Many enthusiasts aren’t keen to tackle someone’s unfinished project, which is understandable. There is always the danger that some vehicles possess nasty hidden surprises that will cost an arm and a leg to fix. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case with this 1965 Buick Riviera. Its exterior looks stunning, and the seller states that it runs and drives extremely well, leaving the buyer with the rewarding task of installing the new interior to bring the build to completion. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the beautiful Buick listed here on Craigslist in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada. The Riviera could be yours for $40,000.
Ford created the Personal Luxury Car market segment when it released the original Thunderbird in 1955. Other companies followed suit, with Buick unveiling the Riviera in 1963. It enjoyed instant acclaim, with its Coke-Bottle styling, penned by Ned Nickles, widely praised. The First Generation sold in respectable numbers, with its appearance evolving slowly before making way for a replacement in 1966. One distinctive feature for 1965 was the “stacked” headlamps, which were concealed behind clamshell covers in the front fenders. It gave the car a cleaner look, which further enhanced the sleek appearance. This Riviera is a final-year vehicle finished in stunning Regal Black. The pristine state of the paint and the lack of panel imperfections suggest that it has undergone a recent cosmetic restoration, although this isn’t categorically stated in the listing. I can’t spot anything warranting criticism about its appearance, and with the interior partially dismantled, we can see that there are no issues with floor rot. The trim is in good condition, the glass is clear, and the Riviera rolls on wire wheels wrapped in whitewalls.
As with its competitors, the 1965 Riviera was V8-only territory. This car features the 401ci “Nailhead” V8, which sends a factory-quoted 325hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. Given the badge’s luxury leanings, the presence of power assistance for the steering and brakes is unsurprising. The engine bay is tidy for a classic of this vintage, although its appearance isn’t outstanding. That doesn’t matter much, because it’s how it runs and drives that matters. In this case, it does both well. The seller indicates that the Riviera is in excellent mechanical health and will provide an excellent motoring experience once the buyer completes the one remaining task in this build.
With the exterior receiving so much attention, leaving this Riviera’s interior looking shabby and tired would have been wrong on so many levels. Therefore, while what remains inside this car appears to be in good condition, the new owner faces the task of installing the new seats, carpet, and a few smaller items. Doing so will be rewarding, and with the car then adopting a Black on Black paint and trim combination, every journey will feel special. It is also nicely equipped by the standards of the day, with this Riviera featuring air conditioning, power windows, a tilt wheel, a remote driver’s mirror, and a pushbutton radio.
I have long considered the 1960s to be the golden era in American motoring history. Some may argue against that, but it is a decade that delivered the original Dodge Charger and Pontiac GTO to a breathless buying public. It also produced a full complement of pony cars, along with both the C2 and C3 Corvettes. Choosing a favorite to park in my garage is seemingly impossible, although I have always found myself irresistibly drawn to the First Generation Buick Riviera. And who could blame me? Its styling is stunning, its interior offers the luxury that buyers expect from cars of this caliber, and the performance is impressive for a car of this type. This 1965 Riviera needs very little before it hits the road, making it an ideal candidate for winter tinkering in a home workshop. The seller’s price is slightly higher than I might expect, but it appears that the only expenditure the buyer faces beyond that figure is the time that it will take to install the new interior. With values climbing, it could represent a worthwhile investment. That is certainly a point to ponder.
Gearhead eye candy at its sweetest. Terrific web surfing, Adam, this one is one of the best projects we’ve seen here on BF especially for the price. Finish drive it and expect to draw crowds wherever you go.
Great looking car. I have to wonder why the seemingly easy job of the interior is left undone. I think the seller would have an easier time getting closer to his price if the project was done. That said, I don’t know what his situation is, nor is it any of my business. I’m not criticizing, but making an observation.
You got that right,Nevada,finish it and drive it to the second job u had to get,just to pay for it.These prices sure don’t reflect a softening old car market.
I re-did the interior of my 63 Riviera (and headliner!), so it’s baffling why the seller wouldn’t take a few hours (maybe 8) to install the carpet and seats and make a proper presentation of this car, especially at the very premium price of 45K. People.
More specifically, I PERSONALLY re-did the interior of my 63 Riv (and headliner!), so why doesn’t this seller bring this car across the finish line before asking top dollar, in a remote location for US buyers?
Who wants to pay 45K with the seats and carpet out of the car, and try to figure out how to ship the car in that condition? I paid 6K and did the work myself, and put the correct tires on the thing. C’mon people.
Rex: Check out this one:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1963-buick-riviera-47/
The interior is out so you can see there is no rust in the floors and who knows he or she might complete this when sold
Whitewalls w the all black look sharp. 40k Canadian 🍁💰 could be a nice discount for our American friends.
Whenever I mention GM having having some of the most handsome cars in the Mid 60’s, this is one of them. I like the black with the whitewalls. All I can thinknof is that perhaps something happened to the owner and maybe they just can’t finish the project. Life happens to all of us. How many of us here have had life altering events happen in an instant… And you’re life is never going to be the same, whether its a health issue, family issue, or what have you. That being said. This will be absolutely gorgeous when its done.
By knowing that w i d e whitewalls had generally fallen out of stylistic favor by the mid sixties, I tend to prefer the narrow ones; although I admit, these are better than black walls! GLWTS!! :-)
Thanks Moparman. I’ll be watching this auction. Willow Mist is a nice color.
Narrower whites, maybe the double stripe variety. Although I think red stripes would be sporty with that nice black paint.
Can you imagine driving a car that looks this good and then have constant anxiety because you can’t park it anywhere without having a careless Altima driver pulling in too closely and slamming the door into the side when exiting the car..!
$40k Canadian is $29k US. That’s a pretty reasonable price for this black beauty. Great write up Adam.
Get rid of the wide whites. They don’t belong on a 1965 Riv. A narrow white at about 1 inch wide would be appropriate.
Beautiful….😍
Bought a black 1965 Riviera in 1991 for $3500. Daily driver until 2005. Wish I still had it.
i would put the interior back in it. going to be easier to sell and possibly get the askin price. most buyer dont want to deal with doing that.
I always thought the 65 Riviera got the 425 cid 4 barrel and the GS got the 425 2X4 (dual quads) and the 401 wasn’t put in the Riviera’s! I’ve yet to see one!
1963 and 1965 Riviera had the 401 as the standard engine. 1964 had the single 4bbl 425 as the standard engine. You could order the 425 in 1965. And you could order the 425 engine (2 x 4) in a NON-GS Riviera in 1965. There’s a lot of picky little details about what came on which year of the 63-65 Rivs, and a lot of it is muddied 60 years later by people putting things on their cars that did not come from the factory.
I guess I’m more of a cynic than other posters, but you have a body and paintwork that looks pristine, and a brand new interior, and you don’t do the relatively easy task of installing it? I’m suspicious as to what might have prevented it. The picture isn’t clear enough, but is that a hole in the floorplan beneath where the missing gas pedal would set, or an island of undercoat in the middle of the surface rust? There’s no comment about bodywork or a repaint, and no pics whatsoever of the underside. But at $40K, the lucky buyer will do their due diligence.