The Riviera was designed from its onset to be an exclusive car. In its inaugural model year, Buick limited production to 40,000 units (compared to the 440,000 cars sold overall), accounting for just 9% of the brand’s overall production volume. How many of those 40,000 cars are left? Here’s one.
The Pick of the Day is a 1963 Buick Riviera listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Vancouver, Washington. (Click the link to view the listing)
“This car is one of the nicest all-original (except for one repaint) ’63 Rivieras you will find. It has been babied and meticulously cared for,” the listing states. “The seller’s family has owned it for 31 years.”
The Riviera was classified as a personal luxury car and existed for over 30 years. This example comes from the initial year which was introduced in October 1962 as a 1963 model A two-door hardtop was the only available body style, and underpinnings used the General Motors E-body platform. The “luxury” offerings from this car were vast: Included in the amenities were power windows, an AM/FM radio, a power driver seat, cornering lights, deluxe walnut interior trim, Soft Ray tinted glass, and dual exhaust.
This 60-year-old Riviera’s Marlin Blue paint finish is an older respray, although it still shines up well and the seller rates the quality as an 8 out of 10. The listing states that over $25,000 has been spent on the car over the last five years, and the list of service items is extensive. Even the air conditioning system was overhauled and blows ice cold (a nice perk for any classic car, especially with summertime temperatures on the horizon).
Up front, power comes from a numbers-matching 401cid Nailhead V8. This engine was called a “Wildcat 445,” and was rated at 325 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque – thus the name. The seller states, “It runs and drives exceptionally well. The Dynaflow automatic transmission was completely rebuilt three years ago and performs flawlessly. This car could be driven on a 500-mile road trip at the drop of a hat.”
The listing comes with a comprehensive 65-photo gallery with detailed images both inside and out, along with two YouTube videos for an in-depth tour. You almost don’t need an in-person test-drive!
The seller is asking $39,000 for this Riviera, which is not only a survivor from the original production of 40,000 cars, but also an exceptionally clean one at that.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
What an elegant beautiful car the Riviera is. The 63 to 65 models were the epitomie of a luxurious muscle car competing with the Thunderbird Bullet Birds and the 421 Tri Powered Pontiac 2+2 Grand Prix. I own a 63 Corvettye Coupe and a 63 Thunderbird Sports Roadster and I would love to get a 63 Buick Riviera or a 65 GS Riviera before I expire. This car is a outstanding example of a pristine 63 Riviera.
Hi I am interested in your Riviera but am leaving today for vacation and won’t return until the 29th of May , if it’s still available I live on the West coast
You need to reach out to the seller, who can be reached via the links in the story.
It’s a shame that GM DIDN’T continue this bodystyle and powertrain longer.. This is truly “Personal Luxury ” it’s pimpin’