1960 Buick Invicta

The name Invicta in Latin signified 'unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable,' and shortly after the introduction of Buick Invicta in 1959, it earned the nickname, 'the banker's hot rod,' due in no small part to the 401 cubic-inch 'Nailhead' V-8 engine delivering 325 horsepower. It served as a replacement for the Buick Century Series 60 and offered as a sedan, hardtop sedan, hardtop coupe, convertible coupe, and a station wagon. Within the Buick model lineup, it was positioned above the entry-level LeSabre and below the top-of-the-line Electra. Prices began at $3,360 for the sedan and rose to $3,840 for the station wagon.

The Buick Invicta was a performance automobile with comfort, styling, and standard equipment that included full wheel covers, an instrument panel cover, Deluxe steering wheel, Foamtex seat cushions, and an electric clock. It had a trip mileage indicator, a glove box light, dual horns, and electric wipers. The upholstery was done in Balfour cloth in four color combinations, the Estate Wagon was trimmed in Saran Balfour and Cordaveen, and the Convertibles was upholstered in all-Cordaveen.

The 401 cubic-inch engine, shared with the Electra, had five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter or Rochester four-barrel carburetor, a cast-iron block, and 10.5:1 compression. A Twin Turbine Dynaflow was standard and a Triple Turbine Dynaflow was optional.

Prices and body styles were similar in 1960, the only body style difference being the 8-passenger station wagon joining the lineup. Styling changes included three ventiports per front fender, Invicta lettering on the front fender plaques, and bright metal wheel-house moldings. Interior changes included a Saran cloth and Cordaveen upholstery on the station wagon, and cloth and Cordaveen on other body styles. An all-Cordaveen color-coordinated trim was optional, but standard in the convertible.

Buick produced 52,851 examples of the Invicta in 1959 and 45,411 the following year.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020