From a styling (and performance) perspective, 1965 was a magnificent year for the American auto industry. Especially at GM. And they didn’t roll off the assembly line any more magnificent looking than the 1965 Buick Riviera. To me, it’s the best looking car of the 1960’s. And here’s one of the 34,586 Riviera’s built for the 1965 model year that has spent its entire life in sunny California being pampered by three owners. If you’re a stickler for keeping it factory original, this may not be your cup of tea. This Riviera’s wearing a different paint color and has both an aftermarket stereo and air ride suspension. But this nice looking daily driver also has its share of plusses, too: it’s well-optioned, is rust free, has 90% of its original interior, and shows only 97,373 original miles on its 401-cubic inch engine. It’s currently residing in Boise, Idaho and is for sale here on eBay. As I’m writing this, the Riviera is generating quite a bit of interest: 83 bids have been placed with the current bid sitting at $22,065 (but that hasn’t met the seller’s reserve).
The seller doesn’t give us much history beyond that it’s had three owners from the Golden State. There’s a photo of its data plate that shows it left the Flint, Michigan factory with its top and body painted Arctic White. The sellers says the Riviera was painted its current “Firemist Copper” about 15 years ago. It looks presentable and the seller admits there are some minor flaws in the paint. The body looks very good with no signs of rust or any rust or accident repair. The glass looks good and the original trim and chrome are still on it which the seller describes it as in fair condition.
“If just sitting in this car doesn’t do something for you, consider yourself over the hill.” That’s how Buick described the Riviera’s interior in their sales booklet and they were right. The Riviera’s black interior with its front and rear bucket seats, woodgrain trim, and cool center console with the Super Turbine selector lever just oozes classic ’60’s personal luxury.
Except for the driver’s seat that was reupholstered about five years ago, the seller says the rest of the interior is “mostly original.” This Riviera was custom built for a Vickey Tomchu and it’s cool that the small plaque is still on the instrument panel. Vickey’s new Riviera left the factory with AC (it needs a new condenser), cruise control, tilt steering wheel, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seat, power antennae, remote outside mirrors, and power hideaway headlights.
Under the Riviera’s Firemist Copper hood sits the Buick’s original numbers-matching 401-cubic inch, 4-barrel carb V8 with 97,373 original miles on the clock. It’s mated to a Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission. I can see why this Riviera is generating bidding interest. It appears to be a solid, driver-quality California car that just happens to be in the shape of a Buick Riviera. So, what do you think?
Can’t go wrong, with a Riv.
Patrick Swayze…Roadhouse!
Factory color or not, I think the color choice is beautiful. It makes that Riviera just pop!
Absolutely gorgeous, ten times more appealing than the original white.
Ron. Have to agree with you. The 65 Riv is probably one of the 60s best looking cars. Was going to buy one about 15 years ago when a perfect one was $25,000 or less. Those days long gone and rightfully so. That front styling is a knock out. Today what few cars are made are dreadful. The stylists today should be ashamed of themselves.
Is this a Gran Sport ??
Quite a change of color from the original, but I like it.
As to the subwoofer, meh. I’d rather have a factory AM-FM ( or FM stereo, can’t remember if stereo radios were available in ’65, know they were in ’66) with a rear speaker and reverberater.
I agree with Rex. Loose the air suspension. Of course, you can always join the local car club here that has these air suspension cars exclusively. 🤔 Not for me. Too much of a keep it original guy.
The air suspension is no big deal if the car still rides nice. No need to tear it out, just set it where you like and then leave it alone. Nice to see it doesn’t have big garish wheels and rubber band tires that are usually added with air ride. Someone had money, know-how and good taste, a rare combination.
I bet the radio sounds nice, but I prefer to see the original radio with hidden upgrades.
This Riviera is quite beautiful in its current condition, very tasteful and handsome.
Beautiful, one of the best designs to ever come out of Detroit!Wonderful color, just iconic,GM was just on a design roll, during this period!
Ron your write ups are some of the best, thank you. I love Riviera’s from 63-65. After that not so much. There are a couple options not listed that would have put this car over the top. Electric trunk release and automatic headlight dimmer. I’m not a big fan of air suspension because the coil spring set up from the factory with good shocks makes for a really good ride. My 64 has 425 cid engine, but that 401 will move this car nicely. It’s time for me to buy a new battery for mine but the maintainer kept it charged for 6 years. I keep it garaged all the time and only drive it on nice days. I really love the clam shell headlights on the 65 model though. These cars are increasing in value so now is the time to buy if you want a beautiful automobile to drive.
God Bless America
I have to say, back in the day I thought this body style Riviera was one of the sexiest US made cars on the market. The body style was great IMO that was topped by the clamshell headlights. Never owned one nor drove one but have seen them at car shows in the past and I still think they’re sexy vehicles.
It’s the right year with the right changes……..DROOL…
Clamshell headlights. The only one they ever got exactly right.
WoW, nuttin like it (certainly not the 2nd gen/face lifts to follow) But…
the 1st gen Toronado as well (no! on nxt gens too). @ over the top.
Can we get such beauty ina car now w/the dwn szing needed? I think so (but it’s not in the space aged, angular, Korean or their copies). Fear not the retro. Keep at it. Style can return
I used to shovel snow for extra money when I was in high school. I only had a a retired engineer for a customer. He was probably in his late 70’s to early 80’s at the time.The first day he showed me where the shovel was in his detached garage, When he opened the side door I beheld the exact same car. A brand new 1965 Buick Riviera in firemist copper. My jaw literally dropped. To see my dream car in my favorite color really made my day. Then I had to start shoveling. Oh well.
I look at this Riv and think why and how did the designers of automobiles get so boring and the same look in many cars. Something changed this.