this car cleaned up and back on the road.
La Grande, Oregon. I used to live there, bone dry up past the blue mountains. A lovely town
Le Grande gets snow, oregon dont use salt on roads though. up north becareful, spokane washington does or did up till recently, my grandad’s 75 chevy k10 had a rusted out body in just a few years. winter road salt. in town at least
I checked the brake pedal and it’s clean and denotes power brakes to boot.
A friend of the family bought a brand new f250 extended cab 4×4 in 2001. He died just 3 years ago. Had 21k on it.
I bought a 1995 Corvette in 2009 with just over 10,000 miles on it. I drove it for 8 years and sold it with 56,000 miles on it. It had been garaged and used very sparingly before I bought it. It lived in a garage while I had it. Beautiful car, but it was starting to get old as they all do, whether they’re driven a lot or not.
Age has a way of creeping up on you and inactivity is not a good thing.
Anything that doesn’t leak now will after a few weeks of use (assuming there is a good engine under that hood). Did the lazy seller plan to wash the car, or couldn’t be bothered for a $6K payout? Remember when satin paint on cars was thing? Dirt is the new satin.
I LOVE Dynaflow Buicks and this looks like a good place to start with a “rejuvenation” project that will easily equal or top the asking price. I have rejuvenated a few low mileage/long sitting cars and H5mind is correct; anything that does not leak now will be doing so as the car is driven-IF it can even be driven. Count on wheel bearings and much more. If the seller can’t tell the difference between a dirt line and a vinyl crack, the validity of any other claim must be verified in person. Seriously, how difficult is it to clean the seat and know for sure? Too many almosts/looks likes/could be’s to suggest that this is not what it is purported to be. But, as Dennis Miller says, “That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong”
I bought a ’64 Ford Fairlane from the 90 year-old son of the original owner with 28,000 original and have the documentation to prove it. My ’72 Galaxie had 34,000 original miles on it when I purchased it in ’95 (up to only 5,000 25 years later). When you consider that millions of cars are built every year, low-mileage cars, while rare, are out there. Older folks, especially retirees, buy new cars and many don’t drive much. So sometimes low-mileage cars can be “discovered” many years later.
The seller isn’t doing himself any favors selling the car as-found. How hard is it to remove the car from the pole shed, wash it and vac/wipe down the interior? If this Wildcat was cleaned up and started and better pictures taken, the lazy seller would probably get his price, no problem.
My ’72 Galaxie only 52,000 25 years later; not 5,000.
I didn’t think pictures could get any worse than CL, but FB takes the cake. I think it’s entirely possible for the mileage claim. Most of these low mileage beauties are probably due to someone buying it and passing away. I’m sure it happens all the time. I have a friend , whose disabled brother, wanted a car, for no particular reason. He bought a Subaru, and never drove it, so it does happen. This car? Before the Riviera, this was top of the line, and a fantastic cruiser. It’s solid enough, you simply can’t go wrong restoring this.
Sexy! Now I know where the 67 impala taillights came from…..
When we’re talking vehicles this old I’m always assuming odo has rolled over. Even if it hasn’t you’re still looking into the same hurdles after a 35years slumber.
That doesn’t mean the story isn’t true. Though there may not be written service records on hand then search for lube stickers in the door jambs, check tires for production year. When I read the FB ad I understand it the old lady driving this Wildcat is still alive meaning any potential buyer could fish for valuable info about the car from its heydays
Its not complicated. If it sat for decades, always assume you are servicing everything on the vehicle. Duh.
Love this 62. Great color combo.
Found a 54 DeSoto 6 pass station wagon in Palm Springs. 13,300 miles.
Was driving around old part of town, looking to buy anything that seemed fun, residential area.
An elderly woman was working on her yard.
Saturday morning and garage was open.
Saw the car.
I was in an old car and she smiled.
That connection helped to get conversation going.
I asked about the DeSoto. She said her husband bought it new.
She never got her license to drive.
He died in late 55.
Had 4 flats.
She said, $3,500.
Bought it. Trailered home. Note, garaged Always. No hitch.
All seals, replaced everything. Master cyl, wheel cyls.
Interior, although perfect, dry rotted. Don’t sit in it.
Original tires held air. But bumpy driving.
Went no where with it. Trailered to shows.
No receipts, no current title. Dealer contract in glove box from Palm Springs DeSoto. Was not DMV file.
After about 15 years at my place, it went to Sweden. Still had 13,300 miles
You have no idea what a ’54 Firedome means to me.
My grandfather bought a new 1954 DeSoto Firedome in the rare Coronado model, which came in the rare “spring colors” only, the bottom was Cadiz Blue, the top was Sierra white (sort of an ivory. The Coronado had leather seats, with cloth turquoise insets with the gold and silver threads running through it. I went with him when he drove it home, brand new, V8 hemi, first year for the fully automatic 2-spd Powerflite transmission. He paid $3600 for it which was quite pricey in those days. I was 5 years old at the time. Power steering, power brakes. The Coronado had a different quadrant for the gear positions, it was under a hooded indicator atop the steering column, with glass over it, the reverse-neutral-drive-low indication was printed on the back of the glass, with a light behind it. The other DeSotos in that year had the chrome letters with a black background and no hooded indicator over them.I currently have a 1954 Firedome as well as a 1953 Firedome (both hemi V8’s) in my collection. Lance, Rockford, IL.
The hitch seems to contradict the seller’s claim that it was used for special occasions only. If you buy a car to pamper and use sparingly, why would you tow with it?
Buick’s answer to the Pontiac Grand Prix. Bucket seats and vinyl roof were standard. Seems like an odd move, since the Riviera was only a few months away.
When I bought a new Jeep Patriot in 2016 my wife insisted on having a trailer hitch installed. We don’t own a trailer and have no plans to buy one.
I have no idea why she wanted this, but…
In 1999 I bought a 1985 Buick Riviera convertible from the original owner with 17648 miles showing.
It also came with a file full of paperwork allowing me to verify the milage. Original window sticker, purchase contract, every receipt for service, every insurance certificate from new, etc. I finally replaced the OEM tires last year!
It now has 20852 miles and in my garage still covered up on the hoist. I do drive it but it has to be just the right kind of day. I am sure when I pass, (hopefully in more than 25 years, as I am 70) someone will buy it and not believe that the mileage is original when they read the ad. The paperwork will verify the mileage.
I did drive it about 175 miles last year and in my memory it seemed as if I drove it a lot last summer. A great and enjoyable ride for us and the grandchildren.
So the point is that these low milage cars are out there but not for sale very often.
I never knew they made a Riviera convertible in 1985. I found some images and it’s a good looking car. They made 49 Turbo T-Type Convertibles that year. Mecum sold one in 2018 for $22K.
I would buy this if I had the room. Give it what it needs, and enjoy.
I agree that very low mileage cars are out there, but it seems EVERY 5 digit odometer I run into when old car shopping is claimed to be extremely low miles and NEVER any documentation. And if you’re counting on oil change stickers, you can buy a dozen of them for a few bucks on ebay and stick all the documentation you want on the door jamb. Too damned many shysters out there!
So true, some of the barn find and estate cars we run into I have to dig deeper, such as tires codes, headlight stampings, air filter and oil filter stampings and letterings / fonts on belts, etc, which changed over the years, and then of course the standard wear marks and clues on certain interior things. Obviously the tear in the seat is out of place for low miles on this one, just looking at that few photos. If you know what to look for it is not difficult, but many things together need to be taken into account if something does not seem right from the start, but many times it is so obvious on some of these estate cars that the miles are in fact real without having to dig to deep. You kinda know it when you see it. Again, extremely low mileage cars don’t have many service records to begin with since there were not driven.
If you know cars you know where to look – like the brake pedal comment. When I found my Crown coupe in a wrecking yard – it hadn’t sat there for more that a week – I couldn’t believe how clean it looked – and that top. The documents were in the glove box of trips to the dealer etc and on the door jam with oil changes and after being parked since 1974 I was able to put another 50,000 on it with out neary a leak. It obviously had been parked in a garage with a concrete floor.
There’s a tow bar picture somewhere when I brought it home – had to borrow the money from big sister to go get it quick.
I have a friend with a 2004 Corvette convertible with under 4000 miles on it. Bought new, always garaged.
Drivers’ seat bottom is torn along the inner seam.. Those things just don’t happen on a car with 12k miles on it..
1959Buickman.
Could not have said it better if I tried.
To many tell tails.
There out there.
We are all cramped up with this virus thing.
Not everything is BS. JS
I am willing to bet that this odometer has rolled over. Seats don’t split in 12K miles. This is a scam.
They would split due to the age as soon as you would set on them. What is not hard to believe?
I guess I was going with all of my cars that are either 62 or older with no splits in the seats and original materials. This car is way too trashed to have 12K miles.
I always wondered why consoles of most 1960s american cars never had a high enough lid that could be used as an armrest, even though they looked very kewl.
If you are selling a barn find car why can’t a picture be provided of the car in the barn, then pull the car out, wash it, and take pictures of, maybe the engine, trunk, underside, etc.? Seems that some people think if the only picture Presented shows dirt, animal prints, flat tires, it increases the car’s prominence. If I was closer to this car I would definitely check it out and seek out the original owner.