The 1964 Buick Riviera is renowned for its subtle and elegant appearance, both inside and out. However, our feature car is anything but subtle, and its custom paint shade is only the tip of the iceberg. The seller has scrapped the interior trim, replacing it with alligator that makes a bold visual statement. It won’t appeal to all tastes, but it certainly helps this Buick to stand apart in any crowd. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Buick listed here on Craigslist in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The seller set their price at $38,900 for a turnkey classic vehicle.
Buick introduced the Rivera to its model lineup for the 1963 model year, marking its entry into the Personal Luxury Car segment. The company performed minor styling upgrades for 1964, which is when our feature car was produced. It has since received a wide range of custom touches, including a unique grille and the adoption of the hidden headlamp setup from 1965. The seller completed the process by applying a layer of stunning Cherry Red paint to the arrow-straight panels. Initial impressions are positive, with the exterior holding an excellent shine, and the trim and glass in good order. However, scrutinizing the seller’s images reveals some paint cracks that may indicate deteriorating underlying Bondo, as well as a couple of rust bubbles appearing near the back window. These problems don’t look severe, but it would be worth negotiating an in-person inspection to determine how easily they can be addressed. The exterior custom touches are only the tip of the iceberg, because the interior will undoubtedly cause a stir at any Cars & Coffee.
Buick removed the leather trim option from the 1964 Riviera range, replacing it with a more affordable vinyl. The seller has rendered that a moot point, retrimming this car’s interior in alligator trim. It certainly is eye-catching, although it is a matter of taste that will help you decide whether this is a good or bad thing. It doesn’t appeal to me, with the sports wheel only heightening my negative feelings. Of course, that is a personal opinion, and you may disagree. Looking beyond the trim choice, there is little warranting criticism. There is no visible wear or evidence of abuse, with the upholstered surfaces looking consistent across the entire interior. This Riviera doesn’t come with power windows or air conditioning, but the seller has added a retro-style stereo.
It appears that the major drivetrain components are standard 1964 Riviera fare. The buyer receives a 425ci “Nailhead” V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power-assisted steering and brakes. The 425 produced the level of power and torque befitting a Personal Luxury Car, placing 340hp and 465 ft/lbs at the driver’s disposal. Both figures were higher than those received by 1964 Ford Thunderbird buyers, but lower than those produced by Chrysler’s 300K. Therefore, performance was considered very competitive within this market segment. The seller added QA1 coil-overs to the front suspension and bolted air shocks to the rear. They recently replaced the plugs, plug wires, distributor, and tires. They state that the Riviera runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
We’re used to featuring classics that divide opinions at Barn Finds, and I am sure that this 1964 Buick Riviera falls within that category. These remain among my personal favorites from the 1960s, and I have always felt that I’d love to park one in my garage if circumstances allowed. However, it probably wouldn’t be this one. I don’t mind the custom paint shade and accept that it has a few exterior cosmetic flaws requiring attention. I simply can’t warm to the interior, which feels at odds with the inherent elegance displayed by this iconic Personal Luxury Car. Your opinion may differ from mine, and I respect you if that is the case. If you find alligator hide irresistible, is it enough to tempt you to pursue this Riviera further?
Where do I start… first how come the Riv was not moved from that spot to take pictures? Would of like to see the Riv on level ground like the asphalt road. The front end sits to low while the rear looks a wee bit high. I am not sure for the TA exhaust system on this. I feel under the rear bumper would be better. It’s a shame about the paint job. I feel the body was not prep correctly. Now for the Elephant in the room!🤨 The alligator interior is for a special taste of people who are old school. Yes to me it beautiful looking and well done. The wheels i would of went custom rims. Stock looks nice but not on this custom ride. I do like the grille old school custom. To me if the paint was excellent and it had custom rims stock exhaust this ride would of been over $40,000. Good luck to the seller. 🐻🇺🇸
Dam when this man goes to ugly up a Riviera, he doesn’t hold back.
This is my 2nd comment. My first disappeared!! …. ok where do I start. I wish the seller moved the Riv from this spot onto the asphalt road for better pictures and to see how it sits. The front end is to low while the rear is a wee bit high. Don’t care for the TA exhaust system, stock would be better. The stock rims don’t look good on this custom ride. Aftermarket rims would look better and so much too choose from. The old school custom grille is really cool. Now for the elephant in the room. The alligator interior is for people who are old school where I seen this done at car shows. It’s well done and I do like it. 👍 It’s a shame the body was not prepared correctly to avoid this problem. The engine compartment looks great. I am surprised no AC. I know its in BC not extremely hot like in New York in the summer. I feel the price is fair but if the body was done right and exhaust stock and the rims where custom the price would be $45,000.00 . I wish the seller good luck. 🐻🇺🇸
How did all that alligator skin make it all the way from down here in FL to Canada? I bet that cost someone an arm and a leg!
Down here, you know you’re getting old when you get compliments on your alligator skin shoes…and you’re barefoot!
Found a buyer!
I came for the comments, I was not disappointed. Hilarious! Yeah trimming the console in alligator would have been OK but the seats? That doesn’t even look comfortable. I have to say the paint color really suits this Riv.
I’m not convinced that the car has been converted to the 1965 clamshell headlights. The Craigslist listing makes no such claim, and I’m not seeing the seam between the upper and lower covers, nor are there any other turn signal/parking lamps. The original 1964 headlights are likely where they’ve always been, but they’re now hidden behind the billet grille. That’s the way it was typically done twenty-five or thirty years ago, when those grilles were the hot ticket for mild custom cars and trucks.
There is a guy now manufacturing kits to put headlights behind the original parking light bezels for the 1963-1964 cars – not converting to the 65 clamshells. I’ve seen him in Riviera Facebook groups.
Just want to say not every classic needs to be built to original, his car and his taste.
The alligator interior is beyond hideous. Some restraint and a little cohesion would have made this a beautiful ride. As it is, it is visual vomit
How much would it cost to return it back to stock?
i bet at least 20k + to do it right. whoever did this needs their tools taken away from them fast
My biggest bug-a-boo about so many of these older cars are the custom steering wheels. I understand that finding a nice factory original is almost impossible for a lot of them but man, as a rule I do loathe aftermarket steering wheels.
I gotta think that there is a killing to be made restoring the factory steering wheels if anybody has the know-how.
There are multiple companies out there that restore original steering wheels.
Why not leopard print or even zebra print? LoL
YO there junk in the trunk YO
I looked at the interior of this car and thought, Oh hell yes! I think it works. But, I am also the weirdest guy I know. GLWS!
I am surpised no one has asked :
Is that a real poncho or a Sears poncho?
You may not know Zappa but why has no one has asked about the ‘alligator.’ The asking price appears high considering the overall condition of the car. Does the interior matter that much?
It does if the buyer wants to import the car into/back to the US. The American alligator is no longer an endangered species but it’s still a protected species. Whether it’s real alligator hide or not CBP will have questions to perhaps pass off to Fish and Wildlife. If the hide is real, documentation of origin etc. will be required. A faux reproduction will still need paperwork to clear CBP.
Been there, done that, probably will do it again for the proper car. This one ain’t it.
Clearly, the upholstery choice is gonna bite this guy in the a$$.
And perhaps not just figuratively!