1965 Buick Wildcat

The 1965 Buick Wildcat was the intermediate model, priced above the Special, Skylark, Sport Wagon, and LeSabre but below the Electra 225 and Riviera. Its wheelbase measured 126-inches which it shared with the Electra 225, and its new body design was shared with the LeSabre. It was wider with softer bodylines, and a 1963 Buick Riviera-inspired beltline that arched up over the rear wheels. The die-cast grille had a large center emblem, and Wildcat script was on the rear quarter panels and deck. The simulated front fender vents behind the wheels added a flair of youthful and sporty persona.

The Wildcat nameplate was rather new to the Buick line in 1965, having begun its existence in 1962 as a Buick Invicta subseries, pairing the full-size two-door hardtop body style with a high-performance 325 horsepower 401 CID Nailhead V8. It was known as the 'Wildcat 445' for its 445 lb-ft of torque. In 1963, it became its own series with styling that would continue into 1964 before a redesign appeared in 1965. The 401 CID Wildcat V8 would remain the standard engine through 1966, and from 1964 to 1966, the Wildcat could be optioned with the 425 CID, Wildcat V8 with 340 horsepower when equipped with a factory four-barrel carburetor or 360 horsepower with the two four-barrel carburetors (dual quads). A three-speed manual transmission with column shift was standard on all Wildcats, and a four-speed manual (from 1963 to 1965) or three-speed automatic Super Turbine 400 transmission were optional.

The sedan was priced at $3,115, the two-door sport coupe at $3,220, the four-door hardtop sedan at $3,280, and the convertible at $3,430. The most popular body style was the sedan with 10,184 examples built, followed by 7,499 of the hardtop sedan, 6,031 of the sport coupe, and 4,616 of the convertible. The convertible total represents all Wildcat Convertibles including the 'base', 'Deluxe' and 'Custom' trim levels.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2022