Like a shooting star, the Buick Invicta blazed across the American motoring skies for a mere 4-years. The name was then consigned to the pages of history, never again to grace a car wearing the Buick badge. Barn Finder Ikey H spotted this 1962 Buick Invicta Convertible for us to look at, so thank you so much for that Ikey. The Invicta is located in Alton, Illinois, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The asking price for the classic convertible has been set at $6,500.
The Cardinal Red paint on the Invicta is showing its age, but the body itself looks to be quite good. There is rust beginning to appear under the body moldings, most notably on the passenger side of the car, and around the edge of the fuel filler. The rest of it looks quite good, with the rockers and lower fenders appearing to be clean. The exterior chrome and trim also appear to all be present, and while the majority of it is in good condition, there are a few pieces that may require a trip to the plater. The owner does say that the soft-top is in good condition, although he does admit that it will need a new rear window fitted. I’m not sure whether it has just become very cloudy, or whether it has broken up, as plastic windows can do.
If you’ve got a choice between two engines in a car, then why not choose the more powerful version? That’s what the original owner did in this case, so what is residing under the hood is the 325hp, 401ci, “Wildcat 455” V8. This is backed by the 2-speed Turbine Drive transmission, while the Invicta is also fitted with power steering and power brakes. The owner says that this is a car that the buyer can climb into and drive home, as it starts and runs really well. I will sound a note of caution though, as he does mention that the brakes are fair to sketchy. I don’t know about you, but I prefer my brakes to be slightly better than that. An emergency situation is no place to suddenly find the brakes going out to lunch. The Invicta also needs to have new front tires fitted, but these are supplied with the car.
Overall, the interior of the Buick looks quite good. There is a crack in the wheel, but this could be repaired, replaced, or the new owner could choose to just fit a wrap to the wheel. The rest of it looks complete and very respectable. There really doesn’t look like there’s a lot to do inside the car.
For me, it would be very tempting to buy this Invicta Convertible, drive it and enjoy the experience during the upcoming Summer months, and then undertake a light restoration during the Winter. There are no obvious reasons why this couldn’t be the case, and even in its current state, it is still an eye-catching car.
I didn’t realize the Invicta had only a four year run, I wonder why? In my experience the rear window of a convertible top isn’t replaceable unless it’s a zipper in. My Buick needed a whole new top just due to a broken window. I also had the same crack in my steering wheel. I’ll bet this gets up and goes in a hurry with that monster engine in it!
Wouldn’t you really rather have a Wildcat?
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/buick/wildcat/2235869.html
Wow thats nice. I love my Buick, thanks to BF.
What happened to the gas pedal?
awol
Had one just like it only mine was a darker red with a white interior. It was a beautiful runner/driver that rode very well. It took me back and forth from Bloomington to Champaign, Illinois many, many times before I sold it for $1500 in
the spring of ’75. My sister would drive me there twice a week to play guitar on The Marvin Lee Show, that aired on WCIA channel 3 out of Champaign, Illinois. The show was a local country music show that featured local acts on a weekly basis. Funny this that I played with the house band and all the public saw of me was my left hand and wrist! Man, would I love to have this car! It takes me back to a time when anything was possible. I’d just like to sit in it and relive all those great old memories. And yes, I’d really rather have a Buick–especially this one.
Had a Invicta like this in my late teens
It was light blue, with a blue conv top.
The 401 nail head engine, It ran like ………. fast. Smooth riding
YES I would rather have a Buick
Brings back high school days memories.
It looks like the heater core has been bypassed.
Yup. Bypassed. I wonder if the heater leaks or is stuck on full. If it’s a summer driver the owner may have decided to forgo unneeded heat.
One Cool Buick. Good cruiser as is.Adam is right, brakes are a nice thing to have especially if you want to stop, especially with a single master cyl! A good brake job would fix that and you could do that in a couple nights. Possibly convert to dual mastercyl. Looks to be in nice shape, good luck to the new owner!!!
Adam, they were handsome cars and went well especially with the engine option like this one has.This could be an interesting idea for someone with the room and time (I have neither) to do it right and have a really nice convertible. A good way to join in the Hobby’s enjoyments.
Paint jobs are expensive, but I’m not one for that patina look. Brakes are fairly easy to repair on these cars, but you want to make sure you bleed all the old fluid out. I would love to have one of these, but my 64 Riviera is all I can sustain at this time in my old life.
God bless America
Thats a 401 nail head.
Not a a Wildcat 455.
What are you smoking ?
It’s called a “Wildcat 445” (not 455) because it had a decal on the air cleaner denoting the amount of torque the engine produced. The 401 used as standard equipment in the ‘62 LeSabre utilized a two-barrel carburetor, and was known as the “Wildcat 410.”
I had a ‘62 Electra 225 with the 445 decal.
Memories, memories, memories! In 1970 my first car was a 1962 Lincoln Continental 4 door convertible. My second car was a 1961 Buick Invicta convertible, white with a red interior, black top.
In 1969 my mother rolled her 1967 Checker Marathon and replaced it with a 1962 Buick Invicta convertible, teal with teal interior and white top . Soon after, I came home with a 1962 Buick Electra 225 convertible, baby blue with baby blue interior and white top.
Those three Buick convertibles started a life long love affair with Buick as well as Cadillac, which started in 1956.
If I had the time and money, I would get this Invicta right now, but, seeing how I broke my leg two weeks ago, I wouldn’t even be able to drive it until the autumn.
Angel Diva- Welcome to Barnfinds!! Sorry to hear about your busted leg, speedy recovery . This is one sweet Buick, don’t worry others will come along!
Happy Motoring!
Cheers
GPC
I have one of these needing nothing and plan to sell it this summer. Mine will be around 19K. This price seems kind of high since it needs so much work.
Maybe it was 1965 or later that Buick had the first domestic glass convertible window then the other GM models picked it up. I know my mom had a yellow Wildcat with glass.
Does anybody know where to buy a torque converter, for a car with Twin Turbine 2 speed transmission, like this one?
My Buick drive and go fine in gear, but it vibrate very bad, as soon i give rpm. Also with transm. In p or n.
Have a reputable transmission guy check it out. Sounds like a worn valve body, which can be repaired/re-sleeved if needed.
Thank you, Gaspumpchas! It’s so frustrating with the nice weather coming up.
I’ve been around for awhile now and I guess I need to stop procrastinating and actually join.
I owned one these cars in the mid 60’s. Was stationed at Nellis AFB. Would spend hours cruising Fremont Street in then downtown Las Vegas. Loved that car. It spend more time with the top down. Traded it for a Sunbeam Tiger. Mistake that I carry on today.
I am looking for 1962 buick invicta convertable. i had a new on and it was
teal inside and out with white top. Does any know where I find one.
Wish I had known you two weeks ago. I just sold a really nice one. The exterior was near perfect, new top and original teal interior that was in very good condition. The guy paid me $14K. Which was too low. He is stripping it down and having it painted red with a red interior. Kind of sad to me, but I sold it and he is making it his own.
Is ’62 Buick Invicta Convertible Still for sale ??
Have one of these in New Zealand was imported brand new in 62 red white interia white top never been done up 87000 miles on the clock missing front invicta badges of front guards any one got any to sell