Needs Finishing: 1963 Buick Riviera

I have always struggled to choose a clear-cut favorite classic from the 1960s. The shortlist features all the usual suspects, including the Pontiac GTO, Ford Mustang, and Pontiac Firebird. However, the First Generation Buick Riviera has always been a strong contender. This 1963 Riviera has a known history and is an unfinished restoration project. The hard work is done, leaving the new owner to add the final touches. The paint sparkles, the interior is stunning, and the V8 under the hood is freshly rebuilt. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Cheetahkins for spotting the Buick listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Mebane, North Carolina. The seller set their price at $30,000, which they claim is a fair figure.

Launched for the 1963 model year, the First Generation Riviera was derived from an experimental design rejected by Cadillac. Buick targeted the Ford Thunderbird as it sought to gain a foothold in the Personal Luxury Car market. Buick deliberately limited its production run to 40,000 vehicles, bringing us to an interesting point to ponder. Ford sold 63,313 Thunderbirds in 1963, which marked a decrease from the previous year’s tally of 78,011. Therefore, it is fair to assume that Buick poached a few sales with its stunning new model. The seller has been the custodian of this Riviera for twenty years, purchasing it from a collector who had stored it in a dry warehouse for twenty-five years. Such a sheltered existence makes its rust-free status unsurprising. The listing suggests it is an unfinished restoration project, and judging by the gleaming Granada Red paint, it hasn’t seen much action since it was repainted. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the trim and glass are excellent. It appears that whatever finishing touches await the new owner, they won’t involve this Buick’s exterior.

The seller’s restoration included an interior retrim in White leather, with a new matching headliner and contrasting Black carpet. The results are stunning, guaranteeing that this Buick receives plenty of positive comments. As with the exterior, the lack of wear suggests the Riviera hasn’t seen much action since the retrim. The only visible flaw is the cracked dashpad. However, that isn’t the end of the world, because reproduction pads retail for around $570. For those preferring authenticity, I easily located a perfect original pad for $495. That would be the final piece of the cosmetic puzzle, while reinstalling the air conditioning would address the only functional shortcoming. As befits a luxury model, the Riviera also features power windows, a power trunk release, a tilt wheel, and a pushbutton radio with a power antenna.

Powering this Riviera is Buick’s 401ci “Nailhead” V8, producing a factory-claimed 325hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque. A two-speed “Turbine Drive’ automatic transmission handles shifting duties, with the car also featuring power steering and power brakes. The power and torque figures delivered by the Riviera are marginally better than owners received from the Thunderbird, but the three-speed automatic in the T-Bird provided a slight performance advantage. The seller states that this car’s numbers-matching V8 and transmission have only clocked around 1,000 miles since being rebuilt, and that they recently fitted a new dual exhaust. They include an embedded video in the listing with the Nailhead running, and it sounds silky smooth. It appears that the simple task of handing the seller some cash will allow the new owner to hit the road for a spot of classic motoring pleasure.

I find writing for Barn Finds enormously rewarding, but there is a potential downside that many readers may not consider. For me, it is perfectly demonstrated by this 1963 Buick Riviera. To put it simply, I want it! However, it joins a growing list of such classics that I would buy under ideal circumstances. I haven’t kept a tally of the classics I would buy if funds were unlimited, but I know that my garage would need to be the size of a typical Shopping Mall Car Park to accommodate them. I know that many readers will be magnetically drawn to this Riviera, but are any of you tempted to pursue it further? I admit that I will envy the buyer, because they will slip behind the wheel of one of my favorite classics.