Image of 1964 Buick Special, Note: These illustrations use artistic license and may differ from actual historical models.

Engine Specifications
Engine Options:	225 cu in (3.7 L) V6, 300 cu in (4.9 L) V8, 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8
Displacement Range:	225-401 cu in
Horsepower Range:	155-325 hp
Torque:	210-445 lb-ft
Compression Ratio:	9.0:1 - 10.25:1
Ignition System:	Conventional
Cooling System:	Liquid-cooled
Performance Specifications
0-60 Time:	8-10 seconds
1/4 Mile Time:	16-18 seconds
Top Speed:	115-130 mph
Transmission and Drive
Drive Type:	Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type:	2-speed automatic, 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual
Fuel and Efficiency
Fuel System Type:	Carburetor
MPG:	10-15 mpg
Dimensions and Brakes
Brakes:	Drum brakes
Wheelbase:	115 inches
Weight:	3,200-3,600 lbs

1964 Buick Special: The Compact Buick Comes of Age

The 1964 Buick Special brought Buick refinement into a newly sized, more versatile package, pairing clean American styling with an unusual-for-the-time V6 engine. Built by the Buick Motor Division of General Motors, it was part of the new intermediate A-body family, sharing its basic architecture with the Chevrolet Chevelle, Oldsmobile F-85 and Pontiac Tempest.

The Special’s importance goes beyond being a smaller Buick. For 1964, it moved onto GM’s new A-body platform, giving it a roomier stance and broader range of body styles than the earlier compact Specials. Buyers could choose economical six-cylinder power or step up to Buick’s new 300-cubic-inch V8. One intriguing detail: the Special’s V6 belonged to a Buick engine family that would go on to have a long second life in Jeeps and other vehicles.

1964 Buick Special Styling

The Special wore its Buick identity without the elaborate bulk of the brand’s larger cars. At the front, four headlamps framed a broad horizontal grille, while a modest hood and sculpted front fenders gave the car a purposeful, balanced look. The sides were relatively clean, with restrained brightwork and a strong beltline. At the rear, squared-off proportions and simple taillamp treatment kept the design crisp rather than ostentatious.

Depending on body and trim, buyers could get a practical two-door or four-door sedan, a station wagon, or a sportier Skylark version. Skylark models added more upscale trim and included appealing body styles such as a hardtop and convertible. The hardtop coupe is a particularly recognizable choice today, combining an open-looking roofline with the structure and convenience of a fixed roof. The convertible is the obvious standout for open-air cruising.

Buick offered a broad range of factory paint colors, including subdued whites and metallics alongside brighter reds, blues and greens. Exact names and availability varied by body and production details. Today, red, turquoise or blue, white, and black cars tend to catch attention at shows, but original color and trim combinations are often more important to a careful restoration than choosing a fashionable repaint.

Cabin Comfort and Equipment

The interior was designed for comfortable everyday travel rather than a stripped-down economy-car feel. Depending on trim, the cabin featured cloth-and-vinyl or vinyl upholstery, durable carpeting, a full-width front bench seat, and a straightforward instrument panel with clear, easy-to-read gauges. Higher-trim Skylarks could bring bucket seats and additional bright trim, giving the interior a more personal, sporty character.

For 1964, the Special could be equipped with conveniences such as power steering, power brakes, an automatic transmission, radio, and air conditioning, depending on configuration. These were not universal features, so a prospective buyer should verify what a particular car actually has. The driving environment remains pleasantly simple by modern standards: large controls, generous glass, and no complicated electronic systems to distract from the road.

V6 Innovation and A-Body Significance

One of the Special’s most distinctive engineering features was its Buick V6. The standard engine was generally a 198-cubic-inch V6, with a larger 225-cubic-inch V6 available in some configurations. These engines used an odd-fire crankshaft layout, which gave them a distinctive exhaust rhythm and set them apart from the smoother six-cylinder designs many shoppers expected.

Buick’s V6 was an important early example of a modern American production V6. Buick later sold the engine tooling to Kaiser-Jeep, where the design became well known as the Dauntless V6. The Special also offered a new 300-cubic-inch V8, available in different states of tune, including versions rated at about 210 or 250 horsepower. The 300 was notable for its compact dimensions and aluminum cylinder heads and intake manifold, helping keep weight down compared with many traditional all-iron V8s.

The A-body platform itself was a major part of the 1964 story. It gave Buick a competitive intermediate car that was more substantial than a small compact but easier to maneuver and more affordable than a full-size model. The same basic platform supported several GM brands, each with its own styling and character. That shared foundation helped establish the intermediate class as a lasting center of the American car market.

Performance, Speed, and Road Manners

Performance depends heavily on engine, transmission, axle ratio, condition, and body style. A V6 Special was a capable everyday car, while the optional 300 V8 delivered a more energetic response. As a broad period-performance estimate, a healthy V6 car might run from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 11 to 14 seconds. A V8-equipped example could be closer to 8 to 10 seconds. Approximate top speed ranges from about 95 mph for many six-cylinder cars to around 105 mph or more for some V8 versions. These are estimates, not guaranteed figures for every surviving car.

Transmission choices included a three-speed manual, an available four-speed manual, and Buick’s two-speed Super Turbine 300 automatic. The automatic suits relaxed cruising, while a four-speed V8 car offers a more involving experience and is especially appealing to enthusiasts. Period drum brakes and steering systems require more planning and physical input than modern equipment, particularly in traffic or during repeated hard stops.

On the road, the Special feels more substantial than a small economy car. Its suspension is tuned for comfort, so it generally takes ordinary bumps and uneven pavement in stride, with the body moving softly rather than reacting sharply. A winding road reveals the limits of its age: narrow tires, body lean, and comparatively slow steering make it a cruiser rather than a modern sports sedan. The V6 has a distinctive uneven burble, while the 300 V8 adds a deeper, more familiar American rumble. Either way, the car’s charm lies in its relaxed pace and direct mechanical feel.

Living With a 1964 Buick Special

Most Specials today are used for weekend drives, local shows, club events, and occasional touring. A sound, well-maintained car can also serve as a regular driver, but it should not be expected to offer modern levels of braking, crash protection, fuel economy, or comfort in heavy traffic. Convertibles and especially attractive Skylark models are more likely to be treated as show or leisure cars.

Routine maintenance is approachable for an owner with basic mechanical skills. The engine bay is comparatively uncomplicated, and common service work such as ignition tune-ups, fluid changes, brake work, and carburetor attention is familiar to vintage-car shops. Parts availability is generally reasonable for common mechanical items, though trim, body-specific pieces, and correct interior details can take more searching. Before buying, inspect the frame and floors for rust, check the body mounts and suspension, and confirm that the engine, transmission, and brakes are in sound condition.

The Buick 300 V8’s aluminum components deserve particular attention during a cooling-system inspection. Old coolant, corrosion, overheating, or poor repairs can create problems that are more expensive than routine maintenance. As with any 60-year-old car, condition and maintenance history matter more than a seller’s claim that it “only needs a little work.”

Trivia, Variants, and Common Criticisms

The 1964 model year is a useful dividing line in the Special’s history because it marks the move to GM’s intermediate A-body platform. Another point worth clearing up for buyers: Buick’s Gran Sport performance package arrived for the Skylark in 1965, so a 1964 Special should not be represented as a factory Gran Sport. Some cars have since received later engines, badging, or performance modifications, making documentation and identification numbers important.

The Special is not famous for a headline speed record or a single historic event. Its claim to significance is more everyday and, in some ways, more interesting: it helped Buick offer a well-equipped intermediate car with an unconventional V6 and a lightweight-design V8 option. Its shared A-body ancestry also connects it to one of GM’s most influential and widely used car platforms.

Common criticisms include the V6’s unusual exhaust cadence, modest performance in base form, drum brakes, and handling that feels soft by modern standards. The two-speed automatic can also feel limited compared with later transmissions. On the other hand, these traits are part of the period character, and the V8 and manual-transmission combinations provide a livelier alternative.

1964 Buick Special Values and Rarity

Production figures can be difficult to summarize neatly because the Special and Skylark ranges included multiple body styles and trim levels. A reasonable broad estimate is that roughly 100,000 to 150,000 Special-family cars were built for the 1964 model year, though totals depend on which versions are counted. Sedans and wagons are generally easier to find than particularly desirable Skylark convertibles or well-optioned V8 cars.

As a general U.S. market estimate in 2026, a project or rough driver might sell for about $5,000 to $12,000. A solid, usable example often falls around $12,000 to $25,000, while a well-restored car can reach roughly $25,000 to $40,000 or more. Attractive Skylark convertibles, rare combinations, and high-quality restorations may exceed that range. These are broad estimates: rust, originality, documentation, mechanical condition, and local demand can move a price substantially.

Values have generally strengthened for clean, well-presented examples as interest in mid-century American cars continues, but the Special is usually more affordable than a high-profile muscle car or luxury Buick. Prices are not guaranteed to rise, and costly restorations do not always return their full investment. Original cars with desirable equipment and sound bodies are often the safest collector choices.

Why the 1964 Special Still Matters

The 1964 Buick Special occupies a compelling place between compact practicality and traditional Buick comfort. Its new A-body proportions made it more useful, its V6 gave it a distinctive engineering identity, and its available 300 V8 delivered a surprisingly serious performance option. Add the choice of sedans, wagons, hardtops, and convertibles, and the Special becomes more than a single-purpose classic.

It may not shout like a muscle car or glide like a big luxury Buick, but the 1964 Special captures a pivotal moment when American automakers were rethinking size, power, and everyday usability. That combination of innovation and easygoing character is exactly why this understated Buick still deserves a place in the spotlight.