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The Buick Wildcat first appeared as a fiberglass concept car in 1953. This was quickly followed by the Wildcat II concept in 1954. The Wildcat name would go on to appear on many Buick concept cars for decades to come.
The Buick Wildcat in production form was a full-size automobile that debuted in 1962 and remained in production through the 1970 model year. Originally offered as a “sport luxury” option package on the Invicta hardtop coupe, the Wildcat name eventually displaced the Invicta from the Buick line-up in 1964.
The 1967 Wildcats debuted on September 29, 1966 and remained the mid-priced full-size car with sporty features. The body was shared with the mid-level LeSabre series of cars but the Wildcat got its own trim and details. The wheelbase of 126 inches was the same as LeSabre while the 430 cubic inch engine was from the larger Electra 225 in keeping with the sporty image.
The 3-speed manual transmission was standard but nearly all purchasers opted for the Super Turbine automatic. Buyers could choose from a long list of options including disk brakes, power steering, power windows, AM/FM radio and air conditioning. -
Company
General Motors
Make
Buick
Model
Wildcat, 46439
Body Style
Hardtop Sedan, 4-dr., 6-pass.
Body Manufacture
Fisher Body
Model year
1967
Wheelbase
126 inches
Length
220.5 inches
Engine
V8, OHV, 430 cid
Horsepower
360 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission
3-speed Super Turbine automatic
Original Base Price
$3,236
Brand Production
562,507 model year
This Car Production
15,510 -
This car was purchased new in Italy. It was an export car made for the European market with a speedometer in kilometers. The car still wears its original Rome license plate. Some time in the 1970s, the car was sold but eventually repurchased in June 1989.
In 2007, the Wildcat got a refresh with new exterior paint in the original Burgundy Mist color. The car also received a new black vinyl roof and red vinyl upholstery all done by the Italian upholsterer Massenzi in Rome.
During the restoration of the body and interior, the engine was dismantled and sent to the official General Motors dealer in Chur, Switzerland where the powerful 430 cubic inch V8 was given an overhaul. The car returned to roaring down Italian roads with its full 360 horsepower on tap. The Wildcat is very noticeable when driving on Italian roads and gets lots of attention, it is as exotic in Italy as a Ferrari in America.