Rare, Short-Lived, and Gorgeous: 1961 Buick Invicta Looks Better Than New

The Invicta isn't the first Buick we think of when talking about classic cars. It's also a nameplate that many enthusiasts ignore. But I think that's precisely what makes it special. It's not a common sight at local car shows, and it's downright rare in certain iterations. This 1961 convertible is one of those vehicles.

Spotted at a local car meet by YouTube's "Cars & Jets," this Buick is one of those classics that leaves me in awe. Although it's a whopping 64 years old as of 2025, this Invicta looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. Moreover, it sports one of the greatest color combos of the 1960s: a light green exterior over a turquoise interior.

I know some of you would probably call this exterior blue, but Buick's official name for the hue in 1961 was Kerry Green. The interior color seems similar to the Turquoise Poly paint Buick offered at the time, but it features Kerry Green inserts. It's a stunning combo, and everything looks pristine.

1961 was the Invicta's third model year on the market. It's also the year when Buick debuted the second-generation model with several updates. The refresh included a more subdued exterior devoid of the slanted fins that made the 1960 version stand out.

1961 was also the final year for the 364-cubic-inch (6.0-liter) V8 engine. Rated at 314 horsepower, it was offered alongside its bigger replacement, the 401-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8. The latter came with 325 horsepower and 445 pound-feet (603 Nm) of torque on tap. Our host doesn't open the hood, but suggests that this Invicta relies on a 401 V8.

As far as rarity goes, this Invicta is one of 28,733 examples produced in 1961, when the nameplate accounted for nearly 10% of all Buick production. However, the convertible body style makes it notably rarer. Only 3,953 units were ordered with a soft top. Convertibles have the lowest survival rate of all body styles, and we're probably looking at one of fewer than 200 that are still in one piece. The figure is much lower for restored units that are still on the road today.

Classic.com confirms the low market value of 1961 Invictas: restored examples have been selling for around $21,333 at public auctions in recent years. Convertibles tend to go for more, but only one example changed hands for over $36,000. This drop-top is not for sale, but it would likely be one of the more expensive examples.