This 1962 Buick Wildcat two-door hardtop proves that desirable old cars in excellent condition are still available for reasonable dollars. This Buick isn’t flashy, mostly because of its muted exterior hues, but take a closer look, and its stellar condition will not disappoint. Tony P. found this tiger of a coupe soaking up some sun in St. Louis, Missouri, and it’s listed here on craigslist for $18,500.
Introduced in 1962, the Wildcat started as a high-performance Invicta edition before becoming a standalone model in ’63. Buick’s publicity material at the time proclaimed, “Buick has unleashed a Wildcat…the new full-size, sports-style car.” Initially available only as a two-door hardtop, the Wildcat’s Invicta basis was parked above the LeSabre and below the Electra 225. These are rare cars! Autoevolution.com claims that just 2,000 Wildcats were assembled in this inaugural year, and their identity runs much deeper than the badge. “Rust-free Nevada-born” is how the seller describes this Wildcat, and that’s about it – the listing is super light on details. While Fawn Mist Metallic is not an exciting color for a sporting ride like this Wildcat, the finish appears to be in excellent condition. It doesn’t say whether it’s the original paint, but either way, it shows beautifully. The contrasting white top works perfectly with the fawn-hued body and helps to lighten the presentation a bit. The Wildcat’s taillights are worth noting; Buick used Electra 225 units instead of the standard Invicta pieces.
A Wildcat meant bucket seats and a center console sporting a tachometer, and that’s what we have here. The vinyl upholstery and carpet are as clean as a whistle and show like new, with the minor exception of the top edge of the driver’s side door panel. Considering this car’s 90K miles of experience and its almost Medicare-eligible age, I have to believe the environment is a redo, but nothing is said on that front. The dash and instrument panel are what set Buick apart from other lesser GM marques – combined, they’re a work of restrained art. Not surprising, this is a non A/C equipped car.
The Wildcat’s standout feature was its standard-equipment 325 gross HP, 401 CI “Wildcat 445” V8 engine. Maybe not so impressive-sounding today, this was a big deal in ’62. The sole available transmission was the “Turbine Drive” automatic, and that’s what’s connected to the big nailhead V8. Other Wildcat mechanical components include finned aluminum brake drums and heavy-duty suspension to provide what Buick advertised as “Sports-Car Handling.” Unfortunately, the listing is silent regarding running and driving characteristics.
This is a rare Buick! It’s in magnificent condition, and presents itself in a tasteful, understated manner. When I compare this car to anything made by GM’s near-luxury division today, I have to shake my head. There really is no comparison to make. Buick has become nothing more than a modern afterthought of what it once was. But there was a time when potential auto buyers would do their comparison shopping and say, “Yes, I really would rather have a Buick.” Those days are gone and aren’t going to return, but if you are of that thought, here’s your chance to relive that time with this beautiful 1962 Wildcat. OK, that’s all I got.
For an extra 8 grand, I am choosing this over the busted-up Mustang with potential frame damage to boot. Park them side by side at a car show and you shall see why. Line em up at the light and you will then be convinced!
“For an extra 8 grand, I am choosing this over the busted-up Mustang with potential frame damage to boot.”
So am I–without a moment’s hesitation.
I always thought those taillights looked really cool.
Very nice rare well kept Buick here!!
I agree. This car would look so much better with narrow white wall tires. Other than A/C, I can’t find a thing that I would change. Here I go drooling in my breakfast again!
Beautiful car. Would not have ordered it in that color but it is so period correct and looks great on the car (in my humble opinion)
We had a 62 LeSabre 2 door hardtop, standard bench interior with the 401, except… the dealer, who was a friend of my Dad installed the Riv dual quad setup. It was one of the “demonstrator” cars for the dealership. To a 10 year old, it felt like the fastest car on the road. The Invicta/225 tail lights with the little visor were so cool compared to the LeSabre.
There is no comparison to this Wildcat to what Buick is making today. Buick like other US automakers is just a shadow of what it once was. This is one nice looking car and I would be proud to have this in my driveway.
That is a lot of cool for the money.
My uncle was a Buick guy and when the Wildcat came out he bought one. His daughter (my cousin) and I were both in high school and he allowed her to drive it one weekend. One of her friends told her to to get the tach up to 6000 so she just free revved the motor to 6K until it broke a lifter. She had no idea what the tach was except that it went up if she pushed on the gas. Her brother and I cruised it up and down 6th Ave. in Tacoma, Wa which was the “strip” in those days.
I am a muscle car guy obviously ,and this was one of the faster cars around in the day.My uncle ,and then Grandfather had one,in Black on red ,and it accelerated fast and could bury the speedo ,and feel stable doing it .
All the Buick critics need to grow up .The Enclave is probably the best value in it’s class ,rides better than a Yukon or Denali for half the money.The rest of their SUV lineup is very nice as well .Their reliability record is better than most imports ,and maintenance costs are a fraction.I mean, I wish GM would have dropped Buick instead of Pontiac ,but here we are.
I agree that GM should have kept Pontiac too!!
You’re saying Buick critics need to grow up but in the same breath you wished GM would’ve drop Buick instead of Pontiac. Oh okay?! But I’m a Buick guy because I currently own a GN and Pontiac was the first car I loved as a kid especially the 1963-66 Grand Prix.
Grow up?!
It is opinions opposed, which is no different than the one you have in support of the current brand.
And, considering Buick only possesses 1.3% of the 2026 domestic car market, a 12.7% decrease in volume from 2025, (goodcarbadcar.net) it seems the brand, as it currently exists, is not resonating with too many current potential buyers.
JO
that’s a wicked cat for 18k. looks clean as i pin too.
I love Wildcats! My grandfather had a 1964 Wildcat four-door hardtop in a dark Diplomat Blue colour with a lighter blue brocade cloth bench seat interior. So far, just another old man’s Buick. BUT under the hood was the 425 CID powertrain with two four-barrel carbs, dual exhausts and limited-slip rear axle. It was the ultimate sleeper and I surprised many “hot cars” at the stoplight drags.
Good fishing buddy of mine growing up has or had a 62 Wildcat like this. Same color, same interior as well. Old widow in the neighborhood willed it to him when she passed, as he had cut her grass after her husband died. It sat in her garage for years. I rode in it back in the day. Nice car.
My friend moved to Tennessee years ago and last I heard was, it was in a barn down there.
If that interior is a “redo”, then they must have found the correct materials to re-do it, because those are absolutely factory correct. I have a 90,000 mile 62 Wildcat, but unfortunately, it’s an Ohio car, left outside for years and years, and the rust has reduced it to nothing more than a parts car, which is why I bought it – parts. Bought it some 30 years ago from the 2nd family ownership. They told me they bought it from the original little old lady with about 10,000 on it in the mid-1960s for a 2nd car, then each one of their 5 children was given it to drive to college, until the youngest revolted and refused. Then it sat. And rusted. Nice story, though.
Sleeper Survivor? I had to laugh at a funny thought. Seeing gramps getting smoked at a stoplight with a Camry.
My how times have changed. It’s a nice Buick and in great shape No doubts.
GM should have killed the Buick during the recession in the late 50’s or early 60’s as Chrysler did with Desoto and Ford did with the Edsel. Rambler/AMC lost Hudson. Studebaker lost Packard.
GM needed to thin down and have capital. They were always too big to fail. The Corvair fiasco followed by the Vega, Oldsmobile V8 diesels. The 1970’s and 80’s was extremely hard on them.
One blunder after another then bankruptcy. Who would have thought when this mighty Buick was made? Who would have also thought the Chinese would have kept the Buick badge going when Pontiac was killed off? Truth is stranger than fiction.
Just think of the iconic vehicles, like the 1970 GS455 Stage 1 / GSX or the Grand National / GNX or lesser known models such as the 1969 GS400 with OTC dealer supplied Stage 2 package. I could not imagine our car world without these Buicks. Modern day Buick, well, that’s a different story…
Yes and the beautiful 1963-65 Buick Rivieras. Buick was hitting their stride when this Wildcat was new. Even the disastrous 1958 Buick production total were better off than today.
I bought one used from family friend in 1966 for $1,075…fantastic car !
I had an Electra 225, what a beautiful car, great ride. I was a 24 year old real estate agent in Michigan when I bought it used in 1967. The car had everything. Drove great, was reliable but after 6 winters in Michigan, well, they don’t call it the Rust Belt without reason. I traded it in, reluctantly on a new Plymouth Fury II which was a good car, but definitely not in the same class as that Buick Electra 225.
Nice write-up, Jim. Tony indeed found one tiger of a car. I hope that it finds a good home and remains (mostly) unmolested.
Guarantee it’s gone
Saw a picture of the same color combination and whitewalls made the whole ‘look’ pop.
Very cool and clean!!
Had the convertible version of this car in the Fall of ’72. Mine was a deep maroon with a white top and interior. I traded a low mileage POS Toranado to the Olds dealer in our town after I got
back from touring that summer. And all I could say was good riddance! The Olds was a very early model and a real money pit.
I think it was number 60 in the production run, but that means nothing when it breaks down and
leaves your Mom stranded. And the Buick? No problems whatsoever! I can’t tell you just how many trips it made down to
Champaign Illinois where I played
guitar on the Marvin Lee Show from ’72-’73. Either my Mom or my older sister would drive me down there every Saturday morning to tape that day’s show
that aired on WCIA channel 3 from 5-5:30 that afternoon. Got paid $100 a week and all you saw
of me was my left hand and the tuning keys on my guitar! But it was good money and I had fun doing it. And between taping that
TV show and the one nighters I played with some friends of mine
in school, I was one busy guy– too busy for even girls! And if I wasn’t playing 🎵🎶, I was hitting
the books to keep my grades up
so that I could keep touring that next summer. So yeah, I had no time for a girlfriend then but that’s another story for another time. And my drop top served me
well for at least 2 years before I sold it to a friend of my Mom’s that just had to have it. Dunno what became of it after that but it
had at least 125-150K miles on it
when I sold it in ’75. Do I miss it?
You bet I do! Do I want another one? By all means! Would I settle for this car? Why not! And yes, I’d really rather have a Buick like this one or an ’01 LeSabre Custom sedan. Sure, the last one is an old man’s car, but I’m an old
man so.live with it!
There was no 1962 Wildcat convertible. All 2dr hardtops. There was an Invicta convertible, which was sort of the same, since the Wildcat was based on the Invicta. 1963 saw a Wildcat convertible, but not 1962.
Always did and still do like the styling of the 62 Buick. Nice clean lines, great looking tail lights, classy interior. A friend of mine had one when it was about 10 years old, an Electra 225, with all the options except autronic eye. The A/C was INCREDIBLY quiet, although it would freeze you out in no time. Quiet, peppy, smooth riding car. How sad to see what cars have morphed into.
Thanks Dan. If there wasn’t a Wildcat convertible, there should’ve been. But my Invicta had an interior much like this car
does. Dunno if it was original to the car, but it was done right and looked great. First thing I did was
to have my Mom and sister make
me some clear vinyl covers to help keep the seats clean. Sure
wish I had it now.
It’s amazing what a set of white wall tires would do for this car. I’d have them on it before it made it its way home…