I have, at times, been described as an automotive elitist or a snob because I have stated that I prefer my classics original and unmolested. However, I have also never hidden the fact that I love Hot Rods and that I admire well-executed custom builds. That brings us to this 1963 Buick Riviera. Owning a pristine example is a dream I have long harbored, but our feature car doesn’t tick that box. Instead, it is loaded with changes that prove that even though someone might be capable of performing a custom build, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. The seller claims that it is essentially complete and that it is solid. One thing seems certain, and that is that the winning bidder could take it home without spending a fortune. The seller has listed the Riviera here on eBay in River Rouge, Michigan. They set their No Reserve auction to open at $1,500, but there have been no bids at the time of writing.

Buick released the First Generation Riviera for the 1963 model year as its entry into the Personal Luxury Car sector. Its styling immediately drew praise from motoring journalists and potential buyers, with the company limiting first-year production to 40,000 to ensure exclusivity. Our feature Riviera is from that year and, while it is hard to believe, the first owner ordered it in beautiful Code A Regal Black. It is unclear when it underwent the color change to its current Blue and Silver, but it is safe to assume this happened when the builder added the custom body touches. These include a less-than-subtle hood scoop, rear sheetmetal changes to accommodate custom taillights, different bumpers at both ends, and modifications to the front fender leading edges and the grille. I’m not sure what look they were aiming for, but I think they missed it! The good news is that these are all reversible if the buyer chooses a faithful restoration path. Even if the new owner approves of the car in its current form, it appears the work quality might be second-rate. That would be enough to motivate me to strip it all away to ensure there are no nasty surprises hidden below the surface. Speaking of which, the seller describes this Riviera as solid, emphasizing the floors in their description. However, penetrating rust is visible in some interior shots, making me wonder what an in-person inspection might reveal. The unmodified sections of sheetmetal look quite straight, and the glass looks acceptable for a driver-grade build.

The mysteries with this Riviera continue when we lift the hood. The seller was told that the V8 occupying the engine bay is a 401ci, which sounds right if the car is mechanically original. Buick teamed the 401 with a two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission, with power-assisted steering and brakes as standard equipment. The 401 generated 325hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque in its prime and, although not as fast as Ford’s Thunderbird, it kept the Blue Oval model honest. The seller doesn’t indicate whether this Buick is numbers-matching, nor when it last saw active service. The lack of components like a carburetor and plug wires makes it a no-brainer that it doesn’t start or run, and it is unclear whether the engine even turns. Life is full of mysteries, and this is one of them.

Buick didn’t limit its styling efforts to the beautiful exterior, with the 1963 Riviera possessing an interior guaranteeing that every journey felt like a special occasion. Bucket seats, a center console that swept down from the lower dash edge, and areas of timber trim were all standard features. From there, buyers could load the car with air conditioning, power windows, a power driver’s seat, a pushbutton radio, a tilt wheel, and a remote exterior mirror. Our feature car only scores a tilt wheel and radio from that list and also appears to be missing many parts. They might be hidden in the trunk, but the buyer’s shopping list may include such major items as the front seats and the console. If that proves the case, the cost of this build will escalate quite dramatically.

I have long considered the First Generation Buick Riviera to be one of the most beautiful cars to roll off an American production line during the 1960s. Buick hit a sweet spot with the styling, creating a worthy competitor to Ford’s iconic Thunderbird. That this 1963 Riviera has received no bids is unsurprising, because returning it to its former glory will be no small undertaking. However, twelve people have added it to their Watch List, and the listing has received 300 views in the past day. It is impossible to say whether these people are genuinely interested, or whether the figures represent some form of morbid curiosity. What is worth considering is that every change made is reversible and, if the new owner is hands-on, doing so won’t cost a fortune. Is this a project that you would consider tackling, or will you sit this dance out?