Buick Wildcat Second Generation
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Production period: |
1965 to 1970 |
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Class: |
Motor Car |
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Body versions: |
2-door hardtop |
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Engines: |
Gasoline: 6.6-7.5 litres 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8 |
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Transmission: |
3-speed TH-400 automatic |
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Length: |
5479-5593 mm |
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Width: |
2030 mm |
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Height: |
1400-1450 mm |
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Wheelbase: |
3124-3200 mm |
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Curb weight: |
1729-1912 kg |
The Buick Wildcat Second Generation was a car manufactured from 1965 to the end of 1970 by Buick.
History
The Buick Wildcat took its name from a fiberglass-bodied 1953 concept car. From 1966 to 1969, there were again only the standard (with the details of the 1965 Wildcat Deluxe generation) and custom equipment. Buick’s medium-priced line, still equipped for superior shared the LeSabre's new 1965 body, but was distinguished by a diecast grille having a large centre emblem, Wildcat script on the quarter panels and rear deck lid. The wheel covers also used the Wildcat emblem. Inside, Wildcat emblems appeared on door panels Standard equipment, included a smoking set and rear seat ash trays. Interiors were cloth or vinyl. This was a Deluxe trim variation on the Wildcat Series 46200, with slightly plusher interior combinations available. Serial numbers began with 464005 and Custom with Deluxe steering wheel, padded-type arm rests, outside rear-view mirror and Custom headlining (Fixed Head). Plusher cloth and vinyl or all-vinyl trim was used, with notch back or Strato bucket front seats.
1965 WILDCAT Serial numbers began with 462005.
- Body Type
4-dr Sedan Price New $3117
4-dr H.T Price New $3278
2-dr sport Coupe Price New $3219
Convertible Price New $3431 - Production Total
4-dr Sedan 10,184
4-dr H.T 7,499
2-dr sport 6,031
Convertible plus deluxe version 4,616
WILDCAT DELUXE CUSTOM SERIES
DeLuxe Serial numbers began with 464005
Custom Serial numbers began with 466005
- Body Type
4-dr Sedan Price New $3218
4-dr H.T. Sedan Price New $3338
2-dr sport Coupe Price New $3272
Convertible Price New $3651 - Production Total
4-dr Sedan 9,765
4-dr H.T. Sedan 13,903
2-dr sport Coupe 11,617
For 1966 Simulated air intake grids appeared behind the front wheelhouses. Interiors were cloth and vinyl, or all-vinyl. The 6.6 l V8 remained until 1966 as standard equipment with Overhead valves Cast iron block. Displacement: 401 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.18x3.64 inches. Compression ratio: 10.25:1 Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters. Four-barrel carburettor. Brake horsepower: 325 at 4600 R.P.M. From 1964 to 1966, there were on request also the larger engine with 6965 cc, either with 340 hp (250 kW) when using the standard quadruple carburettor or with 360 hp (265 kW) with the use of two quad carburettors. Also, from 1964 there was a standard three-speed automatic steering wheel selector lever, which buyers had the choice between a manual four-speed gearbox (only 1963-1965) or just that three-speed automatic Super Turbine 400 had. Interestingly, the engines were not named after the displacement (in cu.in.), but after the torque (in ft. Lbs.). The Wildcat 445 was a 401 cu.in engine. (6.6 l), which has a torque of 445 ft. Lbs. spawned while the Wildcat (7.0 l) engine capacity and a torque of 465 ft. Lbs. The version of the 465 with two quad carburettors was called Super Wildcat.
1966 WILDCAT Serial numbers began with 46400.
- 1966 WILDCAT SERIES 46400
Body Type
4-dr Sedan Price New $3233
4-dr H.T. Sedan Price New $3391
2-dr H.T. Coupe Price New $3326
2-dr Convertible Price New $3480 - Total Production
4-dr Sedan 14,389
4-dr H.T. Sedan 15,081
2-dr H.T. Coupe 9,774
2-dr Convertible 2,690
WILDCAT CUSTOM SERIES 46600
- Body Type
4-dr H.T. Sedan Price New $4176
2-dr H.T. Coupe Price New $4018
2-dr Convertible Price New $4079 - Total Production
4-dr H.T. Sedan 13,060
2-dr H.T. Coupe 10,800
2-dr Convertible 2,790
PERFORMANCE: 401 cu in
- Engine capacity: 401 cu in, 6,571.19 cu cm
- Fuel consumption: 13.1 ml imp gal, 10.9 ml US gal, 21.5 1 x 100 km
- Max speed: 121 mph, 194.8 km/h
- max power (SAE): 325 hp at 4,400 rpm
- max torque (SAE): 445 1b ft,hp/l
- power-weight ratio: 13 lb/hp, 5.9 kg/hp
- max speeds: 47 mph, 75.7 km/h in 1st gear; 73 mph, 117.5 km/h in 2nd gear; 121 mph, 194.8 km/h in 3rd gear
Only in the model year 1966 could one be a Gran Sport Performance Group Order package (option A8 / Y48). There were two engines to choose from: a 7.0 l V8 with quad carburettor and 340 bhp (250 kW) was included in the package price, but the 360 hp (265 kW) engine with two quad carburettors was available at extra cost. Originally, the 20 bhp was only available as dealer upgraded vehicles (with engines with code MT), but soon the "Super Wildcats" were also available as factory-made models with the engine code MZ. Both versions (Standard and Super GS) had twin mufflers, reinforced wheel suspensions, Posi-Traction and new GS rear fender marks on all Gran Sports after 1965. A total of 1,244 Wildcat GS was built by Buick in this model year. Of these were 242 convertibles, the rest were hardtops. Only 22 pieces were Super Wildcats.
In 1967, there was a whole new engine for the Wildcat series. As with the Riviera and the Electra 225, a V8 with 7,046 cc displacement V-8: Overhead valve. Cast iron block. Displacement: 430 cubic inches. Bore and stroke:4.18 x 3.9 inches. Compression ratio: Brakes horsepower: 360 at 5000 R,P.M, Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters, Four-barrel carburettor with quad and 360 hp (265 kW) was introduced, which had larger valves than the outdated, first Buick V8 of 1953. large simulated vent intakes on fenders.
1967 WILDCAT SERIES
- Body Type
4-dr Sedan Price New $3277
4-dr H.T. Sedan Price New $3437
2-dr H.T. Coupe Price New $3382
2-dr Convertible Price New $3536 - Total Production
4-dr Sedan 14,579
4-dr H.T. Sedan 15,510
2-dr H.T. Coupe 10,585
2-dr Convertible 2,276
1967 WILDCAT CUSTOM SERIES
- Body Type
- 4-dr H.T. Sedan Price New $3652
2-dr H.T. Coupe Price New $3603
2-dr Convertible Price New $3757 - Total Production
4-dr H.T. Sedan 13,547
2-dr H.T. Coupe 11,571
2-dr Convertible 2,913
PERFORMANCE: 430 cu in
- Engine capacity: 430 cu in, 7,046.41 cu cm
- Fuel consumption: 13.6 m/imp gal, 11.3 m/US gal, 20.8 1 x 100 km
- Max speed: 120 mph, 193.2 km/h
- max power (SAE): 360 hp at 5,000 rpm
- max torque (SAE): 475 1b ft,65.5 kg m at 3,200 rpm
- max engine rpm: 5,000
- specific power: 51.1 hp/l
- power-weight ratio: 11.7 lb/hp, 5.3 kg/hp
- max speeds: 55 mph, 88.5 km/h in 1st gear; 83 mph, 133.6 km/h in 2nd gear; 120 mph, 193.2 km/h in 3rd gear
- speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 26.7 mph, 43 km/h.
For 1968 a new grille and revised body side mouldings helped give the Wildcat a new look. With Wildcat lettering was found on the rear fenders, on the deck lid and on the instrument panel. Simulated air vents continued on front fenders. Narrow lower body side highlights and wheelhouse mouldings were used to make a full-length lower strip. An outside rear view mirror and back-up lamps were additional standard equipment inherited from lower-priced Buicks. Interiors were cloth and vinyl, with all-vinyl optional. Bucket seats upholstered in vinyl were a two-door hardtop option. The custom Series featured brushed metallic door panel inserts were seen with cloth and vinyl trim combinations, as were paddle-type arm rests and Custom headlining.
1968 WILDCAT SERIES
- Body Type
4-dr Sedan Price New $4372
4-dr H.T. Sedan Price New $4477
2-dr H.T. Coupe Price New $4532
2-dr Convertible Price New $4829 - Total Production
4-dr Sedan 15,201
4-dr H.T. 10,708
2-dr H.T. 15,173
2-dr Convertible 3,572 - 1968 Custom Series Total Production
4-dr H.T. 11,276
2-dr H.T. Coupe 14,059
2-dr Convertible 3,572
The 7.05 l V8 was quite short-lived and was only offered until 1969. In 1970, it was replaced by the largest 7456 cc Buick V8, which was basically just a reamed version of the previous engine with longer cranks, which also had the larger valves and developed 370 bhp (272 kW). The torque was over 500 ft. Lbs.
1969 WILDCAT SERIES
- 4-dr Sedan Price New $4448
4-dr H.T. Sedan Price New $4553
2-dr H.T. Coupe Price New $4608 - Total Production
4-dr Sedan 13,126
4-dr H.T. 12,416
2-dr H.T. 13,805 - WILDCAT CUSTOM SERIES
4-dr H.T. Sedan Price New $4774
2-dr H.T. Coupe Price New $4823
2-dr Convertible Price New $4905 - Total Production
4-dr H.T. Sedan 12,136
2-dr H.T. Coupe 13,596
2-dr Convertible 2 374
The Wildcat, which was only available as a custom in the last year of production in 1970, was replaced by the Centurion in early 1971.
Concept vehicles
Buick has used the name "Wildcat" for five concept vehicles, three of them in the early 1950s, one in 1985 and one last 1997. Wildcat I (1953), Wildcat II (1954), and Wildcat III (1955) were Harley Earl designed, I and II still exist today.
The 1985 Wildcat was a radical mid-engine four-wheel drive sports car with a high-performance V6 engine with two overhead camshafts. The chassis was made of carbon fibre and vinyl ester fibre and the body had a folding roof for entry and exit of the occupants. This futuristic vehicle still belongs to Buick today and is still operational.
In 1997 Buick built a concept car called Riviera Wildcat. This car had inside carbon fibre panels instead of imitation wood, blackened chrome parts on the outside and the engine was changed.
