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Vehicle Description
In 1953, GM introduced the Corvette as the first pure sports car to
come from a Big Three manufacturer in the post-war era. Two years
later, Ford responded with the Thunderbird, which shared the
Corvette's two-seat roadster layout but prioritized style over
outright performance. Buyers responded by snapping up thousands of
Thunderbirds while the Corvette teetered on the brink of
cancellation due to lagging sales. The Corvette survived, of
course, but in 1958, GM found themselves on the sidelines as the
T-Bird evolved from a sporty 2-seater into a stylish four-seat
"personal luxury car," and sales skyrocketed. General Motors was
forced back to the drawing board and began the development of a
two-door, four-seat personal luxury car to take on the Thunderbird.
While on a trip to London, GM's styling chief at the time, Bill
Mitchell, found inspiration among the coachbuilt Rolls-Royces he
saw, particularly the razors-edge panel transitions where soft
lines intersected with a subtle crease. When he returned to
Detroit, he charged his team to create a fresh and modern concept
incorporating key elements of the Rolls-Royce style, but in an
entirely new design to suit American tastes. The first glimpse of
the car's shape appeared on the GM XP-715 show car, designed by Ned
Nickles and originally pitched to Cadillac as a revival of the
LaSalle name. Cadillac passed on the opportunity, so Buick swept
in, eager to revitalize its stagnant image. Under the Buick
umbrella, the XP-715 evolved into the Riviera, a name previously
applied to high-level trim packages on specific models. The
striking Coke-bottle profile was noticeably devoid of the
superfluous chrome trim and fussy detailing that defined the 1950s.
The flowing beltline intersected with sharply creased panel
transitions, with a perfectly proportioned roofline and no central
B pillar to spoil the lines. The distinct egg-crate grille and
scoops in the quarters lent a sporty and purposeful appearance,
while the optional 425 cubic-inch, 340-horsepower OHV V8 provided
ample thrust. For a base price of $4,333, customers got a host of
standard features as well as an impressive list of luxury and
performance options. Not surprisingly, Buick's gorgeous new Riviera
was a hit with buyers and was considered an instant classic among
car enthusiasts. Sophisticated and stylish, the Riviera saw only
minor changes in the first three years of production, and many
enthusiasts and industry experts consider these first-generation
cars as the most elegant and beautiful production American cars of
the modern era. This 1964 Riviera is a great example of Buick's
iconic grand tourer, presented in its original color scheme of
Bronze Mist over Saddle trim. This Riviera is a good original car
that features numerous desirable options including factory air
conditioning, power steering, power brakes, rear bucket seats, and
electric windows. Paintwork (code S, per the trim tag) is
attractive all around, with some imperfections noted on inspection.
One of the most distinctive features of the Riviera is the car's
relative lack of fussy chrome trim, the designers utilizing
thin-line trim to highlight the sophisticated shape. This car has
sound and attractive brightwork overall. Some fading is noted on
the headlamp bezels along with light patina on minor chrome parts.
It sits nicely on the road, rolling on factory steel wheels shod
with chrome wire wheel covers and whitewall radial tires. Luxury
and style continue inside the four-place cabin, which features
bucket seats in the front and rear, with aircraft-inspired controls
and details. The seat upholstery is in good condition, and the
carpets and door panels are in fine fettle, as is the delicate wood
veneer on the console. Controls, instruments, and switches look to
be in good original condition, all appearing in tidy order. A
period-correct Sonomatic radio sits in the dash above controls for
the factory-fitted air conditioning (code N2 on the trim tag), and
other equipment includes power windows and a remote trunk release.
Driving the Riviera is a joy, thanks to the effortless power from
the single four-barrel-equipped 425 cubic-inch Wildcat V8,
automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Rated for
340 horsepower, the 425 is the ultimate development of Buick's
Nailhead overhead-valve engine. The "Wildcat 465" air cleaner decal
reflects the peak torque rating of 465 lb-ft for the single carb
version. This car features a slightly later block from a 1965
model, and it is well-presented in the tidy engine bay, with the
block and heads finished in proper Buick light blue and with
authentic detailing. Design experts, car enthusiasts, and
journalists consistently rank the first-generation Buick Riviera as
one of the finest designs to come out of Detroit in the 1960s. It
is also a marvelous car to drive thanks to that powerful V8 and
luxurious, well-appointed cabin. This lovely driver quality example
reflects that view with its attractive presentation and usable,
road-ready character. It is ideally suited for regular enjoyment in
club events or simply for casual weekend cruising, with power,
luxury, and sophistication to spare. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6683-1964-buick-riviera-coupe/
