1962 Buick Invicta Series 4600

The 1962 Buick Invicta was positioned above the entry-level Special and Special Deluxe, the compact Skylark, and the LeSabre, but below the top-of-the-line Electra 225. The Special, Special Deluxe, and Skylark shared a wheelbase of 112.1-inches, the LeSabre and Invicta had a 123-inch platform, and the range-topping Electra 225 measured 126-inches.

The 1961 model year was the last year for the 364 cubic-inch 'Nailhead' V8, with the 1962 models employing a 198 CID OHV V6 rated at 135 horsepower, a 215 CID V8 with 155 hp with the two-barrel carburetor and 190 with a four-barrel carb, and a 401 CID V8 with 280 horsepower for the two-barrel carburetor and 325 with a four-barrel carburetor. The Special, Special Deluxe, and Skylark were equipped with a three-speed manual transmission (Turbine drive and four-speed optional), and the other models were equipped with Turbine drive as standard.

The 1962 Buick Invicta was offered as a two- and four-door hardtop (the two-door hardtop was known as the Wildcat, a new debut for the 1962 model year), a four-door station wagon with seating for either 6 or 9 passengers, and a convertible. The wagons were the most expensive, with the 6-passenger version having a factory base price of $3,840 and the 9-passenger version at $3,920. A total of 4,617 of the eight-passenger and 9,131 of the six-passenger version were built in 1962. The convertible accounted for 13,471 sales and had a base price of $3,620. A total of 12,355 of the two-door hardtop coupe and 16,443 of the four-door version were built.

The Invicta was powered by the same engine powering the LeSabre, the 401 CID V8, but used a four-barrel (instead of two) carburetor and produced 325 horsepower. It had hydraulic valve lifters, 10.25:1 compression, five main bearings, and a cast-iron block.

Standard features were the same found on the LeSabre, including a Deluxe steering wheel, Step-On parking brake, Turbine drive transmission, dual armrests, electric windshield wipers, a padded dashboard, heater and defroster, full-flow oil filter, direction signals, and glovebox light. Additional features not found on the LeSabre, but on the Invicta, included Deluxe wheel covers and the four-barrel induction system (known as the 'Power Pak'). The hardtops also added padded cushions and the Code 06 Accessory Group package that included license plate frames, an electric clock, and a trunk light. The nine-passenger station wagon had a power tailgate and the convertible was equipped with an outside rearview mirror.

The Wildcat two-door hardtop had a long console with a tachometer and a shift lever, standard bucket seats, and upgraded door panels. It wore special badging and exterior trim, a vinyl top, and taillights similar to the Electra 225.

The Invicta and LeSabre shared the same body shell, distinguished by a higher level of accouterments, a more potent engine, and a nicer interior. Visual differences included signature badges on the front fender and minor trim differences.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021