Robert Eugene (Gene) Winfield is a legendary American car customizer whose work has graced the large and small screens in Blade Runner, RoboCop, Bewitched, and Star Trek. However, his unique road cars cemented his reputation in automotive folklore. One of his creations was this 1963 Buick Riviera with an interesting history. After undergoing a faithful restoration returning it to its former glory, it needs a new home. Therefore, the seller listed it for sale here on Craigslist in Henderson, Nevada. The price of admission isn’t cheap, with potential buyers needing to hand over $200,000 to drive away in this unique slice of automotive history. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mark_K for spotting this amazing Buick.
A gentleman called Jim Noteboom purchased his new Riviera in 1963, taking delivery of what I believe to be the best-looking personal luxury cars in automotive history. He enjoyed his new purchase for a short time before handing it to Jim Winfield to weave his unique brand of magic. No aspect of the exterior escaped his attention, with modifications to the hood, grille, and headlamps. The rear received a new bumper and taillight treatment, while Mr. Winfield transformed the C-Pillars into a buttress-style appearance that totally changed the car’s profile. After adding wire wheels, the car received Winfield’s signature Fadeaway Gold metallic and pearl. The original owner retained the car for two years, only parting with it when he relocated in 1965. He thought the Riviera was destined to be a memory but was reunited with it in 1997. With his beloved custom returning to its rightful home in his garage, he commissioned a restoration returning it to its former glory. It presents superbly, with no paint or panel issues. It spent its life in dry climates, meaning rust isn’t an issue. Overall, the panels and paint require nothing but a new owner willing to continue treating the Buick with care and respect.
Gene Winfield didn’t restrict his attention to this Riviera’s exterior. When he tackled the interior, he added walnut on the console before covering the seats and other upholstered surfaces in Gold and White Naugahyde. The vehicle retained many of its standard appointments like air conditioning, power windows, and a factory radio, while the doors and trunk lid became power-operated. The original owner added an RCA record player, which remains intact. As part of the restoration, the interior was restitched to the original custom design, and it presents superbly. There is no evidence of wear or damage, and the back seat looks like it has never been used. As with the rest of the vehicle, this interior needs nothing.
One aspect of this Riviera that remained largely untouched is its drivetrain. It features a 401ci V8 that sends 325hp to the rear wheels via a two-speed Dynaflow transmission. While Buick focused on this car’s luxury credentials, its ability to cover the ¼ mile in 16.7 seconds was considered impressive for a vehicle of this type. The engine wears some cosmetic enhancements but is original. The car drives well and regularly finds its way to shows and other events.
While the sprightly 95-year-old Gene Winfield is now retired, the shop he founded continues producing stunning vehicles. Placing a value on a meticulously restored or amazingly preserved classic car is generally easy, but cars like this 1963 Buick Riviera write their own rules. They are worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay, but when they have been the product of a builder the caliber of Mr. Winfield, the figure will always be high. This Riviera has only been listed for a short time, and while I doubt the seller will be inundated with inquiries, I suspect it will find a new home. Do you agree?
No pictures of the RCA record player in situ? Disappointed.
It may seem like a lot of money now but 10,20,30 years from now someone might be saying that I’m glad I bought it when I did.
That’s highly unlikely. Transportation and interests will change so much in the next 20 years the “car guy” is going to disappear. Trust me I’m sad about it too.
The car is hideous. The ’63 Riviera was Bill Mitchell’s masterpiece, then along comes this yodelhead to crap all over it. And 200K? Get serious.
Each person has a different dream.
you called Gene Winfield a yodelhean, and i laughed out loud. It is an ugly car.. %100 agree. The stock Riviera is a masterpiece.
Disrespectful bonehead comment of the day goes to….Rex Kahrs!
Most “liked” comment of this post goes to…….ME!
One of the world ten best customizers is a yodelhead? While I think the panels could be a little smaller they are ok. Owner wanted them and Gene delivered. I’ve talked to Gene and he is one of the nicest, down to earth legends you will ever meet and certainly no “yodelhead”. I only wish I owned a car that would warrant a Winfield fade. Where are the custom cars you have built? I didn’t think so.
Great car from a great customizer for today I agree 200 a little heavy but in the future may be a bargain barry
The original Riviera is one of Bill Mitchell’s best designs. Want to see how to customize it properly? Check out Mitchell’s own Riviera Silver Arrow. This is just an overdone mess.
Owners vision, plain and simple. The customer is always right even when they are wrong.
If modified in ’63 how did he get a rear bumper from a later car?
Looks like it was based on a ’65…
Yep that’s a ’65 bumper for sure. 63 and 64 had the taillights above the bumper
With the taillights facing down toward the ground I’d bet they are the original ones put into the original bumpers. Not hard to do. Just cut the holes in the bumper. I’m in full agreement that the ’53s are works of art.
If you actually take the time to read the CL ad you will see that the original taillights were moved to the bumper when the original owner had the work done in 1963.
The black and white photo, which I thought was stock shows the same bumper.
The way I read the story it sounds like it was redone in ’65 so it could be a ’65 bumper.
Also the roof buttresses look like a copy of the ’63, ’64 and ’65 Corvette.
And as for Gene, I hold him as one of the top customizers. No one can do a fade paint job like his, I’ve tried and failed!
In the ’50s, ’60s, and into the ’70s custom shops were booming as owners brought their cars in to be made different or satisfy the customers ideas of what their cars should look like. Nothing was spared as customs were made from new cars, old cars, buses, dump trucks,wheel barrows, whatever. No “sacred” cars in that era. Still going on today.
Gene Winfield is an American treasure. Just because some knuckleheads out there are crying about a mass produced Buick being customized, by the original owner’s request, doesn’t take away from the man’s genius.
Agreed barry
It would be really hard to modify a first-generation Riviera in any way that would improve it, as it’s pretty darn perfect already. I agree, the flying buttresses don’t work, and I’m not enamored of the interior. It’s proof that even the legends don’t get it right all the time. It’s still a really interesting car though.
Man, that’s one ugly car. What a mistake.
I’m in the fugley camp. I agree with those that say this car was a masterpiece. Maybe the greatest GM car. Anything you do to it will detract. Although I’m ok with a little lowering.
To each his own. I’ve done a few frame offs and put my own touch on them but I’ve been criticized. I just tell them I’ll do it my way unless your paying for it.
The car is hideous. And at one there were many of these cars driving around daily, so customizing one wasn’t sacrilegious.
I don’t believe that I would necessarily want to own it, but it is part of automotive history, and that would be cool to have.
I think Rex Kahrs was referring to the owner, who commissioned this work.
Always wondered what Patrick Swayze’s beater car was in ‘Roadhouse.’
Now i know.
Thank you for posting !
Hmmm . . . I have great respect for genius kustomizer and living legend Gene Winfield. But here he took classic perfection and gave it the look of a Rambler Marlin with a ski boat interior. Yechhh. But, as pointed out above, “the kustomer is always right”.
Rambler Marlin was the first thing I thought of when I saw the roofline. It didn’t get any better once I saw the roofline from the left rear quarter. I’d have to wear a bag over my head to drive this.
Just another example of just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should.
I like the term yodel head.
I’ll have to put that in my vocabulary.
Thanks,
It might be Bill Mitchell’s masterpiece but it was only one of Gene Winfield’s.
Gene Winfield has built many, many great customs, but with all due respect, I doubt this one would really qualify as a masterpiece.
Having not been familiar with Gene Winfield, I googled him and images of his cars. I’m still not impressed, as compared to the cars Bill Mitchell presided over at GM, like the Tri-5 Chevies, the ’59 Cadillac, the ’60s Impalas, the ’63 Stingray (with Larry Shinoda), ’66 Toronado, ’67 Eldorado, ’67 Camaro, Chevelle, etc. etc.
Sure, Gene chopped these cars up and painted them with flashy paint schemes, but in my estimation, it’s like putting glitter on a Monet….it doesn’t need it. Superfluous is the word that comes to mind.
Reading all this banter and apparently some people do not understand what a custom car is. This was not a classic car when this was built and that should not have anything to do with what you like or don’t like. It’s a custom, creative art in the automotive world. If you’re a true automobile enthusiast you know the value of this type of car. The days of big car shows has faded away but these were what it was about, making some different, something no one else has done or seen. The paint is what Gene is all about, sure he moved lines and chopped tops. That’s been done to so many cars and trucks over the years but he does his paint work after and no one paints a car like this man. It’s art folks get it? Warhol painted a soup can and for some reason that’s supposed to be art. Appreciate this for what it is, it’s a CUSTOM car.
EXCELLENT explanation! Finally someone here gets it.
I agree with cadmanls he built some very special works of art b
You know….I’ve been trying to rattle my brain as to arrive at some sort of response to that irritating Mr. Rex What’s-his-name. There’s not a thing wrong with criticism…but why does the ugliness have to rear its head in such a way. He doesn’t know Gene Winfield….I must commend you Cadmanls. After I read your reply, I was satisfied, as you said everything I wanted to say….Thanks for that…Well answered.
Exactly Derrick. I’d like to see what the “expert” Rex has ever built.
I think Gene himself would acknowledge that this was not his greatest masterpiece. If his client had only asked for the famous “Winfield Fade” paint job, this car would have been 100% gorgeous. Unfortunately, the hunchback profile of the extended sail panels, completely at odds with the rest of the car, spoiled it. (As a keen-eyed and objective arbiter of taste, that is my final word on the matter)
I just read all the comments and I think they covered all the things a cross section of people would say about this car. If you knew nothing about this car or Gene Winfield, if you read all the comments with an open mind, I think you would be able to understand, the what and why of this car.