Buick introduced the Riviera in 1963. Some say it was General Motors’ first entry into the personal car market, though the Pontiac Grand Prix debuted in 1962. Though Oldsmobile (Toronado) and Cadillac (Eldorado) would later also use its E-platform, it was a rear-wheel drive set-up while those two ventured into front-wheel drive. This first-year Riviera is a project that needs completion and probably has been waiting for some time. Located in Redding, California, this” Nailhead” V8-powered Buick is available here on eBay. The current bid is just $920, and the seller has set a reserve.
First-generation Riviera’s were in production from 1963 to 1965. Buick held back on the numbers built to make them “exclusive” but how exclusive is a car that saw 40,000 copies made in its first outing? You had your choice of either a 401 or 425 cubic inch engine in the first year, but most were equipped with the former that produced 325 hp. The seller is unsure which motor is in this car or if it’s even original to the machine. Only one transmission was offered, a turbine-drive automatic. By the way, these Buick engines got their Nailhead nickname with gearheads for the valve placement on the intake manifold side of the combustion chamber.
The seller is either a comedian of sorts or is talking about a different car than the one pictured. For example, this 1963 Buick Riviera is said to be a “true original that has been kept in excellent condition by its owner.” Or “only has 1,234 miles on the odometer.” What’s pictured is a rough and incomplete vehicle that’s going to take a lot of work to get up to snuff again. The interior especially needs some love, but it’s hard to tell by all the stuff piled inside.
This is a non-running car that was likely once a stunning automobile. But the passage of time and a lack of attention have changed things, but rust doesn’t seem to be a severe problem. While it may be “a piece of automotive history” as the seller suggests, whipping this one into shape is going to take a lot of weekends. You’ll at least need four tires that hold air just to load the Buick onto a trailer. But if the reserve isn’t too high, perhaps this auto could help another Riviera get back on the road.
Good luck Mr. deep pockets
If you were serious about owning a 63-64 Riviera, this would not be the car to buy. There is a very nice 64 in white on FB Marketplace with good photos for 24K. THAT would be the car to buy if you really wanted one of these. And who wouldn’t?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/6767773639999382/
My first and favorite slot car, a red 1963 Riviera.
I had a Riviera Motorific car. Remember those?
No, I don’t, but I can’t even remember the brand of my slot car. Not a Tyco, but it was the most popular brand at the time.
I live in Arizona, and it is amazing how many of these early Rivvy’s I have seen over the years sitting out behind barns and whatnot, sinking into the dirt. Wish I could have saved them all, or even one of them.
I remember having a 63 Chevy Motorific car too. My set had that 63 Chevy and the Riviera in the set. I think the set had a jump in it, too many brain cells ago. My slot car set was made my Eldon out of Hawthorne, CA.
I still have my Motorific Torture Track Set! I had the Lincoln Continental and a Stingray! Hours and hours of fun!
Called an Aurora T-jet
Aurora Thunderjet slot car
What happened to the passenger door?? And that air cleaner?
…and the center spinners on all 4 wheels. Those are hard to come by…
Re: the Nailhead comment.
The valves are arranged just like all contemporary V8’s of the day. The difference is the angle used (the stems were tilted to near vertical) which facilitated the placement of the spark plug much closer to the center of the combustion chamber. The goal being a faster burning of the fuel/air charge. Using that unconventional angle for the valves required very long stems, which is why they were called nailheads. The valves resembled nails.
Thank you for the comment . That and the fact that the valve diameter was relatively small, making them resemble nails.
Which, incidentally, was what significantly increased the torque of the Buick “nail heads”
“…another Riviera get back on the road…”
’63/5 ? YES !
forged da rest.
Havent read the text but my bet? the seller is using irony