Vehicle Description
1963 Buick Riviera
Riviera is a hallowed name in Buick history, and while it was
originally applied to GM's first hardtop version of the 1949
Roadmaster-a sister car to the Cadillac Coupe de Ville and
Oldsmobile 98 Holiday-it came to prominence as its own model for
the 1963 model year. This new car represented General Motors'
design department at the top of its game; it was a clean-sheet
re-imagination of a premium Buick coupe created by stylist Ned
Nickles and his team of designers and modelers, under the careful
direction of vice president of design Bill Mitchell.
For consignment THE Riviera to have with its hidden headlights,
mind you these have been added from a later model but the original
grille and headlamp assemblies come with the car, and styling
swooping lines. The beneficiary of a recent respray and a slew of
mechanical work including a completely new brake system, new AC
system with R12, new shocks, and some new weather stripping just to
begin the list. Read on to learn about America's new bid for a
great new classic car.
Exterior
A luxury car combined with a sports car is the mantra for this 1963
Riviera. Dual headlights, relocated behind those cathedral
horizontal ribbed side lights raked downward and rearward in each
front corner, lets everyone know it is a Riviera. A clean egg crate
grille sits in the center and gives a snarling demeanor to the
front end. At the top of the car, the traditional tri-shield Buick
logo fronts a sculpted hood which flows to like-new glass, bright
stainless trim, satin finish wipers and two chrome trimmed cowl
vents. At the sides of the car, rocker spears combine with wheel
moldings to parallel stylish fender louvers, traditional door
handles, new "Riviera" scripts and awesome Buick mirrors. All dents
and dings from years of use were removed, then repainted in a nice
coating of Marlin Blue. Some inclusions, rust bubbles and overall
waviness is noted on the lower body panels. At the back of the car,
a showroom fresh bumper hangs below the tail lamps with Buick's
famous tri-shield branding and a block BUICK decklid lettering. The
Buick sits on new tires that wrap factory original wire wheel
covers. The gaps are well minded, and it's a turn the key and enjoy
kind of car.
Interior
Showing in dark blue, the door panels make use of vinyl, carpet,
and wood applique, and noted is a double door release on front and
rear of the armrest to make egress easier for the rear passengers
through the two doors. Power window and seat toggles are seen on
this door as well. Sliding inside we arrived in midcentury modern
design heaven. Wide blue vinyl bucket seats with some buttons and
large tufts are near perfect. For the rear, a bench in bucket
format in the rear (central speaker, flat area in center) is noted
and is in excellent condition as well. An angled dash makes use of
brushed aluminum, wood grain applique, and chrome bezels to emulate
the midcentury modern motif on the dash. Starting top dead center
of rear facing angle dash are various slides for airflow controls,
power antenna, and courtesy lights. Just below we note the factory
AM radio hovering just above knobs for the wipers and lighting. The
center console is born out of the dash, and contains the center
mounted automatic shift lever looking much like its inspiration,
the Seattle Space Needle as well as the ash receptacle and a small
storage compartment. Some padded dark blue vinyl tops the dash, and
the bottom and the sides of the lighted center console. Black
carpet, in pristine condition covers the floors and a light blue
tight headliner is above all this 1960's menagerie.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is the numbers matching original but slightly
restored and detailed 401ci Wildcat V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor
on top. All the mechanicals are wonderfully clean and well
preserved, and the use of a red color for the block valve
coverings, intake and air cleaner assembly of this engine are
nicely showing. Bolted to the back is a 2-speed automatic Dynaflow
transmission with a new pan gasket and rear seal. Putting the power
to the ground is a 3.23 geared rear axle. A tune up as well as
fluid changes were recently done to this mill as well as having new
hoses installed.
Undercarriage
Up on the Classic Auto Mall lift, this car shows well underneath
with slight surface rust, and structurally sound undercarriage and
frame. Independent coil springs are on the front and a 4 link with
coil springs is on the rear. Power drum brakes are noted all around
and have been treated to a full redux with new lines, hoses, wheel
and master cylinders, shoes and hardware. The X frame shows slight
surface rust but nothing out of the ordinary. We note new u-joints
for the drive shaft and a stock style dual exhaust system.
Drive-Ability
A great experience and I felt like a million bucks behind this
wheel. You are in a rolling piece of modern art with quick
starting, smooth as silk idle, and driving that is a breeze with
power steering and power brakes. A few frowns crept up during my
drive, those being the heater blower wouldn't blow, the power
antenna did not function, and although the power window mechanisms
have been rebuilt, the passengers rear window only goes up from its
dedicated seating position. Overall, it felt like a large sports
car.
The Riviera is considered to be Bill Mitchell's finest works of art
available on the collector market. Classic Auto Mall is very
fortunate to have this well maintained and wonderfully driving car
for sale here, for you to see and drive, and ultimately be
impressed!
VIN DECODE
7J1040390
7-Riviera
J-1963
1-Flint, MI Assy Plant
040390-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
