Fantastic ’65 Riv with matching-numbers 401 Nailhead. Long-term ownership history, magazine feature car, beautiful paint, chrome, and recent interior. Loaded with virtually every available option. Runs and drives like it should.
Dressed in its original code Y Bamboo Cream, this ’65 Riviera is simply STUNNING in person. It has a long-term ownership history with just three caretakers over the course of its life, including the first owner who kept it until 1991. Today it remains in fantastic condition throughout, with that 1990s repaint holding up exceptionally well—it must have been a very expensive paint job. There are no cracks, no fading, and very few signs of use, and it was obviously a full disassembly job because there are no tape marks and no overspray. There is no evidence of rust or rot anywhere on the car, no patches, no repairs, no wavy bondo work, just clean original sheetmetal that has always been treated with respect.. The ’65s, of course, finally featured the “clamshell” headlights that were part of the intended design from the start, and thanks to a new motor, they work properly. Detailing is exquisite, with fresh chrome on both bumpers, an excellent grille, and no pitting on the pot metal pieces like the headlight covers and taillights.
Recently it received new black vinyl upholstery that looks great. New carpets were installed at the same time, but the door panels, console, dash pad, and headliner all appear to be original and in fantastic condition. That should tell you all you need to know about how well-maintained this car really is. Better yet, this Riviera is LOADED with just about every available option: power windows, power seat, power antenna, rear defroster, cruise control, tilt wheel, Sonomatic AM radio, rear seat door latches, remote trunk release, and a speed minder system. This car also includes rear seat belts, which, remarkably enough, were optional in 1965. Everything works except the clock, which wants to work but gives up after a few hours—probably just lubrication. The wood veneers on the doors and center console are in excellent condition, the chrome shines, and all the courtesy lights come on when you open the doors. In back, you’ll find a freshly restored trunk compartment with proper tan sisal mats and a matching spare tire cover, plus a correct jack assembly.
Buick’s “Nailhead” V8 is legendary, and by 1965 it was an absolute torque factory. This is the base engine, but that’s like saying Batman is the weakest superhero—with a towering 445 pounds of torque as advertised on the air cleaner, it makes the massive Riv feel much lighter on its feet than you’d expect. This is the car’s original, numbers-matching engine, as verified by a VIN stamp on the block, and it was reportedly rebuilt in the early 2000s by the previous owner before his death. It runs superbly, starting quickly with a single push of the throttle and turn of the key, and settling into an easy, smooth idle with enough of a burble to let you know this isn’t a garden-variety car. It was also painted in correct Buick Green engine paint and wears accessory finned valve covers that add a little brightwork to the engine bay. It’s very authentic, with no questionable modifications or sketchy service work in its past. Oh, and yes, the optional 4-note horns sound like a freight train coming through—don’t use them when people are under the hood, you’ll make their ears bleed.
There’s more big news underneath, where the 1965 Rivieras received the all-new TH400 3-speed automatic transmission in place of the old Dynaflow and Hydra-Matic units used previously. With 3.23 gears in a housing big enough for a dump truck, it’s an effortlessly high-speed cruiser that eats up highway miles without working hard, and the ride is as luxurious as you’d expect. No, this is not a sports car. It is competent, secure, and with those oversized aluminum drums, braking is impressive—who needs discs? Please note that the undercarriage is mostly original, so it isn’t shiny and perfect, but it’s quite clean and there’s no evidence that this car ever spent time in winter weather. There’s also a recent stainless steel exhaust system that sounds just about right, using small mufflers up front and a correct transverse muffler in back. There’s also a new gas tank, recent shocks, new front springs, and many other service items that make it ready to drive. It wears correct Buick Road Wheels wrapped in recent 225/75/15 whitewall radials.
Documentation is pretty good, including the original manuals, warranty booklet with Protect-O-Plate, a “Special Interest Autos” magazine where the car was featured, and several other publications where this car has been shown. This is apparently a very popular car for magazine editors!
The days of being able to pick up a good early Riv like this for pennies on the dollar are fast drawing to a close. That’s both good and bad, but if you want one, now is probably the time to act—they won’t be getting any cheaper. This Riv is exceptional in all the ways that matter and drives beautifully. If you’ve been waiting to treat yourself to a special car, there’s a very strong argument to be made in favor of this stunning yellow Riviera. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
