1953 Buick Wildcat

Quick Specs

  • 188

  • 5.3-Liter V8

  • 1

The Wild ‘53 Buick with Push-Button Doors

Buick’s Wildcat was one of several fiberglass-bodied cars at the 1953 Motorama. The new material was easy to mold, making it perfect for trying out experimental designs. The Wildcat was Buick’s first performance car and had many unique design and technical features, such as push-button doors, a concave grille with “buffer bombs,” and “Roto-Static” front wheel hubs. These hubs remained stationary while the wheels and tires revolved around them. A scoop on the leading side aided brake cooling. Several of the Wildcat’s design elements, including the “buffer bombs” and the side sweep lines, would appear on Buicks for years to come.

Courtesy of Bortz Auto, Collection of Joseph Bortz Trust

This Vehicle featured in ‘GM’s Marvelous Motorama’ Exhibit


1953 Buick Wildcat Gallery

Vehicle Imagery may be used for personal, media editorial, or educational purposes. Please credit Petersen Automotive Museum, petersen.org, if used. Photos may not be used for commercial purposes.


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