posted at the Cohort by William Rubano
more Wildcats at CC:
Cohort Pic(k) of the Day: 1966 Buick Wildcat Convertible
– Posted on June 11, 2020
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Big, sporty, classy, substantial. What’s not to absolutely love?
Exactly! I miss the days when Buicks could be a little sassy.
Love the car. The parking job? Not so much.
If I had one, I’d park it like that too!
Plus, using four 15 minute parking spots lets him be there for an hour!
Parking like that can lead to someone resentfully keying the paint. I’d rather park way out and walk in than worry about door dings. I need the exercise anyway
Except I did that one time at Lowe’s in Rogers, more because I was in a back brace and driving my Mustang. Since it was uncomfortable to bend at the waist, I needed enough space to open the door all the way, to make it easier to maneuver into and out of the car.
And despite being at least five cars away from the nearest vehicle, some jackass comes along and purposely parks next to me as if to teach me a lesson. I’m not sure, but my door might have dinged his that day…
I believe this is a 1966 Wildcat.
Correct, the dash confirms it.
Also the tail lights.
I agree.
My childhood neighbor had one in the exact color, but that dashboard isn’t from a ’65. The 1965 had a low deep set of large round dials you had to look down and through the steering wheel in order to see.
Do I see snow banks in the parking lot?
Do I see a convertible with the top down?
Yes, snow banks and trees with no leaves yet!
It’s funny how warm 40 or 50 degrees feels after a long winter and the itch to get a classic back on the road after months of winter slumber.
Leave the side windows up, crank up the heater, wear a light jacket and a hat.
#IMO perfect “Drop Top” weather.
Speaking of windows, I believe that the power windows have been retrofitted.
Those switches are the square type, from about 1970-up. It should have the earlier rounded-corner type.
To my 65 year old eyes this Buick is much better looking than the same year Chevy or Oldsmobile variant.
Agree, all the Wildcats ’63-’70 had looks, status and performance.
Sort of a Chevy Impala SS that went to finishing school.
I also agree. The only thing that would make this better would a set of chrome Buick roadwheels.
Agree, William Hall!
Those chrome & black Buick road wheels improved the looks and appeal of any car they were attached to.
All Buick models and/or the other General Motors variants.
I love *almost* everything about this car. But can I be honest? I have always found the rear end of these to be just a little weak. Not unattractive, but it does not live up to the gorgeous lines of the front and the sides (and the inside).
But as noted above, it is far more attractive than the 66 Oldsmobile, and even gives the Pontiac a run for its money.
Great classic pics…I like these and find the rear aspect pleasing enough. Grille details maybe a bit over thought, but all the lines are a great example of peak GM.
Speaking of Pontiacs, to my eye, the profile and simple side sculpture looks more like what the Pontiac should have been, which doesn’t put me off the Buick at all.
As a diehard young Pontiac fan, the 65/66 Poncho looks too Buick-esque to me, what with the side sculpting and skirts. It didn’t meet my perception of what an agile and sporty Pontiac of the era should be (unlike the ’64)…other than the grille. One guys opinion.
Always loved something named after a cat. Such as Cougar, Wildcat, Hellcat, Tigercat, Bearcat, Tomcat, well you get the picture. Fits the picture filled by the Hellcat, a powerful bruiser.
Tomcats are a bit pricey and hard to maintain. Maybe a Mercury Lynx for economy or a Jaguar for luxury?
It’s Wildcat Day ! No complaints here.
One car, four parking spaces= one LOOONG key scratch!
Yes, he is tempting fate big time
I’ve always liked the Wildcat. It’s not named after a particular kind of cat like a Jaguar, a Cougar, a Lynx or a Tiger. It’s still a big old Buick with a big V8 but the name gives it a different vibe from a LeSabre or an Electra, and that’s what makes them cool.
Tore up many a mile in 66 wildcat when I was 16 yrs. old. The thing was a cruiser on the highway. How about the speed control buzzer?