When I think of the color white, I immediately picture a snowy winter. For car collectors, winter usually means the end of cruising in your classic and the start of winterizing it for spring. A white exterior on a classic car usually doesn’t get me too excited either, since I prefer something eye-popping or an earth tone. But while scrolling through classic car ads online, a gorgeous white beauty caught my eye like no other. This classic is a 1963 Buick Riviera from Plymouth, Massachusetts, and it’s for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,500.
Having owned two Buicks over the years, I joined the local chapter of the Buick Club of America and attended plenty of all-Buick car shows. There were usually plenty of Rivieras spanning all generations, but my favorites were always the first generation from 1963-1965. The fact that the seller’s Riviera is the first year of the run is definitely a highlight for me. The Riviera’s iconic coke bottle styling, created by automotive designer Bill Mitchell, was truly a work of art. The low profile of the Riviera along with its long hood and sharp angles make it stand out from the crowd in any color. In 1963 buyers could choose from among 15 colors and the original owner of this 1963 Riviera for sale chose Arctic White. From the photos provided, the exterior of this Buick looks extremely presentable, and 15″ Rally wheels covering finned drum brakes help give it a sporty look.
Likewise, the interior of this 1963 Riviera also looks to be in great condition with a little wear showing on the driver’s seat and a separation in the headliner. The interior, decked out in Sandalwood vinyl upholstery, gives a nice slight contrast to the exterior paint. As the Riviera was built as a personal luxury car, a center console, power steering and windows are featured in this interior. Although not a selling point for a modern car, the four bucket seats in the Riviera just ooze a sense of coolness.
Under the long hood of the Riviera sits a 401 cubic inch Nailhead V8 producing 325 hp. The seller states the Riviera has 47k miles shown, whether that is original miles or once over the speedometer is up for debate. A two-speed Turbine drive automatic transmission is stated to handle the engine. The ad description notes some mechanical restoration including new brake lines, new fuel lines, exhaust and brakes. This is a car that makes me wish I had a bigger garage as it looks great, and the price seems very reasonable. What do you readers think?
An early Riv is on my bucket list for sure. This one looks great. If it is over 140,000 miles its in fantastic condition. I couldn’t help but notice there’s a belt on the AC compressor, which is always a positive. I agree with Christopher, turquoise or blue would probably be more preferred than white, but even in white, it’s a handsome car. Nice write up Christopher. Thank you. I enjoyed it.
From the look of the engine bay I’d say the odometer is on its first time around. Only negative is the Dyna-Flow 2 speed slush box. But the price is right and it’s already been reduced by 5k. Wouldn’t be surprised if its gone soon.
From the appearance of this & the price, I think it’s a good deal. Of course, it depends on personal inspection & an underside look at least.
Tempting–in Portland, OR and would need to fly to Boston to do personal check out then drive home–however, 9-13.2 mpg might not make it a reasonable trip, wanted one when they were new in ’63, maybe it’s time.
The 1963-65 Riviera just oozes class and this one especially pops regardless if it’s white. This is the kind of car that looks good in almost any color and I can only dream of driving one of these.
You don’t often see a first year one. And this is a pretty sharp car overall. Priced reasonable and looks like really good driving condition.
Been for sale for 5 months, price reduced from $20k to $15,500, looks like a rust spot and some chips in the driver side rear fender, nice trunk and engine compartment.
The brake pedal wear is always a good quick way to get an idea of milage, can’t tell for sure but this appears to have very little wear, my guess is first time around on the odometer
I had to laugh. The glove box door on all these Rivieras has a defective button, and as a result every single one has been pried open. I have never seen a 63-65 Riv (or any full-sized Buick with this dash) where the door isn’t mangled or bent in some way. This one even has a cabinet pull!
Rex, that’s interesting – my stepfathers ’63 didn’t have that issue, but he only had it for a year before he wrecked it…
very nice riv indeed. need to see the bottom though. there like to rot out on the back and the floor pans. a/c car is pretty rare for back then. price seems fair but from other comments sounds like it been on the market for a while. car looks good and you would have lookers at the local cruise for sure.
Very nice Riv!!
In 1963 I was 10 years old. I was a car freak already and drooling over the Stingray. I remember seeing a Riviera and thought it looked cool. BUT, it was a Buick old man’s car. And just dismissed it. I was in college working part time in a NAPA store and had the occasion to ride in my supervisors RIV. He thought that “THE RIV,” was the greatest car ever. I remember being impressed with the car and have since have a minor desire for one.
Beautiful car. My favourite years are the 1963-64 Riviera.
If it was closer I’d take a look. I always liked the look of the early Riviera’s. The boat tail. At that price I’m surprised it is still there.
If there is one generation of Rivieras that I truly love, it’s the first one! I’m not a fan of the clamshell headlights on the ’65, but the shape of the cars is simply beautiful. My stepfather had one (’63 in Turquoise), and it was a nice riding vehicle, until he wrecked it, which seemed to be a theme with him. It also had an interesting history – the car was previously owned by my fathers boss! Talk about awkward! Man, I’d love to own this beauty – someone will definitely be happy to have it!
That was a theme for my father too, wrecking stuff!
Hey Tim, the one your stepfather wrecked, did it look like mine?
Very good price! My first car was a 1965 Buick Riviera which was 10 years old and had only 16,000 miles when purchased. I tried my best to leave it in original condition, but it had to be repainted in the original white color that it was and the AM radio HAD to be replaced with a AM/FM. Loved that car!!!
My favourite Buick, The Riviera from the first generation to the Toad tailed models….classic luxury! Buick has lost it’s lustre since the restyling in the 1980’s and beyond.