When a manufacturer presents a new model to the buying public, there are two approaches they can take. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than with two different vehicles released during the 1960s. When Ford unveiled the Mustang, it saturated the market with vehicles. Buyers acted like sharks during a feeding frenzy and snapped them up as fast as they could roll off the production line. In that respect, Ford found itself with a massive sales success. Buick followed a different philosophy with its First Generation Riviera. Market research demonstrated their expected sales volumes, but the company decided to produce fewer cars than the figures recommended. By so doing, they maintained the Riviera’s air of exclusivity and created ongoing demand. Our 1965 Riviera is an original and unrestored survivor that has accumulated a mere 50,000 miles during its life. It needs a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on Craigslist. The Buick is located in Woodside, California, and comes with a sales price of $45,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for referring this beautiful survivor to us.
It seems that this Regal Black Riviera has led a sheltered existence. It has spent its life in California, which is the first spot of positive news for potential buyers. First Generation Rivieras could be prone to rust issues in the wrong environment, but this car hasn’t suffered that fate. The owner claims that there isn’t so much as a spot of surface corrosion on this classic, which places it a rung above most survivors of this age. Its cause has undoubtedly been aided by the fact that it has remained garage-kept since Day One. The paint shines beautifully, with only an accumulation of minor marks preventing it from achieving perfection. The panels are equally impressive, while the chrome, trim, and factory wheels offer a striking contrast to that magnificent Black paint. The glass appears spotless, and the overall first impression this Buick makes is hugely positive.
I admit that when I saw that this Riviera is located in California, I was bracing for an interior that may have suffered at the hands of harsh UV rays. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The original owner ordered the car trimmed in Black, and it has survived the last fifty-seven years remarkably well. I noted a crack on the driver’s door armrest, but that is one of the few flaws worth mentioning. There may be a small split on the outside of the driver’s seat, but if there is, it is small enough to be repaired with a blind patch. The remaining upholstered surfaces and the carpet appear excellent, and in a significant triumph, the dash and pad have avoided any sun damage. The faux woodgrain trim looks free from fading or lifting, and there are no other issues worth mentioning. Equipment includes factory air conditioning, power windows, and an AM radio. It may not seem a lot by today’s standards, but it would have made the inside of this four-seat Personal Luxury Car a pleasant place to spend some time.
Lifting the hood is when we get to the business end of the deal with this Buick. Buyers could choose from several motors in 1965, and the original owner plumped for the 465 Wildcat V8. This 425ci brute pumped out 340hp and, as the name suggests, 465 ft/lbs of torque. The Riviera also features an automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The car may tip the scales at 4,210lbs, but it could still give Ford’s iconic Thunderbird a run for its money in the performance stakes. This Rivera should demolish the ¼ mile in 15.5 seconds before winding its way to 129mph. For potential buyers, there’s plenty to consider with this classic. It is a numbers-matching survivor that runs and drives perfectly. The seller claims that it has a genuine 50,000 miles showing on its odometer, and judging by the collection of paperwork he holds, I suspect that he can probably verify this. The new owner will receive the original Build Sheet, Window Sticker, and Protect-O-Plate. It appears that there may be more, but these are the items he mentions explicitly in his listing.
I have a bit of bad news…for me. I’ve squeezed my piggy bank and checked behind the cushions on the sofa, but I’m well short of the $45,000 required to park this 1965 Riviera in my garage. I have always admitted a bias for any car carrying the Blue-Oval badge, but I believe that the First Generation Riviera is the best-looking Personal Luxury Car to emerge from the ’60s. I would seriously consider pursuing this classic further if I had the money. However, my loss could be your gain. So, what do you say? Are you tempted to contact the seller and talk turkey?
Wow, these Rivs are really climbing in value. But this car has a lot going for it with the color combination, the AC, and the fact that it is a ’65, which people prefer.
Here’s my ’63, I paid 6K 3 years ago, and put probably another 6K into. It’s awesome.
Rex, yours is a beauty.
Man, you stole that one! Nice ride.
@Rex that’s a beauty. I owned a 63, 64 and 65 at one time…the 65 was my true love but I got the 63 in a trade and the 64 was a $100 buy (lol…it was a while ago)
My 65 had the engine combo in this eBay one and it chirped the tires going from 2nd to 3rd…it roasted them in 1st. Buick rang the high bell with these 1st gen Rivs
Your Riveria is stunning especially in that color. Here’s to many miles of enjoying your ride.
Hi Rex, I have tried to post a picture of mine but to no avail. I used to send them from my phone but it doesn’t work anymore. I bought a new Dell lap top but it’s to complicated for me. They’ve gone to windows 11 now. I can’t even figure out how to send messages to my printer or download pictures from my phone. I’m getting to the age (74) where I’m out of the loop. Still love both your Buick and your Chrysler. Take care God bless.
God bless America
Gorgeous Riv, Rex! Lucky you.
Does it still have the original Dynaflow?
Hi Bob C., Yes, my car does have the original Dynaflow.
I personally have no problem with it. But I guess I don’t know enough about transmissions to know why it is so reviled. It seems to work just fine, and the car is really fast.
And thanks everyone for the kind words. A lot of work went into the car, all before I had a lift. And my neck still hurts after doing that headliner!
Ok, you got me, Rex….I’ll give you 10k for it…..
Thanks 370, the paint looks better in the photo!
I see what you did there with the street sign. Your cat is a winner!
Partial to the 4 headlight models but either way these two cars pictured are really good looking machines. Beautiful cars with big engines to boot.
The big question, do they work?
So the salesman works the clamshells………
I’ll take it!
Rex You have a beautiful 63 Riv, especially for the amount of your investment.
Rex You have a beautiful 63 Riv, especially for the amount of your investment.
Rex. So jealous. I could have bought a turquoise mint 65 Riv GS about a dozen years ago for $22,000. Should have jumped on it. I believe a 65 Riv sold mast month for $91,000 at Mecum. One of Bill Mitchell’s crowning achievements and a time when cars were stunning. Today, all I see are ugly SUVs. My 87 year old mother could design a better car than all the overpriced junk for sale today.
One of the nicest looking cars ever.
I remember taking a plastic model kit of a Riviera
to a neighbor kid’s birthday party,& wishing I could
keep it.
Thanks George. My car sat under a tarp in a guy’s driveway in Largo for 30 years. Hadn’t driven in all that time, hadn’t run in about 22 years.
I didn’t rebuild the engine, but I did spend about 2 months refurbishing under the hood and re-doing the interior. Gas tank flush, belts, pumps, hoses, carb re-build, wires, Pertronix etc. etc. That Friday when I first tried to start it was fun. I got a cold snack, invited the wife out to the compound, and primed the carb. Second turn of the key and it idled like a brand new car.
I’m no dancer, but I did that day!
From there I went on to the brakes….
The 63-65 Riviera’s from all i’ve seen and read..still used real walnut wood veneers..not faux…This was one of my first dream cars as a young lad in the 60’s.
Ditto what Robert said, real wood veneer.
Also, the A/C in this car is a dealer add-on unit…
Nice ride!
I do not know if I had the $45,000 I would buy this. NJ’s winters can be tough on a car though this winter where I live has to date not been covered by a lot of snow. Long ago in a galaxy far away Buick built some beautiful cars. This Riveria is a prime example.
Worked with a guy in the early ‘70s who had the twin to this car, except that his had dual quads. He was about 20 at the time. It had a rumbly cam and Konis. Totally stock otherwise. Beautiful car!
They are beauties for sure!
Don’t know if I would go 45 though.
Based on the steering wheel horn bar, this is an early production example. The two chrome spears on either side of the horn bar were eliminated during the first quarter of production.
My uncle had a 65. We were driving our 66 a month before they were released. My Parenrs were always being stopped and asked was it was. I personally preferred the 66 over the 65 for truly being a classic. There was nothing like it.
I have to admit, though I’m not much of a Buick fan, if I was going to have one the Riv with the clamshell headlights (working obviously) would be my first choice.
This one really looks great to my eye.
Nice car, but that is NOT factory A/C. In the interior picture, you can see the unit hanging under the dash over the passenger floor space. And in the engine pic, you can clearly see that the radiator is undersized and the A/C compressor is not a GM/Harrison unit. Even if the unit blows ice cold, those systems tend to make the car run hot. It’s a shame that such a beautiful car would have that kind of system in it.
There is no current or recent car styled to compete with the ’63-’65 Riv. With the exception of the Bentley Continental GT. Both are just plain beautiful.
In about 1968 I remember riding in the 3rd seat of my parent’s 1967 Plymouth Fury III wagon, facing rearward. My little brother was sitting next to me, when a beautiful ’65 Riviera pulls up behind us as we waited at a traffic light. My brother was only 10, but he did notice the Buick didn’t seem to have headlights.
So cupping my hands, I showed him how the clamshells opened up. Suddenly the Buick’s clamshell covers opened, and on looking up I saw the driver smile and give me a wave. For a 15 year old “gearhead”, getting that recognition from the owner of such a beautiful car, was wonderful!
Beautiful memory from your childhood Bill. Thanks for sharing.
God bless America
John, thanks!
Funny story Bill. The things we remember…
Rex,
Thanks. That memory, even after 50+ years, is still vivid, and is probably one of the reasons why I bought a nice original dark blue ’65 Riv about 30 years ago. Still regret selling it, but at the time the buyer waved too much moolah at me, and another Packard convertible was beckoning!
Opinions are like,….ya know. But I believe this is one of the most beautiful designs to come from Detroit. What a beauty!
Quite a contrast to todays jelly bean shaped cars in differing shades of grey.
This past weekend I had an offer on my truck. If I had known about this Riv ,I probably have said yes. I would buy this in a second. This one has all the right stuff and anything you did to it could only make it better and I don’t think the value or the popularity will ever go down.