Vehicle Description
1965 Buick Riviera GS
Passing over such jewels as "Centurian" and "Drake," product
planners ultimately chose "Riviera," which evoked the elegance of
the Italian and French coastal playground. Of course, it was a name
long familiar at Buick, having been used for the make's pillarless
hardtops since 1949. But it would gain new meaning from the design
on which it would now appear. The intensity Buick had built up in
preparing its competitive presentation continued into its strategy
for marketing the Riviera. Roland Withers, the division's head of
marketing, was a man who did things in grand style. The Riviera
would be crucial to Buick's recovery, and he wanted the car to have
a special image.
For consignment THE " IT" Riviera to have with its hidden
headlights, and this particular 1965 model equipped with the 425
Super Wildcat Engine. The beneficiary of a recent (expensive high
quality) respray and original interior our consigner has put some
effort and money into many recent mechanical overhauls which are
too extensive to list here. Not to mention sporting is
Protect-O-Plate. All very good and all very cool!
Exterior
Sporting a top-notch Root Beer Metallic the respray that is nearly
flawless. And it should be, as this car was owned by an experienced
bodyman who took meticulous care of it. From its raked forward
clamshell hidden headlights, to the clean rocker trim, wheel well
trim, and special badging, side view mirrors, door handles and
bumpers all chrome is in good condition with few faults. The large
steel slabs are straight and true and present with good gaps.
Window trimmings and glass are all excellent and like new. Standard
Buick rally style wheels are on all 4 corners of this car.
Interior
Miles of tan vinyl with some V stitching, buttons and straight tuck
and roll, in the form of large wide buckets in front, and a split
by a V shaped speaker dividing more large buckets on the rear. For
original seats these chairs are in very nice condition. They sport
new seatbelts all around. A jet age styled console sweeps up the
center, has wood grain applique, and houses a glovebox, and a nifty
Seattle space needle style shift lever and knob. This console rises
up to the center of the dash with more V styling and wood applique
where it houses the air circulation controls and Buick radio. The
dash is a combination of black textured vinyl and beige paint. Wood
applique is scattered throughout as well. Carpet is gold and in
very nice clean condition and is covered with carpeted floor mats
with Buick badging embroidery. The headliner is new and tight. One
side note worthy of a mention... Secondary door handles are
strategically placed on the inside rear of each door for speedy
rear seat egress. Also noted on the driver's door some water damage
has been sustained on the wood insert panel.
Drivetrain
The numbers matching 425ci V8 Super Wildcat engine, (casting
#1364704, and stamping numbers 5H909216 LX183), sits within the
original engine bay. Some paint chipping on the blue painted block
and nice patina abound in here. The mill is topped by dual 4-barrel
carbs and backed by a 3-speed automatic ST400 Super-Hydra-matic
transmission. Correct equipment for this car and ready to rumble
under this hood. A 3.42 limited slip rear axle, which was standard
fare, puts the 360hp to the ground.
Undercarriage
A solid sturdy X frame is bordered by rust proofed floor pans, and
solid rockers. The frame has a fine coating of surface rust on it
but remains structurally sound. Very little surface rust is noted
otherwise. Independent coil springs up front and coil springs on
the rear are the suspension. Brakes are power drums all around. A
newer dual exhaust (mufflers) is also installed.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and smooth accelerator there is plenty of power to
get you up to speed in a hurry. The transmission shifted smoothly,
and the ride was very nice and even handled well for a large car.
Buick was not out for the handling mainly the ride, and this car is
exemplary of that fact. The clamshell headlight coverings are
currently inoperable as is the power seat, horn, and the glovebox
is glued shut.
The mid 1960's were the beginnings of the muscle car wars, and this
Buick with its Super Wildcat dual 4bbl V8 is not to be left out of
that battle. Also, the styling on this car gives it real provenance
with mid 60's fans. This car, mostly original, has been well cared
for and sports a beautiful paint job and good chrome. Priced very
right it will not last long... as we've had one other and it went
fast! (sold fast too!).
VIN DECODE
494475H909216
4-Buick
94-Riviera
47-2 Door Hardtop Coupe
5-1965
H-Flint, MI Assy Plant
909216-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
12B-2nd Week December Build
ST 65 49447-1965 Riviera
BDY FB53659-Flint Body #
TRM 629-Saddle Vinyl Buckets
PNT SS-Sahara Mist Poly
ACC EXT4F
E-EZ Eye Glass All
X-Power Windows, Except Vents
T-4 Way Power Seat
4F-Remote Mirror
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.