Buick added a new product to its portfolio in 1963, a personal luxury car. Called the Riviera, it combined luxury with a nice jolt of performance (401 or 425 cubic inch “Nailhead” V8s). The car rolled into its second year largely unchanged, selling 38,000 copies vs. 40,000 (capped) in its first year. This ’64 edition needs some floor patches but seems to be otherwise solid, and it runs well. It’s a functional project that the seller is unable to finish. Located in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, the Buick is available here on craigslist for $14,000 OBO (USD or CDN?).
Except for Chevrolet, every auto division of General Motors had a personal luxury car by the end of the 1960s. Chevy joined the bandwagon in 1970 with the Monte Carlo. Unlike the Olds Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado, which used front-wheel drive, the others were typical rear-wheel-drive layouts. The Riviera was on the agenda every year through the rest of the Century except for 1994.
We don’t know the history of this 62-year-old-Riviera. The odometer reads 50,000 miles, which suggests it has either been gently used over the years or it flipped over at some point. The color of the paint looks either light blue or grey, depending on the angle, and doesn’t seem to have a lot of its luster left (maybe because all the photos are taken indoors?). Besides the 325 hp V8, the Buick has a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, and we’re told the vehicle runs with no leaks or smoke.
The leather interior presents well enough, but the floor beneath the driver’s feet is weak and needs a patch. So does the trunk. The Buick is registered in British Columbia but isn’t insured, implying it hasn’t been out on the streets in a while. The seller is throwing in some extra parts, though we don’t know what they are. Perhaps you can pick up where the seller left off. Our thanks to “Curvette” for yet another great tip!
It’s a 425 and it has 340 hp not 325..
Hopefully someone brings this Riv back to a beautiful luster.
That’s vinyl upholstery. Leather was dropped for 1964. According to an oooooold article in Collectible Automobile, it was because Buick marketed the Riviera as a premium, limited production automobile in 1963 (the limit was 40,000 units, but it was still a limit), and feared that potential customers were getting the idea that the car was too premium.
“Leather” seems to be generic term these days. I see it used in many classified ads of cars that I know are vinyl. I guess some people don’t know the difference.
People have forgotten what a “Nauga” is. A very common animal.
Why would anyone spend this much money for a car with no A/C?
Maybe they live in Minnesota
cause its a neat car,, are you a whimp??
Almost everywhere in America , you need A.C. in todays market , a car without this vital feature is nigh on un sellable
Long ago a very good friend of mine had a pristine 64. The only thing that it didn’t have was A/C. He bought a wrecked 64 with A/C and transferred the air conditioning to the nice one. Did a meticulous job. I often wonder what happened to that car.
Buy it, drive it a bit, and sell it. Maybe try getting if for less, as it a bit tired in places. This will hold it’s price pretty well, so the risk is limited. The wheels alone are worth good $
Always loved these classic Rivs! The clamshell hidden headlights were awesome!
GM used to build instant classic cars!
I was madly in love with my ’66 500XL 390/4 speed (with a/c) until I got transferred to Pittsburgh in ’68 and had to deal with a daily rush hour commute and hills, hills, and more hills, navigating which I gradually lost my enthusiasm for the 4 speed in my 500XL Ford.
Driving home one day, I passed a Buick dealer with a loaded low mileage ’66 Rivera featured in the used car lot. I quickly hung a U-ie and ended up trading the Ford–4 speed and all– for the Riv, which I still think is the smoothest, most beautiful car I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned a lot of cars…
I was madly in love with my ’66 500XL 390/4 speed (with a/c) until I got transferred to Pittsburgh in ’68 and had to deal with a daily one hour commute and hills, hills, and more hills, navigating which I gradually lost my enthusiasm for the 4 speed in my 500XL Ford.
Driving home one day, I passed a Buick dealer with a loaded low mileage ’66 Rivera featured in the used car lot. I quickly hung a U-ie and ended up trading the Ford–4 speed and all– for the Riv, which I still think is the smoothest, most beautiful car I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned a lot of cars…
nice riv. sounds like it has the typical riv rot. i say 10k or a bit under buys it. the road wheels look good on it
The asking price is in line with Hagerty’s valuation for a #4 car. This car seems a bit better than #4. 14K CDN would be a decent price.
It is odd that although the 63-65 Rivs are universally admired in the old car hobby, that love doesn’t translate to strong sales prices.
Not a muscle car. Not a hot rod. No real big time specialty versions. Not a limited edition, as they made a good number of them.
Just a good looking, classic lines car.
The upside is that if you want one, you can probably get one.
Not a muscle car. Not a hot rod. No real big time specialty versions. Not a limited edition, as they made a good number of them.
Just a good looking, classic lines car.
The upside is that if you want one, you can probably get one.