1963-65 Buick Riviera

Overview

Producing and marketing automobiles in the 1950's and 60's was as exciting as it was unpredictable. The pace was fast and furious, with new styling, features and technology constantly finding their way into production. It all moved so fast that one never knew what the competition was going to unleash. Such was the case in 1958 when Ford took its sporty Thunderbird and reconfigured it into a personal luxury car. Neither Chrysler nor General Motors had anything to compete directly with this new direction in the American world of cars.

Plus	Minus
Design Cabin atmoshpere International appeal Robust mechanicals	Bargain days are over Restoation costs a bit higher than you may be used to in an American car

Market planning at GM was concentrating more on making technologically advanced compact cars with the 1960 introduction of the Corvair, followed in 1961 by the medium priced Buick Special, Oldsmobile Cutlass and Pontiac Tempest. However, after these cars were brought to market (a market in which Ford more than stayed even with the conventional Falcon), the powers that be could not ignore the fact Ford had an uncontested winner with their luxurious T-birds, and there was money to be made in that market.

Initial planning for GM's first personal luxury entry was to bring back an abandoned nameplate, LaSalle. Hopes were that the Cadillac Division would latch onto this car and create something really special. However, plans changed and in late 1961 it was decided that this new car would be given to the Buick Division. Buick had more production capacity, plus a larger and more anxious dealer body waiting to sell and service these new cars. Drawing on a name that had first been attached to Buick's premiere pillarless hardtop convertibles, the new luxury coupe would be christened Riviera.

Released in the fall of 1962 as a 1963 model, the Buick Riviera was an instant success. Mounted on its own 117" wheelbase/platform, the creative genius of GM Vice-President of Styling, Bill Mitchell, was never presented in a more positive light. Depending on a simple, clean form rather than the customary add ons of chrome, the Riviera managed to be both elegant and bold at the same time. Under the hood a standard 401cid V8 delivered 325 horsepower, while an optional 340 horse, 425cid V8 was also available.

To many, this author included, when they first saw the Riviera as a new car, it made them think of Cadillac. Evidently General Motors didn't mind that conclusion, as the prominent front end with two large grilled pontoons and the vee'd egg-crate grille were kept for all three model years. The only major change was placing the headlights behind the outer pontoon grilles in 1965, a design cue that had been planned for the car's introduction but was delayed to due to production and engineering issues.

Offered in just one body style, this luxurious two-door hardtop came standard with such items as power steering and power brakes, heater-defroster, AM radio, and an automatic transmission. The interior was downright sumptuous, with richly appointed bucket seats with a center console (standard), a silver background dash (63 and 64), contrasting woodgrain inserts throughout the cabin, and lots of courtesy lighting. Popular options included air-conditioning, power seat and power window controls and a decor dress-up package which could include full leather seats. Base model prices were in the same range as the competition, $4,333 for the Buick against $4,445 for the base Thunderbird hardtop. While the Riviera didn't come near the luxury Ford's total of 63,313 sales for the 1963 model year, the reported 40,000 units did come close to the T-bird's sales of 42,806 two-door hardtops.

For 1964, the 425 cid V8 became the standard powerplant, and available at extra cost was the Gran Sport edition with a dual four-barrel set-up that delivered 360 horses. The other significant mechanical change was the replacement of the "Turbine Drive" automatic with GM's modern 3-speed automatic. Minor trim changes, (a stand-up hood ornament, a series script replacing the B-U-I-C-K lettering on the rear-deck and revised side trim) made 1964 virtually a continuation of the 1963 model year. Prices rose to $4,385, presumably due to the former optional engine now being standard, while production dipped slightly to 37,958. Over at the Ford camp, Thunderbird had come out in all new sheet metal and even with a near $100 premium in price, sold over 83,000 hardtops alone that model year.

Bringing out the front-end design that Mitchell had originally wanted for the Riviera in 1963, the 1965 models continued the same basic body lines and luxurious appointments. With the headlights concealed behind two vacuum operated doors, this year's Riviera really looked like a custom-built car with lots of pizzazz and luxury. To the rear, the taillights were taken from the rear body panels and placed into the back bumper, while script and trim details were given a slight revision. On the sides, the fake rear brake vents were removed. Inside the dash received a black background, toning things down substantially.

The option list now included AM-FM radio, an improved air-conditioning system, and an new interior decor option. Still popular with many buyers was the 360 horse Gran Sport package which added about $450 to the price tag. The base price for 1965 dropped to $4,318, but so did production, falling about 10% to 34,586.

What to Look For

With a relatively limited number of engine options, the possibility of transplanted engines with higher than factory horsepower is not too likely to happen, so the study of block numbers and smaller details are not as important to collectors of these automobiles as they are with the muscle-car crowd.

What is important here is authenticity and condition. The lower the miles, the more pampering a luxury car has been given, the higher in value it will be in the collector car world. Any collector car benefits from an active club behind it and the Riviera is very lucky in this vein. Helping out thousands of Buick owners from around the world is the Buick Owners Club, and for those looking for nothing but a "Rivi" club, try the Riviera Owners Association. Both of these clubs maintain active websites on the Internet.

Rivieras that have been, or will be, abused are a money-pit. Items such as the fragile trim parts can be hard to find, and repairing mechanical woes may soon clean out even a well-funded restoration budget. When looking at a Riviera that needs a little fixing up, be sure to leave all emotions at the door before considering any example that needs more than minor cosmetic help. There are not a lot of reproduction trim parts available, and NOS and excellect used parts are quite expensive.

The Market

For 1966, Riviera got an entirely new body and the original classic looks were gone, but not forgotten. Almost from the start, those who owned the 109,544 examples produced between 1963 and 1965 cherished and cared for their cars. As a collectible, the Riviera was the first Buick from the 1960s to be recognized by many car clubs and organizations. With the exception of the 1953-54 Skylarks, the early Rivieras are the only Buicks recognized by the Milestone Car Society.

As a result of this interest and enthusiasm, the price of prime examples of these luxury Buicks has never fallen to rock-bottom. In the past few years, a renewed interest in luxury cars from the early 1960s has started to drive prices of all vehicles in this category upward. These Rivieras appreciation has been running ahead of the cruve for the segment in general. Prime, fully optioned examples today can approach the $20,000 mark. Without exception, the more options the better. Working factory air-conditioning, power windows and seats and original decor items are a requirement in the collector market for any top-dollar Riviera.

What does the future hold for these first generation personal luxury Buicks? The Riviera's timeless elegance assures that it will always be one of the more desired models in the collectible personal luxury segment. Its unique and beautiful styling and wonderful cruising capability combine to reign in those looking to bring a little style and indulgence into their hobby. It is a car that when well cared for and maintained, will do you right through your ownership experience and at sale time.

Current Values

(C) Copyright 2002-2019 VMR International, Inc. All rights reserved. This article first appeared in the July 2002 issue of Collector Car & Truck Prices.