A YouTube video for Greg

[Dr. Radio]

"1 of 18".

Can you justify this claim?

Enjoy the brief video I found...

https://youtu.be/vHU5bOLrF80?si=30W1ee4cIUHaUJwI

[electra225]

I saw that video, Doc. Thanks for sharing!

That is a gorgeous, almost loaded Wildcat four door "sport sedan" hardtop, model 4639. No power windows, which is rather strange. It has air, crash pad, tissue dispenser, buckets and console. It sure runs ratty. 1 of 18 four-speed four-door Wildcats is probably close. I looked it up, really didn't find any confirmation. If it is a "real" car, it's a rare bird.

First, the dual quads is totally wrong for '63. No telling whether it's a 425 or 401, really doesn't matter, both would be correct for a late car. The finned aluminum valve covers are also incorrect for '63. My Electra has them, they look really nice on a black car. The red interior looks incredible on that car. Sure needs wire wheel covers or later road wheels. 1963 Buick hubcaps weren't very pretty.

1963 was an interesting year for Buick. Lots of "modern" accessories and features appeared on the '63's. Following Cadillac by a "respectable" few years, and trying to keep up with the Oldsmobile Holiday hardtops which made Buick's topline hardtops look like a Checker cab. The Buick Motor Division pulled out all the stops trying to doll up the interiors of the Electra and Wildcat hardtops. The door panels on that Wildcat will fit a four door Electra. The trim is a bit different and the arm rests are different. The pleats on the seats run opposite on Wildcat and Electra. Buick never did produce the flashy interior like on Olds Holiday and the big Pontiacs. They WERE Buicks, after all, and had a certain air of dignity to uphold.

The 1995 Buick Club of America national meet was held in Lisle, IL. I saw more rare 1963 Buicks there than I ever saw in my life. An Invicta station wagon with factory air, 425, four-speed with dual exhaust. An Electra four door sedan from New Jersey with factory two-barrel carb, no PS, no PB, three-on-the tree transmission, moon hubcaps. The only option I saw was heater and defroster. None of this equipment was available on an Electra, it was special ordered by a man who usually bought LeSabres but liked the look of the big body. Built in Linden, NJ. There were three Wildcats with four-speed, one with 425. And my Electra that has factory buckets and floor shift console, also not offered on Electra.

I could write a book on the 1963 Buicks.

[William]

That is a great looking Wildcat and I think it even has a power antenna. Besides not having power windows it does not have power brakes. One would have to use both feet to stop the thing in an emergency.

Bill