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1963 Buick Wildcat Series 4600

The Buick Wildcat became its own series in 1963, having previously been an Invicta subseries. Its high-performance Nailhead V8, known as the 'Wildcat 445' produced 325 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. The 1962 Wildcat had distinguished itself from the Invicta through the use of taillights similar to the Electra 225, a bucket seat interior, and a center console with a tachometer and transmission shifter. Additional distinguishable features included special exterior side trim, a unique emblem, and a vinyl-covered roof. All full-sized Buicks were equipped with a Dynaflow transmission.

Buick's model lineup for 1963 began with the Special (Series 4000) resting on a 112.1-inch wheelbase which it shared with the Special Deluxe (Series 4100) and the Skylark (Series 4300). The Special was nearly devoid of bodyside brightwork, had three bright metal ventiports on each front fender, and was offered as a two- and four-door sedan, convertible, and 6- and 8-passenger station wagon. Its 198 cubic-inch V6 engine had overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, and developed 135 horsepower. An optional 215 CID V8 had overhead valves, a cast aluminum block, five main bearings, and delivered 155 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The Special Deluxe was offered solely as a four-door sedan and 6-passenger wagon, equipped with the same 198 CID V6 or optional 215 CID V8 as the Special, plus a narrow, full-length bodyside trim molding. The Skylark was available as a hardtop coupe or convertible and was powered by the 215 CID V8 but with a higher compression ratio of 11.0:1 (compared to the base 8.8:1 compression) and developed 200 horsepower.

The 1963 Buick LeSabre (Series 4400) and the Wildcat (Series 4600) rested on a 123-inch wheelbase. The Electra 225 (Series 4800) had a 126-inch wheelbase and the Riviera (Series 4700) used a 117-inch wheelbase platform. The Riviera was a new luxury sports model for 1963, with the two-door sport coupe priced above most other 1963 Buicks, at $4,330. The Electra was the largest and most luxurious, and its base price was in similar territory as the Riviera.

Styling of the mid-sized LeSabre and Wildcat were similar, with the Wildcat receiving more standard features and a plusher interior. Comparatively, the LeSabre convertible was priced at $3,340 while the Wildcat convertible listed for $3,960. The LeSabre proved more popular, however, with 171,183 sales compared to 39,220 examples of the Wildcat.

The Wildcat four-door hardtop coupe with seating for six was priced at $3,870 and 17,519 examples were sold. 12,185 examples of the sport coupe were sold with a base price of $3850. The station wagon was priced at $3,970 and 3,495 examples were sold.

The Wildcat and LeSabre shared the 401 cubic-inch V8 engine. It had overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a Rochester two-barrel carburetor. When installed in the LeSabre, it developed 280 horsepower. The Wildcat version produced 325 horsepower at 4,400 RPM due to its higher compression ratio and either a four-barrel Rochester or Carter AFB carburetor. A three-speed manual transmission was standard and the Turbine drive was optional. A four-speed manual was also available as optional equipment.

The Wildcat came standard with an electric clock, trunk light, Deluxe steering wheel, tachometer (except on hardtop body styles with bench seats), bucket seats (optional on the four-door hardtop), padded instrument panel, and a center console. It also received license frames, a trunk light, foam-rubber headliner, full wheel covers, and Wildcat script on the rear fenders and within the rear cove. The name 'Wildcat' was featured along the hood. The bucket seats were all-vinyl.

Brightwork further set the Wildcat apart from its LeSabre sibling, with bright rocker moldings and wheelhouses, a brushed finish bright insert along the front fenders, and three ventiports on each fender. Convertible body styles had the Wildcat logo on the rear flanks, while the sports coupes had rear quarter emblems with the logo.

A pillared four-door sedan body style was added in 1964, along with two levels of trim that included 'standard' and 'custom.' The 401 cubic-inch Wildcat V8 with 325 horsepower remained the standard powerplant through 1966. A larger, 425 cubic-inch, Wildcat V8 was optional from 1964 to 1966, producing either 340 horsepower with a factory four-barrel carburetor or 360 horsepower with the two four-barrel carburetors.

The second generation of styling arrived in 1965 and remained in production through 1970. In 1966, Buick offered a one-year-only Wildcat 'Grand Sport Performance Group' package (A8/Y48) with either the 425 cubic-inch V8 with 340 horsepower or 360 horsepower with the dual-carburetor setup. The dual-carb setup was initially a dealer-installed carb-intake modification but later a factory-installed option with MZ-coded engines.


by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2013

Related Reading : Buick Wildcat History

The Buick Wildcat began life in 1962 as an option of the Buick Invicta. From 1963 through 1970 the Buick Wildcat was its own series. In 1962 the Wildcat featured bucket seats and a center console enclosing a tachometer and transmission shifter. Under the hood was a powerful 401 cubic-inch V8 Nailhead engine that produced 325 horsepower and 445 foot-pounds of torque. The exterior featured its own....
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Related Reading : Buick Wildcat History

Buick developed a prototype vehicle called the Wildcat in 1953. This model came with a 322 cubic inch V8 engine that was rated at 188 horsepower. For its time, this vehicle was considered to be revolutionary. The body was fiberglass, and the front wheel hubs remained stationary as the wheels spun. Considered to be Buicks first performance vehicle, the Buick Wildcat, officially named the Wildcat....
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Related Reading : Buick Wildcat History

With a name that was inspired by a trio of 1950s concept vehicles, the Buick Wildcat LeSabre was fitted with the Wildcat engine that Buick had been producing since the early 1960s. This engine came in several varieties, the most popular being the Wildcat 445, which was a 401 CID engine that put out 445 ft-lbs. of torque. More of a luxury sports coupe than a performance vehicle, the Buick Wildcat....
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1963 Buick Wildcat Series 4600 Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$100-$3,850
1963 Wildcat Series 4600
$4,230-$20,666
1963 Buick Wildcat Series 4600 Price Range: $3,850 - $4,230

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Other 1963 Buick Models

Wildcat

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
39,220
123.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.01 CID., 325.00hp
$3,850 - $4,230
63,615
119.00 in.
8 cyl., 401.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 425.00 CID., 340.00hp
$3,120 - $3,650
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 401.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 425.00 CID., 340.00hp
$3,230 - $3,700
67,453
123.20 in.
8 cyl., 430.00 CID., 360.00hp
$3,446 - $3,950

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