Hi Yverian, Well said. Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I had a 63 wildcat with the 445 in high school. Everyone called it the bat mobile. We could take 6 guys surfing. The back seat saw a lot of action. I loved that car.
Hi Beaches south of L.A., Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
@@jamie.777 Just so you know my wildcat was a 425ci big block but it had 445 hp. Some trivia for you. That Buick 425 and the 1970 camaro z28 were the only production vehicles, all the way up until very recent modern times, that had a higher hp rating than cubic inches of engine displacement. Also when the skunk works were developing the sr71 blackbird jet aircraft they used that Buick 425 engine as the jets starter motor as it was the strongest most powerful engine in the world in the 60's. The only problem is that they redlined and burn up so many of them, they scoured the the country to find them until there weren't anymore and they finally switched to another big Blick by Chevy that was being mass produced. It's one of the reasons the wildcat is such a rare vehicle. (anyone feel free to correct any of my facts as I am known for filling in the blanks where my memory is spotty just for the stories sake)
Mid 60's, Flint. Sitting on grandpa's lawn and watching just the line., all models roll by on their way to be shipped. All colors all styles. What a show.
Have always loved the 64 Buicks. I always remember our neighbor's 64 Buick wagon when I was a kid, made our 64 Malibu wagon seem like a peddle car. The nail head engine design has always intrigued me as well.
I had a 64 Buick Wildcat. It was an Arctic White coupe. It didn't have all the toys, it had dual remote mirrors,a driverside chrome plated spotlight. speed alert,and those awesome triple dipped chrome Buick mag style wheels. The engine was a 401-445 Wildcat nailhead with dual exhaust.The engine ran as smooth as silk with gobs of torque. It was easy to light up the tires. She rode great,handled great,and was very reliable. Those were enough reasons for me to really rather have a Buick. I ❤❤❤ ❤❤ Buicks!
Hi John, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
That 425 Wildcat 465 was standard in the 1964 Riviera with a Optional SUPER Wildcat in this Wildcat . The engine design was unique with that elevated intake Manifold and Cover plate for the Oil galley where the Lifter would be for easy replacement . That design pretty well dictated that the engine needed the old system of Cooling where you can see the solid pipes coming from the front of the Cylinder heads (01:15) to meet at the midpoint where the Thermostat is and THEN the radiator access Hose . What I like about the design is that the whole fuel intake system could be unbolted from the heads and Bench Tested on a replicate Motor to set the Oxygen/Fuel ratio and Idle speed , plus check the Dual Quad carbs for the Secondary Kick-in for acceleration . Then just bolt in back on with a minimal issue for Engine Coolant if any was routed through the manifold . The Lifters as well only need to have the Rocker covers removed to get the push rods out of the way to extract them if they have dirt build-up and stick the odd time which is easy to take apart and clean out. That space under the manifold will allow for the air flow from the Fan to pass under and cool it for better performance since there is no direct engine heat fro the heads and Coolant. That thermostat gets a better reading from the cylinder Heads and Block that should make the engine last longer . The engineers and designer during the 1960 must have honed their skills post-war when the 1950's shook off the carry-over designs from 1942 and it took to 1949 to re-tool when FORD and Cadillac made their big change. The overhead valve V8's also came in as the jet age gave cars the Fins and styling .
You are correct. Sadly, Buick reverted to the 401 cid "Wildcat 445" as the standard Riviera engine for the '65 model year. Fortunately, both 425 were available as options.
Sweet ride! I notice all the Buicks of the early to mid '60s era had the same style automatic shift lever on the center console. It kinda looks like the Seattle Space Needle. Very stylish and unique. I like it! Then again, what's there not to like on a Buick?
My parents bought a canary yellow 1964 Wildcat coupe with black interior, black vinyl top and 425 4 barrel. My mother loved to beat all the sports cars at stop lights until one day she ran a fuel injected Sting Ray. She said, "Look at that crazy guy" as he disappeared. We loved our Widcat!
My best friend mom had one one these and it would haul. We did a 1/4 mile at about 90 + we just couldn't get it stopped fast enough before the stop sign
Hi Charles WHIMS, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Best Friends Moms car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I found a 1963 wild cat in good condition, it has the 401 in it all the power I need. She is asking $6500 for it. I think i may get it. Great video by the way.
Hi Littlehorse Reynolds, Glad you like the video and looking forward to reading how the car works out for you. Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you enjoy, Lou
Hi Jeff, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I commented before about my 64 Wildcat. I didn't have the 425 nailhead.I had the 401-445 nailhead.The only mods I ever made was a K+N air filter and custom duals with cherry bombs and shorty pipes and let me tell you,it was a fire breather.I had to be careful not to dig trenches on 10:3710:3710:3710:37 asphalt! Now
currently restoring the same vehicle!!! but in baby blue and also located in Illinois. Chicago land area. my father has a 4 door as well. Love the video!
Hi Mark Thompson, You have great taste in cars :-) Thank you for sharing you "love" the videos, I really appreciate your kind words. As I come across the cars, I'll keep my eyes our for ride in a 65 Riv. For now, this is the only one I've videoed, enjoy, Lou ruclips.net/video/CiaD2VMcO4Y/видео.html
I have one; 64,000 original miles. Unfortunately, it is in the body shop now; got the left rear quarter hit while sitting in a median. Car is fixable, and is being painted all over. Love to have you come video it; has an interesting history. It was owned for 20 years by the country singer, Junior Brown.
I'm in IL & AZ. I'm headed East this Summer for a show in PA, and back to AZ. You never know, maybe I'll be in your area one day for a video :-) Let's hope. My best to you to get your ride back on the road.
Hey Lou. Beautiful looking 64 Buick Wildcat. My grandparents drove Buicks and Chevys throughout much of their married life. I know they had a Buick Wildcat, although I can't remember whether they had a 64 model year. :)
Hi Derreck, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Two options so few convertibles ever had back in the day: Air Conditioning and Power Windows. For some reason people thought they would never drive with the top up so who needs A/C. (I do) But what is the use of having a power top if you STILL have to get out of the car to roll all the windows down? I am not all that fond of convertibles anyway, but my 1964 Skylark Convertible (with a Wildcat 355, a 300 cid 4bbl engine) had A/C and I installed power windows in it from a salvage car, which was a 1965 Skylark hardtop. I LOVE the front bumper and grill on the entire 1964 Buick line. They look so solid and neat how they so seamlessly integrate.
Hi humbuckerpickups, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I’m going to answer the question to the old Buick commercial. Yeas I would rather have a Buick. I’m 64 and grew upon them and have always had one as my 2nd vehicle.
Hi David, Happy to read you enjoy your Buicks :-) Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Great car. My parents took delivery of their special order 1964 Wildcat 2 door coupe two months prior to my birth. My dad ordered the single 4 barrel version of this engine, which was rated at 340 (Gross) HP. His had the "super turbine 400" transmission, which was Buick's name for the then new TH400, in addition to a positraction rear and the heavy duty suspension package. A word about horsepower ratings: This owner claims his engine is "probably under-rated" at 360 HP. That's nonsensical. The old gross figures were to quote CAR AND DRIVER's the editor in chief Csaba Csere, "essentially meaningless. The as installed (SAE Net) state is all that matters, which is why they ratings system was mandated by the Federal Government in the 1972 model year. Today's engines are still rated under that system. In its "as installed" state, this "360 HP" Buick 425 produced something on the order of 260 HP when it rolled off the production line back in the day. Figure 205 HP or so on a modern inertia chassis dyno. And they, that's a very solid figure by 1964's standards!
I bought a new 1964 Buick 4 dr hardtop wildcat with auto trans, no power steering or AC. It broke a piston and when the mechanic tried to replace it, the replacement piston would turn end over end in the cyl when checking they found out it had a special engine made for law enforcement. I don't know what cu in it was but from idle on the pavement you could punch it and it would start spinning and continue as long as you could hold it in the road. Got better than 20mpg too. Sure wish I knew what the engine was. I kept the car until my son rear ended someone and wrecked it in1975, it messed up the front cap and I gave it to a friend. It was the only car that I never got to the top end, I did go beyond 130mph though.
Toone Boone I had a 63 2 door,and 4 door,both with 401's,and there was never a top end it seemed,LOL!!!,but I know I had them both well over 125-130 and was still pulling,just ran out of road!!!,so I know what you mean!!!!
"Special engine for law enforcement?" I highly doubt that. My father owned a then new '64 Wildcat and was a MA state trooper at the the time While they drove Fords back then, my dad was very familiar with Buick's offerings. One of his best friends during the period was the service manager at a local Buick dealership. I remember having related discussions on this topic when I was a kid. "Law Enforcement" used the same engines as civilian cars. If you disagree, please post actual information from Buick proving otherwise.
One of the LAST good things to come out of Flint. 50 years ago; wow. The workers who assembled it are gone, the $70,000 a year jobs are gone, the factory is gone, the city is crack-heaven. Flint. It's almost a swear word now.
HI T Edwards, The constant is change, so we move with the landscape and do the best we can with what we have. One of the goals on he Channel is to share the legacy of these amazing cars with the younger viewers :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
GM made a lot of mistakes and so did Ford and Chrysler. These mistakes hurt them badly and allowed foreign makes to get a solid foothold. Japan built quality products with great workmanship. Look at Buick now. Most Buicks are sold to China. It didn’t have to be this way but time marches on.
Oh my, my, my. A 465 dual quad. I think that is how they spelled Giddy Up in 1964. That old girl has almost as much torque as that pretty little blue number in the background :-). Those old Buicks are just beautiful automobiles. I went to school with a guy that same setup but in black. When he nailed it I ended up in the back seat. Rating this engine at 360 hp is one of the best jokes ever told. I'd guess the true hp number was pretty close to the torque number, but that's just my guess. Like you Lou I love to see people driving these old classics. I was watching Jay Leno once and he was talking about how people brag about how few miles their car has and Jay said "is your wife a virgin too?" Cracked me up. With the low-end torque and the weight of that car, a set of bias-ply tires could be smoked into dust in just a few burnouts LOL. What fun you two children were having :-). I think the 4 folks that gave this video a thumbs down should be banished!! What a beautifully preserved car. Thank you Lou for bringing this beautiful example to your loyal gearhead fans.
@@loucostabile I think the real verse was Giddy up Giddy Up Giddy Up my 409. I'll bet that short ride consumed a 1/2 tank of high octane but oh was it worth it. Loved that little burn out at the end. Thanks again Lou.
Bet yall didnt know about the hanger muffler on the super cat you crawl under neath and pull the muffler off the factory headers and man talk about screaming open header dragster increases the horse power double and torque and you have a place to hang it when you slipped it off tell him about it so he can hear the real wildcat roar i had a 66 wildcat as a kid nobody could beat me i out run chevells camaros 440 hemis and its got a launch you hit the brake and gas it wont spin but let off the break it launch and if caught traction positive the torque was massive i mean g force like no other and 120 mph was cruising for this car top out it bury the needle and just keep climbing i mean good 160 maybe lil more the carbs would shoot gass in the air and drop in the carb swallow and waaaaaaaaaahhhhhh you were gone tunnel ram intake factory headers over head cams factory 2 quads carter 1000cfm each with a high lift cam and hanger muffler forget it no factory engine could touch this one
they just don't make them like that anymore I always love Buick I always love those park Ave but After GM jack those cars up I went to Ford and look back but I like those Wildcat; Riviera;and duce & Quarter,
( continued) On asphalt. I really loved that car. I had alot of fun with the car and great memories. Cars like those should NEVER die!!!!
Hoping this car is around for a long time.
That car is so far beyond just beautiful I can't even begin to describe it.
Hi Yverian, Well said. Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I had a 63 wildcat with the 445 in high school. Everyone called it the bat mobile. We could take 6 guys surfing. The back seat saw a lot of action. I loved that car.
Hi Beaches south of L.A., Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I am possibly buying a 4 door 64 with the 425ci engine Tommorrow
@@jamie.777 Lucky. Please come back and give us the details. ie- How much? Condition, etc.
@@jamie.777 Just so you know my wildcat was a 425ci big block but it had 445 hp. Some trivia for you. That Buick 425 and the 1970 camaro z28 were the only production vehicles, all the way up until very recent modern times, that had a higher hp rating than cubic inches of engine displacement. Also when the skunk works were developing the sr71 blackbird jet aircraft they used that Buick 425 engine as the jets starter motor as it was the strongest most powerful engine in the world in the 60's. The only problem is that they redlined and burn up so many of them, they scoured the the country to find them until there weren't anymore and they finally switched to another big Blick by Chevy that was being mass produced. It's one of the reasons the wildcat is such a rare vehicle. (anyone feel free to correct any of my facts as I am known for filling in the blanks where my memory is spotty just for the stories sake)
Mid 60's, Flint. Sitting on grandpa's lawn and watching just the line., all models roll by on their way to be shipped. All colors all styles. What a show.
Hi Bob, Sounds like a magical time. Thanks for sharing the memory of your time in the mid 1960's on Grandpa's lawn. Lou
the'63 thru '67 Wildcat's had some of the best faces of the decade, with the '64 possibly the most beautiful.
Hi caljn 1, Happy to read you enjoy the design of this car :-) Here is a 63 I think you'll enjoy, Lou ruclips.net/video/-1W2iyjaeHM/видео.html
Have always loved the 64 Buicks. I always remember our neighbor's 64 Buick wagon when I was a kid, made our 64 Malibu wagon seem like a peddle car. The nail head engine design has always intrigued me as well.
HI Kramden, Sounds like a good memory of your neighbors car. I'm glad I was able to share this car with you, Lou
Love the rumble, and the little downshift pops were awesome
Happy to read you enjoy the sounds from this car :-)
I had a 64 Buick Wildcat. It was an Arctic White coupe. It didn't have all the toys, it had dual remote mirrors,a driverside chrome plated spotlight. speed alert,and those awesome triple dipped chrome Buick mag style wheels. The engine was a 401-445 Wildcat nailhead with dual exhaust.The engine ran as smooth as silk with gobs of torque. It was easy to light up the tires. She rode great,handled great,and was very reliable. Those were enough reasons for me to really rather have a Buick. I ❤❤❤ ❤❤ Buicks!
Hi John, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I had this car but with white leather interior in 1972. A beauty of a beast.I was so lucky at 16.
You have a wonderful memory of a great car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing TQ Tom, Lou
This is a fantastic car my friends mom's had one when I was a teenage.
Sounds like good times :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
That 425 Wildcat 465 was standard in the 1964 Riviera with a Optional SUPER Wildcat in this Wildcat . The engine design was unique with that elevated intake Manifold and Cover plate for the Oil galley where the Lifter would be for easy replacement .
That design pretty well dictated that the engine needed the old system of Cooling where you can see the solid pipes coming from the front of the Cylinder heads (01:15) to meet at the midpoint where the Thermostat is and THEN the radiator access Hose .
What I like about the design is that the whole fuel intake system could be unbolted from the heads and Bench Tested on a replicate Motor to set the Oxygen/Fuel ratio and Idle speed , plus check the Dual Quad carbs for the Secondary Kick-in for acceleration . Then just bolt in back on with a minimal issue for Engine Coolant if any was routed through the
manifold .
The Lifters as well only need to have the Rocker covers removed to get the push rods out of the way to extract them if they have dirt build-up and stick the odd time which is easy to take apart and clean out.
That space under the manifold will allow for the air flow from the Fan to pass under and cool it for better performance since there is no direct engine heat fro the heads and Coolant. That thermostat gets a better reading from the cylinder Heads and Block that should make the engine last longer .
The engineers and designer during the 1960 must have honed their skills post-war when the 1950's shook off the carry-over designs from 1942 and it took to 1949 to re-tool when FORD and Cadillac made their big change. The overhead valve V8's also came in
as the jet age gave cars the Fins and styling .
Hi Gary, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
You are correct. Sadly, Buick reverted to the 401 cid "Wildcat 445" as the standard Riviera engine for the '65 model year. Fortunately, both 425 were available as options.
Sweet ride! I notice all the Buicks of the early to mid '60s era had the same style automatic shift lever on the center console. It kinda looks like the Seattle Space Needle. Very stylish and unique. I like it! Then again, what's there not to like on a Buick?
Hi Truth Provider, Happy to read you enjoy this "Sweet ride!" :-) Thanks for sharing the details you enjoy. Lou
My parents bought a canary yellow 1964 Wildcat coupe with black interior, black vinyl top and 425 4 barrel. My mother loved to beat all the sports cars at stop lights until one day she ran a fuel injected Sting Ray. She said, "Look at that crazy guy" as he disappeared. We loved our Widcat!
Hi Tom Quinn, Happy to read this car / video brings back memories of your Parents car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Thats called haulin' ass in class ! good job Lou.
Hi Barry Snider, You're comment made me laugh out loud :-) Thank you for that, Lou
Well it's true !!
That's the best part is that it's true!
Awesome Buick!! Love it!!
Never gets old!
Happy to read you "Love it!!" :-)
My best friend mom had one one these and it would haul. We did a 1/4 mile at about 90 + we just couldn't get it stopped fast enough before the stop sign
Hi Charles WHIMS, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Best Friends Moms car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Beautiful RIDE
Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this RIDE :-)
I found a 1963 wild cat in good condition, it has the 401 in it all the power I need. She is asking $6500 for it. I think i may get it. Great video by the way.
Hi Littlehorse Reynolds, Glad you like the video and looking forward to reading how the car works out for you. Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you enjoy, Lou
did you buy it??
BUICK- “The Unsung Hero”
Nice :-)
That is a great exhaust note...as it is often called
Hi D Cents, Glad to read you enjoy the sound of this car :-) Lou
That was really cool! I loved the the mini fins on it too!
Hi Jeff, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I commented before about my 64 Wildcat. I didn't have the 425 nailhead.I had the 401-445 nailhead.The only mods I ever made was a K+N air filter and custom duals with cherry bombs and shorty pipes and let me tell you,it was a fire breather.I had to be careful not to dig trenches on
10:37 10:37 10:37 10:37 asphalt! Now
Hi John, Thanks for viewing and sharing.
My two favorite engines as it comes to the dual exhaust tone is the Buick 401/425 and the Ford Thunderbird 292/312.
Happy to read this is one of your favorites :-)
currently restoring the same vehicle!!! but in baby blue and also located in Illinois. Chicago land area. my father has a 4 door as well. Love the video!
Hi Juan Ortiz, How cool is that! Sounds like you have a great car. Glad you love the video :-) Lou
Love your videos, especially the Buicks! You need to do a ride a long in a 65 Riviera, my favorite of all time.
Hi Mark Thompson, You have great taste in cars :-) Thank you for sharing you "love" the videos, I really appreciate your kind words. As I come across the cars, I'll keep my eyes our for ride in a 65 Riv. For now, this is the only one I've videoed, enjoy, Lou ruclips.net/video/CiaD2VMcO4Y/видео.html
I have one; 64,000 original miles. Unfortunately, it is in the body shop now; got the left rear quarter hit while sitting in a median. Car is fixable, and is being painted all over. Love to have you come video it; has an interesting history. It was owned for 20 years by the country singer, Junior Brown.
Let's get that one all fixed up and back on the road soon :-) What state do you live in?
Lou Costabile I am in Northwest Alabama. Florence/Muscle Shoals.
I'm in IL & AZ. I'm headed East this Summer for a show in PA, and back to AZ. You never know, maybe I'll be in your area one day for a video :-) Let's hope. My best to you to get your ride back on the road.
No radio needed just listen to that engine!
:-)
Hey Lou. Beautiful looking 64 Buick Wildcat. My grandparents drove Buicks and Chevys throughout much of their married life. I know they had a Buick Wildcat, although I can't remember whether they had a 64 model year. :)
Hi Jason Carpp, Sounds like your Grandparents had some nice rides :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
You're welcome. I've never seen their Wildcat in person, but I've seen pics of their car from when I was an infant.
My dad had the wildcat,the 65 riv , and the 72 riv!
Hi Derreck, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
All models of 1964 Buicks had such a clean, tight grille bumper combo. They looked like they were forged out of one piece of steel.
Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts.
Two options so few convertibles ever had back in the day: Air Conditioning and Power Windows. For some reason people thought they would never drive with the top up so who needs A/C. (I do) But what is the use of having a power top if you STILL have to get out of the car to roll all the windows down? I am not all that fond of convertibles anyway, but my 1964 Skylark Convertible (with a Wildcat 355, a 300 cid 4bbl engine) had A/C and I installed power windows in it from a salvage car, which was a 1965 Skylark hardtop. I LOVE the front bumper and grill on the entire 1964 Buick line. They look so solid and neat how they so seamlessly integrate.
Hi humbuckerpickups, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile Buicks I hope!
GOOD NIGHT NURSE! I had to smoke a cigarette after watching this! :)
Hi Jeffrey, Yes, sound like you go it too. See the attached link....Lou ruclips.net/video/eEaV_Og8JNo/видео.html
I’m going to answer the question to the old Buick commercial. Yeas I would rather have a Buick. I’m 64 and grew upon them and have always had one as my 2nd vehicle.
Hi David, Happy to read you enjoy your Buicks :-) Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Great car. My parents took delivery of their special order 1964 Wildcat 2 door coupe two months prior to my birth. My dad ordered the single 4 barrel version of this engine, which was rated at 340 (Gross) HP. His had the "super turbine 400" transmission, which was Buick's name for the then new TH400, in addition to a positraction rear and the heavy duty suspension package.
A word about horsepower ratings: This owner claims his engine is "probably under-rated" at 360 HP. That's nonsensical. The old gross figures were to quote CAR AND DRIVER's the editor in chief Csaba Csere, "essentially meaningless. The as installed (SAE Net) state is all that matters, which is why they ratings system was mandated by the Federal Government in the 1972 model year. Today's engines are still rated under that system.
In its "as installed" state, this "360 HP" Buick 425 produced something on the order of 260 HP when it rolled off the production line back in the day. Figure 205 HP or so on a modern inertia chassis dyno.
And they, that's a very solid figure by 1964's standards!
Hi harddrivin1le, Glad you enjoy this car, and thanks for sharing memories of your parents car :-) Lou
A great car brings out the boy in the man.
You're right on that comment :-)
Love those 64 Wildcats. My grandfather still has his in my garage. I'm trying to buy it from him, but he won't let go lol!
Grandpa's got a great ride! Thanks for sharing and commenting, Lou
Lou Costabile love the channel.
Really appreciate those kind words. Lou
I bought a new 1964 Buick 4 dr hardtop wildcat with auto trans, no power steering or AC. It broke a piston and when the mechanic tried to replace it, the replacement piston would turn end over end in the cyl when checking they found out it had a special engine made for law enforcement. I don't know what cu in it was but from idle on the pavement you could punch it and it would start spinning and continue as long as you could hold it in the road. Got better than 20mpg too. Sure wish I knew what the engine was. I kept the car until my son rear ended someone and wrecked it in1975, it messed up the front cap and I gave it to a friend. It was the only car that I never got to the top end, I did go beyond 130mph though.
Hi Toone Boone, That is a good story :-) Thank you for sharing, Lou
Toone Boone I had a 63 2 door,and 4 door,both with 401's,and there was never a top end it seemed,LOL!!!,but I know I had them both well over 125-130 and was still pulling,just ran out of road!!!,so I know what you mean!!!!
"Special engine for law enforcement?" I highly doubt that. My father owned a then new '64 Wildcat and was a MA state trooper at the the time While they drove Fords back then, my dad was very familiar with Buick's offerings. One of his best friends during the period was the service manager at a local Buick dealership. I remember having related discussions on this topic when I was a kid. "Law Enforcement" used the same engines as civilian cars. If you disagree, please post actual information from Buick proving otherwise.
Oh, what a FANTASTIC car! Just beautiful! Right engine but no A/C or other expected options?
High praise for this car :-)
Just subscribed about a month ago and I'm Lovin your videos!
Thank you for being a Subscriber, and sharing an encouraging comment, I really appreciate that, Lou
One of the LAST good things to come out of Flint. 50 years ago; wow. The workers who assembled it are gone, the $70,000 a year jobs are gone, the factory is gone, the city is crack-heaven. Flint. It's almost a swear word now.
HI T Edwards, The constant is change, so we move with the landscape and do the best we can with what we have. One of the goals on he Channel is to share the legacy of these amazing cars with the younger viewers :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
GM made a lot of mistakes and so did Ford and Chrysler. These mistakes hurt them badly and allowed foreign makes
to get a solid foothold. Japan built quality products with great workmanship. Look at Buick now. Most Buicks are sold to China. It didn’t have to be this way but time marches on.
Oh my, my, my. A 465 dual quad. I think that is how they spelled Giddy Up in 1964. That old girl has almost as much torque as that pretty little blue number in the background :-).
Those old Buicks are just beautiful automobiles. I went to school with a guy that same setup but in black. When he nailed it I ended up in the back seat. Rating this engine at 360 hp is one of the best jokes ever told. I'd guess the true hp number was pretty close to the torque number, but that's just my guess. Like you Lou I love to see people driving these old classics. I was watching Jay Leno once and he was talking about how people brag about how few miles their car has and Jay said "is your wife a virgin too?" Cracked me up. With the low-end torque and the weight of that car, a set of bias-ply tires could be smoked into dust in just a few burnouts LOL. What fun you two children were having :-). I think the 4 folks that gave this video a thumbs down should be banished!!
What a beautifully preserved car. Thank you Lou for bringing this beautiful example to your loyal gearhead fans.
Hi Rich, "A 465 dual quad. I think that is how they spelled Giddy Up in 1964." NICE :-) My pleasure sharing with you, Lou
@@loucostabile I think the real verse was Giddy up Giddy Up Giddy Up my 409. I'll bet that short ride consumed a 1/2 tank of high octane but oh was it worth it. Loved that little burn out at the end. Thanks again Lou.
Needed more details on this ride
Hi Pat, Good news! Here are more details. Enjoy, Lou ruclips.net/video/flhQlUY-qyw/видео.html
Beautiful car, but that one should be able to turn high to mid 14s in the quarter... Don't be afraid to RUN IT once in a while!
Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts.
Not much into this car though it’s really nice I just like waking up with my car story and Lou
Good morning Curtis! Happy to read you start the day with a car video :-) Lou
So Buick put that engine in the Black Bird spy plane? Daayum!
Nice :-)
We liked you Lou. You cooli
Thank you Beaches south of L.A. :-)
I'm going to slap the next kid who says vtec with this video! Now there's an ENGINE!
Hi Josh B, Glad you enjoy this engine :-) Lou
Bet yall didnt know about the hanger muffler on the super cat you crawl under neath and pull the muffler off the factory headers and man talk about screaming open header dragster increases the horse power double and torque and you have a place to hang it when you slipped it off tell him about it so he can hear the real wildcat roar i had a 66 wildcat as a kid nobody could beat me i out run chevells camaros 440 hemis and its got a launch you hit the brake and gas it wont spin but let off the break it launch and if caught traction positive the torque was massive i mean g force like no other and 120 mph was cruising for this car top out it bury the needle and just keep climbing i mean good 160 maybe lil more the carbs would shoot gass in the air and drop in the carb swallow and waaaaaaaaaahhhhhh you were gone tunnel ram intake factory headers over head cams factory 2 quads carter 1000cfm each with a high lift cam and hanger muffler forget it no factory engine could touch this one
Hi Raptor, Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
We had 1967 wildcat gold with a black vinyl roof and Buick sport rims . That was a car., but it was stolen.
Happy to read you had a car like this :-) Sorry to read the end result :-(
Yes it was a 2dr coup. I was only a 10yrs kid JERSEY, I think it was a fast back to.
GM WAS KILL'N THEM BACK THEN!! DUAL CARBS? ARE YOU CRAZY? GM WAS GETN DOWN!!!!
Hi Won'tEverSettle, Thank you for viewing and sharing :-) Lou
Did Buicks have "star shifters"?
Hmmm, star shifters. Not aware of what that is.
Burn out i had one it roast the tires like a dragster
NICE !
I am possibly buying a 64 4 door wildcat with a 425 Tommorrow 😆🥰🥰.. this video has me excited. I friggin love it
Hi Jamie, Happy to read "I friggin love it" :-) Hope you're behind the wheel for the right car for you soon, Lou
And glass packs!
....that would change the sounds coming from this car.
they just don't make them like that anymore I always love Buick I always love those park Ave but After GM jack those cars up I went to Ford and look back but I like those Wildcat; Riviera;and duce & Quarter,
Hi Vincent Brown, Thank you for sharing :-) Lou
What a beautifully sculpted car, compared to the plastic jelly bean POS's of today....
:-)
This is when GM was doing the dam thing I don't what GM. Is putting out now
Hi Vincent Brown, Glad you enjoy this one from a classic time in history :-) Lou