When potential buyers begin their search for a classic car to park in their garage, a vehicle with a long-term ownership history is always reassuring. That generally indicates that the car in question has been treated with respect because they can look pretty ordinary if they have been subjected to ongoing abuse for an extended period. That should make this 1963 Buick Riviera an attractive proposition because it has belonged to the same family since Day One. Adding to this Riviera’s attraction is the genuine 44,000 miles that show on its odometer. All good things must come to an end, so the family has decided that the time has come for this Buick to head to a new home. It is located in Lynnwood, Washington, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price at $29,900, and he states that he is not interested in considering trades. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder MattR for referring this classic to us.

I’ve always found the 1963 Riviera to be an attractive car, and it is one that I would love to park in my garage if the opportunity arose. While it is larger than its natural competitor, the Ford Thunderbird, Buick managed to create a classic with light and elegant styling. This is perfectly demonstrated by our feature car that is finished in stunning Regal Black. The paint shines beautifully, with very few marks or flaws. Black paint is also excellent at exposing any dings or defects in the steel that hides beneath, but I can’t spot any problems worth noting. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and there’s no evidence of any rust problems. The owner refers to this Buick as rust-free, which paints a positive picture for potential buyers. The exterior trim presents superbly, as does the glass. The immaculate Rally wheels and whitewall tires seem the perfect way to round out the exterior appearance.

When owners climbed aboard their ’63 Riviera, they were left with no doubt that they were about to participate in a special motoring experience. Buick did their utmost to ensure that the occupants felt special, and that impression continues to this day. This is a four-seater vehicle with an interior trimmed in White leather. The upholstered surfaces generally look respectable, with no rips or tears. Some of the surfaces have developed the creases that are an almost obligatory part of aged leather, but if the buyer keeps the leather conditioned, it should remain soft and supple for years to come. That doesn’t mean that the interior is perfect because there are a few flaws that the buyer will probably choose to address. The dash pad is cracked in a couple of places, so the buyer might want to spend $205 on a replacement. A couple of the walnut trim pieces have deteriorated noticeably, especially the one on the passenger door. Buyers can find individual parts to replace these, but they might find some color inconsistency between the old and the new. If this is a concern, they can source a complete kit for around $360.  With those items replaced, this interior would look pretty nice. The original radio has made way for a CD player, but I can’t spot any other additions. I can’t spot any evidence that the owner ordered the car with luxury touches like air conditioning, but power windows should add a further air of luxury to the interior.

The owner offers very little information on the Riviera’s mechanical specifications, but he states that it has 44,000 genuine miles on the clock. He doesn’t mention verifying evidence, but he does seem approachable if potential buyers have questions about this aspect of the car. Buick offered potential buyers a choice between two engines for their ’63 Riviera, although the majority selected the 401ci “Nailhead” V8. If that is what is under the hood of this Riviera, it should offer the driver 325hp that finds its way to the rear wheels via a Twin Turbine automatic transmission. Power steering and power drum brakes were part of the package to further add to the luxurious feel of this classic. If the driver were to point the Buick at a ¼ mile, the journey would be over in around 16.7 seconds. Ford’s Thunderbird could just eclipse that figure, but it was a close call between the pair. For potential buyers, the news seems to be pretty good. While we don’t receive any information on the specifications, the owner indicates that it has no mechanical issues. That suggests that it is a turn-key classic that is ready to be driven and enjoyed.

When I was faced with writing about this 1963 Buick Riviera, I knew that I would have to be objective. This wasn’t easy because I have always wanted to park one of these in my driveway. I profess a soft spot for any car that wears the blue oval badge, but I believe that Buick created something stunning when they unveiled the Riviera. I am not alone in this belief because the buying public clamored for the 40,000 cars the company chose to build for that model year. This one is not perfect, but it is a low-mileage survivor that needs little to be lifted to the next level. I am not in a position to purchase it at this point, but I wish that I was. If one of our readers becomes its next owner, I’m not ashamed to say that I will envy them for it.