American Car Spotters Guide - 1962

The 1962 model Buicks were a mild makeover of the previous years models. The wheelbase dimensions remained the same, with the Electra being 126 inches and the other models 123 inches. Inside the gauges were now hooded to prevent windshield glare, and all models came standard with the 401 CID V8, those fitted to the LeSabre developing 265 horsepower, the Invicta 280 hp and the Electra 325. The new "Wildcat Hardtop" had a medallion on the rear roof pillar, and a unique fabric overlay available in black or white. Prices ranged from $3567 for the LeSabre, $3815 for the Invicta convertible, $4034 for the Invicta Estate Wagon and $4125 for the Electra 325 hp Hardtop Wildcat. Once again the Electra featured four "portholes" on the front fenders, the LeSabre and Invicat having three.

The 1962 model Impala featured new "C" pillar styling for all models except the 4-door hardtop "Sport Sedan." Sport Coupe models now featured the "convertible roof" styling, shared with other GM "B" full-size hardtop coupes. This style proved extremely popular, and contributed to the desirability of the 1962-1964 Impalas as collectibles. The "overhang" roof style of the sedans was replaced with a more attractive, wider "C" pillar with wraparound rear window.

Engine choices for '62 settled down, the 348-cubic-inch (5.7 Litre) V8 discontinued and replaced by the 340 brake horsepower (250 kW) 409-cubic-inch (6.7 Litre), which could be ordered with any transmission. The small-block 283 was enlarged to 327 cubic inches (5.4 Litre), which added more engine choices for small-block fans. Impalas again featured premium interior appointments, plusher seats, and more chrome trim outside, including a full-width aluminium-and-chrome panel to house the triple-unit taillight assembly.

Super Sport (SS) models featured that panel in a special engine-turned aluminium, which was also used to fill the side mouldings, making the SS more distinctive in appearance. Due to reliability problems, the optional Turboglide automatic transmission was discontinued, leaving Powerglide the only autobox available until 1965.

A new 300 sports series replaced the Windsor and could be obtained with leather bucket seats and engine options ranging up to a 405 horsepower, short-tube ram manifold 413-cubic inch V-8 engine. A Chrysler New Yorker, averaging 18.11 miles per gallon, took top position in the Luxury Car Class of the 1962 Mobilgas Economy Run.

The 1962 Pontiacs received a heavy facelift of the 1961 design with more rounded body contours and new rooflines on two-door hardtops featuring convertible-like bows. Catalina sedans and coupes got a one-inch wheelbase increase to 120, after spending 1961 on a 119-inch (3,000 mm) spread shared with full-sized Chevys (Safari wagons retained the 119-inch (3,000 mm) wheelbase through 1964).

Most regular engine/transmission offerings were carried over from 1961 with the 389 cubic-inch Trophy V8 again ranging in power ratings from 215 hp (160 kW) to 348 hp (260 kW). A small number of 1962 Catalinas and other Pontiacs were built with a "non-streetable" 421 cubic-inch Super Duty V8 with dual quads (two four-barrel carburettors) and 405 horsepower (302 kW), along with various "over the counter" performance options offered by Pontiac including aluminium bumpers and even lighter frames with drilled holes (which were dubbed the "Swiss Cheese" frames).

Most regular engine/transmission offerings were carried over from 1961 with the 389 cubic-inch Trophy V8 again ranging in power ratings from 215 hp (160 kW) to 348 hp (260 kW). A small number of 1962 Catalinas and other Pontiacs were built with a "non-streetable" 421 cubic-inch Super Duty V8 with dual quads (two four-barrel carburettors) and 405 horsepower (302 kW), along with various "over the counter" performance options offered by Pontiac including aluminium bumpers and even lighter frames with drilled holes (which were dubbed the "Swiss Cheese" frames).

The 1963 version of the Pontiac Tempest was slightly larger and heavier than the previous two years (now designated a "senior compact"), and with a redesigned transaxle that improved handling, offered a high-performance option much more powerful than the scarcely ordered 215. The 215 was replaced by Pontiac's new 326-cubic inch (5.3 L) V8, a motor with the same external dimensions of the venerable 389, but different internals, designed to produce more torque. A new version of the automatic transmission (now officially stamped "TempesTorque" on the case) was designed with beefier internals to handle it; the four-speed was not, so few, if any, V8 cars were built with four speeds (the three-speed remained for both motors, however).

The high-compression 326's output was 260 hp (197 kW) and 352 ft·lbf (477 Nm) of torque. The actual displacement was 336 cubic inches, but according to lore, since no GM division was allowed to have a motor larger than the Corvette's 327, the advertised number was 326. The cast-iron mill brought weight up 260 pounds over a 195 cubic inches Trophy 4 and weight distribution changed only marginally to 54/46. Performance was strong enough that Car Life magazine stated; "No one will wonder why they didn't use the 389," and fuel economy with the 326 ranged up to 19 mpg. The V8 option proved popular: 52 percent of the 131,490 Tempests and LeMans sold in 1963 were ordered with the 326. The 326 sold in the 1963 cars is a one year-only motor; the next year the displacement was adjusted so that it was actually 326 cubic inches.

Arguably the most spectacular model every produced by Studebaker was the Avanti. Designed by Raymond Loewy, it was introduced in 1962 and had a glassfibre body, disc brakes on the front and an optional supercharger.