Buick introduced its debut Riviera as a 1963 model, with the first-generation cars only lasting for 3 model years before a revamp in 1966. The car ended up having a long life and lasted all the way up through 1999, only skipping one year model in 1994, and while there were some really good moments along the way it’s just hard to beat the styling of those early models. Buick also managed to sell over 112,000 first-generation Rivieras, proving that the buying public was embracing the concept of a personal luxury car, and if you’ve been in the market for a well-preserved example that checks a lot of the right boxes this 1965 Buick Riviera might be a good car for you. It’s located in Portland, Oregon, and can be found here on Craigslist with an asking price of $23,500. Barn Finds would like to thank reader T.J. for another great tip on this one!
The Riviera presents quite well and there are plenty of photos, but little information is given about the car’s history, and while the seller refers to it as a “sport coupe” I don’t think it is actually a Gran Sport, as there are no emblems under the Riviera body markings indicating a GS. Maybe one of our Buick aficionado readers can confirm or correct this in the comments. However, under the hood resides the optional massive 7.0 liter 425 cubic inch power plant instead of the standard 401 V8, so GS or not this E-Body has plenty of power. The odometer reading is stated to be 95,801, but no word on whether or not it has rolled over, or if the engine or transmission has ever had an overhaul.
Outside, the Shell Beige paint certainly looks to be in nice shape and the car’s fit and finish appear to be top-notch, but no word on if it’s had a recent respray. The areas inside the door jambs look good, as do the chrome bumpers and wheel covers, with nothing glaring that shows any immediate cause for concern. But again, it would have been good if the seller has told us a little more about the car’s past, or how long he has owned it.
The interior is overall nicely preserved, and while the top of the dash could use some attention, most everything else inside looks to be in decent shape. Something the seller does talk about in detail is all of the equipment found inside this car, and there’s a lot of it, including a Sonomatic Radio with rear seat speakers and electric antenna, air conditioning, power seats, power windows, four-tone horn, and an automatic trunk release button inside the glove box.
I’m always thankful when at least one photo of the underside is included, and when the seller provides 8 pictures from down below that’s even better! I’m not sure if those are genuine or knock-off style Cherry Bomb mufflers, but with a pair of them that 425 must make a deep noise that can be heard half a mile away. What are your thoughts on this 1965 Buick Riviera?
Dam that’s right
What’s up with that red heater hose. It looks like it’s bypassing the heater core. Any thoughts Scotty G.?
It sure looks like a HC By Pass. Done that many a time.
The red hose is by-passing heater core, it probably leaks. Who cares this is A Buick Riviera and it appears to be in very good shape. The price also seems fair if it checks out in person. I would love to have a “RIV’ for my everyday driver.
Someone had better snag this beauty quick! I’ll bet a buffalo nickel it doesn’t last long at this price. Another one of GM’s great body styles IMO.
A friend of mine bought a maroon colored one last summer for $4,200. This car needs a new heater core put in. Not a easy job. When I see a nice clean interior and shiney body. Impressive. Raise the hood and see dirt. I think a woman owned car, That hasn,t has maintance done to it–like they were told had been. This car is way over priced. Don,t let the shiney looks fool you–check it out good.
I believe your right. As a kid I ran across old mid 60’s cars. I recall I never saw a vintage car when opening the hood had a engine bay so dirty!
Must sound pretty sassy with those glass packs!
Nice 65 Rivi. Got some nice options. Heater hose is probably by-passed because it’s a major undertaking to R & R heater cores on these cars, Any under dash work on these cars is a major headache. I own a 64 and it’s a great car, I really love it but when I had to do some work under the dash, replacing a/c duct hoses and a few other things I got a real taste of nastiness in my nostrils and pains in my back while doing so. I didn’t even get to the heater core as that requires removing the center consul and more components. So if my heater core ever needs replacing it will be by-passed.
I’m not real in love with the color on this one, but to each their own. God bless everyone,
God Bless America
I agree on the heater core. Did the one on my ’65 in the winter, worst was I had to get a core specially made being I was in the UK at the time. That meant I had over an hours drive to work for a week with gaping holes in the firewall. Bit chilly…… Don’t think this is a 425 as it doesn’t have the finned aluminum valve covers either.
Fantastic car, big motor.
My .02 ..The Riviera looks finest in a navy blue or black paint.
I agree with Trav66 this won’t last long and it’s a very fair price for my favorite year Riviera which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful cars of the 60’s. My friend worked on one a while back and he said the clamshell headlight doors were a real pain to get working correctly and he was disappointed with the way the vehicle drove. Either way I would need to give this car a chance because I’m hooked on the good looks.
Check out song Little River airhead,by Junior Brown some serious Jams.
Rivi auto spell sux
I used to think these looked good in any color. I was wrong. It should be criminal to paint such a striking car in such a dull color.
…but that color may also be the reason it has survived – this is your typical gray-hair careful owner color.
Now isn’t that contradictory; of all the tasteful colors that were available on ’65 Rivs – Buick’s very own proud flagship – someone checked this extremely boring hue, but still opted for the 425…
Grandpa was feeling friskie that day….
Link took me to a van wanted ad? I was about to head North for this one.
I had a Midnight Blue 1965 Riviera in the UK, imported new. Very high option car but no a/c. Had all the bells and whistles, 425 with dual quads, rocker panel trim, power vent windows too. Rear defroster, power trunk lock, etc. About the only thing missing from it being a GS was the actual GS badges and steering wheel. This one does have the GS steering wheel.
The steering wheel was not included with the Gran Sport option. It was a separate option that could also be had on other Buicks from 1964-1966.
Hmmm clicked on the CL link, and that is a VANtastic ad….
Must have sold long ago because even a search doesn’t show it
Yes on the gs question. You could also order the grand sport with the wildcat package which gave u twin 4 barrel carbs and a few other things
“They work?”
I was working for Cessna when one of the big bosses bought one of these beautiful cars. Several of us were gathered around it and I asked the big guy what the gas mileage was and his reply was “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it”. Gas was cheap then too.
“The big guy”? Would that be Hunter or Joe?
I have heard that line also. “I you need to ask then you cannot afford it!” Lol
I am fairly new to the Riviera family, always had big Caddies and Imperials previously.
Saw this baby on BF and had to have it.
Last year of the Riviera line…Love it!
In 63 when they came out, I thought they were the best looking car on the road. But I was only 12 then. But this one is special with that motor, Because there was no GS at that time
Well, for ’64 the 425 was actually the Riv’s base engine. GS appeared for the ’65 model year
There were very few cars that ever pulled off the so-called “notch back” body style. When stylists got it right, is was stunning. The 67-69 Barracuda, was one of the prettiest. In my estimation, nicer looking than the fastback for those years.
The Riviera in this body style was the very essence of ‘class’… in some other color (Navy was suggested), of course.
It always appeared to me that the car screamed for a convertible option. If I dripped money, it might be a great customizing treatment to have a properly designed and built convertible top, along with a set of the A22 wheel covers or chrome ‘Magnums”. I wax wistful just thinking about it.
I only rode in a first generation Riviera once. It was a friends dad who bought one used in 1968. It was a black 1965 Riviera GS. Fast, and loud is what I remember.
A few years earlier I got a part time job shoveling snow, when I was still in high school, for a retired mining engineer. I’ll never forget him opening the side door of his garage that Fall, and seeing a spotless copper colored 1965 Riviera sitting there. That was my first jaw dropping experience.
The air cleaner on a 401 would say Wildcat 445. For the 425 it would say Wildcat 465. These were the torque ratings. It is hard to make out what this air cleaner says due to the wear on it. The best way to determine which engine it has is to look at the code on the top of the block in front of the valley cover.
A 401 would have a “LT” code. This was the standard engine in 1965.
A 425 would have a “LW” code. This was the optional engine and 2,311 units were built with it.
A Super Wildcat with the dual quads would have a “LX” code. This was the standard engine in the Gran Sport but this engine was available in the standard Riviera as well and 454 non-Gran Sport’s were built with this engine.
Also, the engine serial number should match the VIN to authenticate it is the original engine.
Patrick, my old eyes detect what looks like the word “Wildcat” at the bottom of the lid on the breather.
I very rarely jump for these , but this beauty should be in my garage! Search revealed nothing. Guess she is long gone. !!
The description mentions the paint, and with those non-stock pinstripes on the side, my guess is that those were added after a re-paint. For a very well equipped Riv, there is one cheap option it does not have, which 99% of the Rivieras do have–tinted glass. Especially since it’s a fact AC car, that is a strange omission.
My local dentist brought a new one like this in the same color. His office was not far from my home. He kept it very clean and it was always very shiny. It was a beautiful car. I actually don’t remember seeing other cars like this in any other color and thought this must have been a very popular color in 1965.
Teal Mist is a nice color…