1964 · Buick · United States
1964 Buick Wildcat
The best Wildcat year at 84,245, with a 425 in 340- or 360-hp form and an available four-speed.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
1964 was the best-selling Wildcat year at 84,245, per the Standard Catalog lineage, with a new four-door sedan joining the range and two 425-cid options, 340 hp with one four-barrel or 360 hp with two, above the standard 325-hp 401. A three-speed column-shift manual became standard, with a four-speed manual or Super Turbine 400 automatic optional. The body-style breakdown is itself disputed: OldRide's table gives 33,358 four-door hardtops and 22,893 sport coupes, which along with its sedan and convertible rows sum exactly to the 84,245 total, while TeamBuick gives 17,519 and 12,185 for those same two bodies, figures identical to its own 1963 rows and likely a carry-over rather than a fresh 1964 count. This record shows both without treating either as a factory record.1,2,3,4
Car Life's "Executive Hot Rod" test car combined the 360-hp 425, a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed, and a 3.91 axle, running 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds, the standing quarter in 16.0 seconds at 87 mph, 0-100 mph in 21.7 seconds, and a 115-mph top speed at 5,500 rpm, at a 4,750-lb test weight against a 4,420-lb curb weight for the car itself. Car Life's own list price for the two-door hardtop, $3,256, sits close to but not identical to OldRide's separately compiled $3,267 factory price for the same body; the two figures come from different bases, a magazine's printed list price against a secondary compilation's factory price, and neither is reconciled to the other. The test car, fully equipped, priced out at $5,700 as tested.2,3
The standard 401 is rated 325 hp at 4,400 rpm and 445 lb-ft, SAE gross. The optional single-four-barrel 425 is rated 340 hp and 465 lb-ft; the optional twin-four-barrel Super Wildcat 425, running two Carter AFBs at a 10.25:1 compression ratio with a 4.3125x3.64-inch bore and stroke, is rated 360 hp at 4,400 rpm and 465 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm. Beyond the standard three-speed column manual, the four-speed Borg-Warner T-10 and the Super Turbine 400 automatic were both optional.2,1
Factory prices ran $3,164 for the sedan, $3,327 for the four-door hardtop, $3,267 for the sport coupe, and $3,455 for the convertible; shipping weights ran a comparatively tight 4,021 to 4,076 lb across the same four bodies. The engine-code table shared with the LeSabre Estate Wagon and Electra 225 lists KT for the 325-hp 401, KV for a low-compression 401, KW for the 340-hp single-carburetor 425, and KX for the 360-hp twin-carburetor 425. A distinctive side trim mark behind the front wheel, rather than the VentiPorts used on the LeSabre and Electra, identified the Wildcat; one chrome-plated steel wheel option is separately priced at $91.38 by Car Life.3,4,2
Fifteen exterior colors were charted, from Regal Black and Arctic White through Diplomat Blue, with each two-letter combination running lower color then upper color. Interior trim spanned black, blue, fawn, green, maroon, red, saddle, silver, and white combinations in vinyl or cloth-and-vinyl, with several colors, including blue, fawn, maroon, and saddle, carrying two or three adjacent trim-code numbers depending on seat style and body. The VIN's second digit, K, marked the 1964 model year, and its third digit named one of eight assembly plants, including Fremont and Baltimore; the body number plate's own style codes (4639, 4647, 4667, 4669) mirror the body designations used throughout this record's production rows.4
Fact sheet · 1964 · United States
The numbers
1964 Buick Wildcat — The best Wildcat year at 84,245, with a 425 in 340- or 360-hp form and an available four-speed.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Wildcat production 84,245 (Standard Catalog lineage).1
- Car Life (April 1964), 360-hp 425, four-speed, 3.91: 0-60 7.7 s, quarter mile 16.0 s at 87 mph, top speed 115 mph.2
- The Standard Catalog lineage splits the 84,245 into 20,144 sedans, 33,358 four-door hardtops, 22,893 sport coupes and 7,850 convertibles; TeamBuick disagrees on the hardtop and sport-coupe rows.3,4
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcat, all bodies1 Wildcat · all bodies · not stated by source | 84,245 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcat 4-door sedan (4669)4,3 Wildcat · 4-door sedan · not stated by source | 20,144 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Wildcat 4-door hardtop (4639)3,4 Wildcat · 4-door hardtop · not stated by source OldRide 33,358; TeamBuick 17,519, which repeats its 1963 figure. OldRide's four rows total the 84,245 series figure; see conflicts. | Unknown | built, model-year | Disputed |
| Wildcat 2-door sport coupe (4647)3,4 Wildcat · 2-door hardtop sport coupe · not stated by source OldRide 22,893; TeamBuick 12,185, which repeats its 1963 figure; see conflicts. | Unknown | built, model-year | Disputed |
| Wildcat convertible (4667)4,3 Wildcat · 2-door convertible · not stated by source | 7,850 | built, model-year | Reported |
No body or engine split found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcat 2-door hardtop (Car Life list price)2 | $3,256 | list price as printed by Car Life, 1964-04 |
| Car Life test car as tested2 | $5,700 | price as tested, 1964-04 |
| Wildcat 4-door sedan (4669)3 | $3,164 | factory price as listed by secondary compilation (Standard Catalog lineage), basis not further stated, 1964 |
| Wildcat 4-door hardtop (4639)3 | $3,327 | factory price as listed by secondary compilation (Standard Catalog lineage), basis not further stated, 1964 |
| Wildcat 2-door sport coupe (4647)3 | $3,267 | factory price as listed by secondary compilation (Standard Catalog lineage), basis not further stated, 1964 |
| Wildcat convertible (4667)3 | $3,455 | factory price as listed by secondary compilation (Standard Catalog lineage), basis not further stated, 1964 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401 V-8 (Wildcat 445)2,1 401 cu in · 4-barrel | 325 hp @ 4,400, 445 lb-ft (SAE gross) | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 425 V-8 (Wildcat 465), one 4-barrel2,1 425 cu in · 4-barrel | 340 hp, 465 lb-ft (SAE gross) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 425 Super Wildcat V-8, two 4-barrels2 425 cu in · two Carter AFB 4-barrels | 360 hp @ 4,400, 465 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE gross) | optional | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed manual, column shift1 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 4-speed manual (Borg-Warner T-10)2,1 | optional on Wildcat | Not yet sourced |
| Super Turbine 400 3-speed automatic1 | optional | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chrome-plated steel wheels2 | $91.38 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Regal Black4 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Arctic White4 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Silver Cloud4 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Marlin Blue4 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Wedgewood Blue4 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Surf Green4 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Sunburst Yellow4 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Claret Mist4 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Coral Mist4 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Teal Mist4 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Desert Beige4 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Bronze Mist4 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Tawny Mist4 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Granada Red4 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Diplomat Blue4 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
688, 658 |
Wildcat: Black, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
448, 698 |
Wildcat: Black, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
401, 411 |
Wildcat: Blue, cloth and vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
421, 471 |
Wildcat: Blue, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
691, 441 |
Wildcat: Blue, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
403, 413 |
Wildcat: Fawn, cloth and vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
423, 473, 443 |
Wildcat: Fawn, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
400 |
Wildcat: Green, cloth and vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
417 |
Wildcat: Maroon, cloth and vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
427, 477 |
Wildcat: Maroon, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
687, 697 |
Wildcat: Red, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
447, 487 |
Wildcat: Red, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
689, 659 |
Wildcat: Saddle, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
699, 489 |
Wildcat: Saddle, vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
402 |
Wildcat: Silver, cloth and vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
694, 484 |
Wildcat: White, cloth and vinyl4 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase2 | 123 in | Wildcat |
| Overall length2 | 218.8 in | Wildcat |
| Curb weight (test car)2 | 4,420 lb | Car Life test car |
| Shipping weight, 4-door sedan (4669)3 | 4,021 lb | Wildcat 4669 |
| Shipping weight, 4-door hardtop (4639)3 | 4,058 lb | Wildcat 4639 |
| Shipping weight, sport coupe (4647)3 | 4,003 lb | Wildcat 4647 |
| Shipping weight, convertible (4667)3 | 4,076 lb | Wildcat 4667 |
Period road tests
| Test | Car tested | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Car Life, 1964-0420-60 mph | 2-door hardtop, 425/360 2x4, 4-speed, 3.91 axle, A/Ctest weight 4,750 lb | 7.7 s |
| Car Life, 1964-042Standing quarter mile | same | 16.0 s, 87 mph |
| Car Life, 1964-0420-100 mph | same | 21.7 s |
| Car Life, 1964-042Top speed | sameat 5500 rpm | 115 mph |
A road test result belongs to the one car that was tested, with its engine, gearing, tires, and conditions. It is not a figure for every car of the year.
Identification
- Side trim
- Distinctive trim marks behind the front wheel instead of the VentiPorts used on LeSabre and Electra.2,1
- VIN
- Plate on the left front door hinge pillar; also stamped on the engine block. First digit = series (6 = Wildcat); second = model year (K = 1964); third = assembly plant (1 Flint, 2 South Gate, 3 Fremont, 4 Kansas City KS, 5 Wilmington, 6 Atlanta, 7 Baltimore, 8 Kansas City MO); last six = production number from 001001.4
- Body number plate (cowl tag)
- Style number 64-46xx (Wildcat 4639 4-door hardtop, 4647 2-door hardtop, 4667 convertible, 4669 4-door sedan), body number with plant prefix, trim code and paint code.4
- Engine codes (LeSabre Estate Wagon, Wildcat, Electra 225)
- KT: 401, 325 hp, 10.25:1, 4-barrel; KV: 401, low compression (8.75:1); KW: 425, 340 hp, 10.25:1, 4-barrel; KX: 425, 360 hp, 10.25:1, two 4-barrels.4
Where the sources disagree
1964 Wildcat 4-door hardtop and sport coupe production
- 4639: 33,358; 4647: 22,893 (four rows total 84,245)3
- 4639: 17,519; 4647: 12,185 (identical to its 1963 rows)4
Both values shown; the OldRide figures are consistent with the 84,245 total in the Standard Catalog lineage, and TeamBuick's look like a carry-over from 1963, but neither is a factory record.
Identification
Read a 1964 Buick VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1964
- Buick Riviera The 425 became standard, the dual-quad Super Wildcat 360 arrived as an option, and the Super Turbine 400 replaced the twin-turbine automatic.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The first Chevelle; the Malibu SS was a series, and its strongest released engine was the midyear 300 hp L74 327.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova First V8 (283) year in the source engine table. Enthusiast-compiled production: 191,691 cars; Super Sport 10,576.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Super Sport becomes its own series: 185,325 built.
- Chrysler 300 letter series Cheaper by about $1,000, with a single-four-barrel 360 hp 413 standard, leather made optional and the convertible restored, the 300K became the best-selling letter car: 3,022 hardtops and 625 convertibles.
- Dodge Dart 330/440, Polara and Max Wedge The Max Wedge's last year brought the Ramcharger 426-III, a 365 hp street 426 for Polara buyers, and in midyear a competition-only 426 Hemi in lightened 330/440 bodies; Roger Lindamood's Dodge won Top Stock at the Nationals.
- Ford Fairlane The year of the Thunderbolt: a midsize Fairlane with a 427 installed for NHRA Super Stock, which carried Gas Ronda to the national Stock title.
- Ford Falcon Sprint The restyled Falcon kept the Sprint hardtop and convertible with the 164 hp 260 V8 standard; the club counts 18,108 built, many with a bench seat.
- Ford Galaxie Ford sold its 427 in the restyled full-size range in two advertised versions, 410 hp with one four-barrel and 425 hp with two, and the Galaxie 500 XL hardtop was the bucket-seat flagship.
- Ford Thunderbird The redesigned fourth-generation car offered one drivetrain, a 300-hp 390 with Cruise-O-Matic, and output rose to 92,465.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Cyclone name first appeared on a 1964 Comet hardtop; the only production figure found is a single secondary total.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 Marauder now meant the fastback roof on any full-size Mercury series, two-door or four-door, with the 390 standard and the 427 optional.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds Oldsmobile's first 4-4-2 was a mid-year option package, B09 Police Apprehender Pursuit, with a 310 hp 330, a four-speed and dual exhausts; 2,999 are tabulated.
- Oldsmobile Starfire Production fell to 16,163 as the cheaper Jetstar I took the same body; Motor Trend timed a convertible at 9.7 s to 60.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Plymouth's glassback Valiant-based fastback launched in a short first season and sold 23,443 cars.
- Plymouth Savoy, Fury and Max Wedge Plymouth's last Max Wedge year offered the Super Stock 426-III beside a 365 hp street 426 Commando, while a competition-only 426 Hemi went into lightened Savoy/Belvedere drag cars and swept the Daytona 500.
- Pontiac Catalina 2+2 and Super Duty The 2+2 arrived as a $291 Catalina option and the 370 hp 421 HO replaced the Super Duty at the top.
- Pontiac GTO A $295 option on the Tempest LeMans that put Pontiac's 389 in the intermediate body; 32,450 were built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix A carryover year: 63,810 built, with the 370 hp 421 HO at the top of the option list.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Tempest becomes a 115-inch intermediate with a 326 V8, and the LeMans carries the new GTO option.
- Studebaker Avanti The last Studebaker Avanti, cut short when South Bend stopped building cars on 20 December 1963. It got rectangular headlamp bezels and a level stance, and 809 were built, including the nine production R3s.
- Studebaker Hawk The final Hawk, with a new deck lid and an optional vinyl 'Sports Roof', ended when South Bend closed on 20 December 1963. 1,767 were built, 1,484 of them domestic.
- Studebaker Lark and Super Lark Brooks Stevens restyled the Lark-type line and the Daytona became its top series. Of the V8 Daytonas, 111 got the R1 and 48 the supercharged R2, and one got the only production R4, before South Bend closed in December 1963.