Vehicle Description
The 1963 Buick Riviera was a ground-breaking car. It was one of the
first of GM's "personal" cars designed for executives with a thirst
for performance, and it broke with tradition by eliminating fender
skirts, tailfins, and eschewing chrome. The result is one of the
most timeless and highly acclaimed cars of the '60s, and what many
consider to be the 'first muscle car'. Regardless of its standing
in automotive history, the '63 Riv is a very special car today, and
this gorgeous Marlin Blue example is one of the nicer examples
we've ever had the fortune to feature. With a slick paint job,
comfortable bucket seat interior, factory A/C, and a numbers
matching 401 V8 Nailhead under the hood, this Riv is dialed-in
classic that will not last long, so read fast...
Finished in its original code F Marlin Blue paint, this handsome
Riviera shows you why these cars are quickly growing in popularity
among collectors. By the looks of things, this beauty has never
been wrecked or badly abused in its lifetime, and it's still
wearing its OEM sheetmetal throughout, showing off that crisply
folded shape of the Riviera that still looks fantastic 50 years
later. The car was repainted to a top driver-quality standard,
probably even better than that when it was first finished, and it
shows incredibly well today with a deep luster, bright shine, and
smooth uniformity front to back. Sure, there are a couple signs of
use, although nothing beyond a couple of nicks and minor
imperfections and most of which could be easily remedied with a
quality buff-and-polish. There are signs of quality workmanship
here, too, with great panel gaps and flat panels that are as
dramatic today as they were back in the early '60s. The color has a
lovely soft glow that looks entirely appropriate on a car born in
1963, and it's a perfect complement to the dramatic styling of this
iconic car - with its unique European-style front grille, the
sculpted 'gills' at the front of the quarters, and the sharpy
angled rear end punctuated with those wonderfully ornate
taillights. There isn't a lot of chrome on a Riviera, but the front
and rear bumpers look great, the brightwork around the glass and
wheel wells blings up nicely, and the distinctive pods at the front
edges of the fenders (which were supposed to carry the headlights
from day one) are in good original condition, too. Even today, the
car whispers to you about performance and luxury without being
obvious about it. Nice!
The gentleman's express theme continues inside, where comfortable
blue vinyl buckets straddle one of the most beautiful center
consoles ever devised. In fact, even the gauges seem to have been
inspired by fine watches of the era, with delicate stainless and
aluminum trim and slender needles on the instruments. Eyeball vents
for the A/C, the slender chrome shifter handle, and the two-tone
steering wheel add to the upscale opulence that was also
cutting-edge fashion in 1963. If you ever want to feel like Don
Draper, get behind the wheel of one of these beauties and watch
your confidence start to grow. The upholstery is in great original
condition (the seats are either wonderfully preserved originals or
old NOS restorations that have held up very well), showing only a
tiny bit of wear that's entirely in line with its age and somehow,
it's even more appealing with a few of those minor 'comfort' marks.
Even the unique split rear bench looks inviting for a quick cruise,
and the matching door panels envelope the passengers in a sea of
that inviting blue and bright chrome accents. Options include
factory A/C (needs service), courtesy lights, and an original
Sonomatic Delco All-Transistor AM radio tucked in right under the
aircraft-inspired HVAC controls. This is unquestionably one of the
most handsome interiors of the era, from the headliner above to the
plush carpets below, and you can't argue with that great color
combination. Even the trunk is nicely finished with clean
spatter-paint, a reproduction mat, and a full-sized spare.
Power comes from Buick's legendary 401 cubic inch "Nailhead" V8,
famous for its effortless torque production. With a lifetime of
clean living in a warm climate and a recent detail, the engine bay
is nicely presented and everything functions properly, although
it's not detailed for show, which is perfectly fine for us when
you're talking about a numbers-matching unit. The original 'Wildcat
445' decals have been removed from the bright red air cleaner, but
nevertheless they would denote the torque output of the engine, and
it's no joke because this sucker steps off with authority! Power
steering and power brakes were standard equipment in the Riviera,
and the shortened chassis gave it lively handling and the fantastic
road manners of a full-sized luxury car. A twin-turbine automatic
transmission (think: DynaFlow) shifts imperceptibly, and the
chassis is as tidy and solid as the engine bay. A recent dual
exhaust system gives it just the right tone of voice, and upgraded
275/35/15 Hankook whitewall radials on the original steel wheels
with bright Buick Motor Division wheel covers are just as the
factory intended.
Take note, Buick collectors, the early Rivieras have almost doubled
in value over the past 10 years, and the trend continues. This car
offers a brilliant color combination, great originality, and
ready-to-enjoy functionality. Call today!
