philr
Well-known member
'65 Wildcat from Canada
Does your friend still has it? Canadian-made 1965 Buicks have a different serial number with a tag that says "GM CANADA" and their serial numbers have 12 digits instead of 13 in the US models and the first digit is a "5" for the model year (1965) instead of a "4" on the US models for "Buick division".
As far as I know, 1965 Wildcat hardtop coupes or convertibles made here came with standard bucket seats that year (unless they were special-ordered maybe?). All had Custom all vinyl trim, console shifters and tachmeters. That changed that in 1966 as an all vinyl notchback seat (like in the US Wildcat Custom models) became standard.
I think the reason for that change is because the Riviera was imported from the US and taxed before the auto pact so they moved the Wildcat upmarket with standard Custom bucket seats in 1964-1965 but not anymore in 1966 as Rivieras no longer had standard bucket seats. I think it's also the reason why they offered Electra 225 Custom trim as extra cost in the 4 door hardtop Wildcats made here (the Electra 225 was also imported from the US). The Canadian 4 door sedans had standard Electra 225 trim and unlike the US models, it was available only with Custom trim (in the US, the post sedan was available only in the cheaper basic and DeLuxe trim levels).
Another thing specific to Canadian 1965-66 Wildcats is when they were ordered with power windows, they got power vents too. Power vents were available as a separate option on the US models and they were rarely ordered.
Here is the interior of my 1965.
I have a document that explains the trim options on the Canadian 1965 Wildcats and one section says that "2 and 4 door hardtops" came with bench seats while Sport Coupes and Convertibles came with bucket seats. I thought this was an error as all two door hardtops were called "Sport Coupes" and I have never seen a Canadian-built 2 door Wildcat with a bench seat but maybe they exist after all!
I'd be very interested to have more information about your friend's car!
Does your friend still has it? Canadian-made 1965 Buicks have a different serial number with a tag that says "GM CANADA" and their serial numbers have 12 digits instead of 13 in the US models and the first digit is a "5" for the model year (1965) instead of a "4" on the US models for "Buick division".
As far as I know, 1965 Wildcat hardtop coupes or convertibles made here came with standard bucket seats that year (unless they were special-ordered maybe?). All had Custom all vinyl trim, console shifters and tachmeters. That changed that in 1966 as an all vinyl notchback seat (like in the US Wildcat Custom models) became standard.
I think the reason for that change is because the Riviera was imported from the US and taxed before the auto pact so they moved the Wildcat upmarket with standard Custom bucket seats in 1964-1965 but not anymore in 1966 as Rivieras no longer had standard bucket seats. I think it's also the reason why they offered Electra 225 Custom trim as extra cost in the 4 door hardtop Wildcats made here (the Electra 225 was also imported from the US). The Canadian 4 door sedans had standard Electra 225 trim and unlike the US models, it was available only with Custom trim (in the US, the post sedan was available only in the cheaper basic and DeLuxe trim levels).
Another thing specific to Canadian 1965-66 Wildcats is when they were ordered with power windows, they got power vents too. Power vents were available as a separate option on the US models and they were rarely ordered.
Here is the interior of my 1965.
I have a document that explains the trim options on the Canadian 1965 Wildcats and one section says that "2 and 4 door hardtops" came with bench seats while Sport Coupes and Convertibles came with bucket seats. I thought this was an error as all two door hardtops were called "Sport Coupes" and I have never seen a Canadian-built 2 door Wildcat with a bench seat but maybe they exist after all!
I'd be very interested to have more information about your friend's car!
