Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present a great daily driving
example of this mostly all original and stock 1965 Buick Riviera
with the highly desirable 'Gran Sport' Performance Group with its
original matching #'S 425/360HP 2 x 4V (LX Code) V8 Super Wildcat
engine with it's original 'Champagne Mist' factory (color code T)
paint and with its all original 'Fawn' factory cloth interior,
original 'BS' code 'Super Turbine 400' 3 speed automatic
transmission and loaded with original Gran Sport options of dual
exhausts, Positraction rear end, performance gearing and factory
options of bucket seats, center console with floor shifter, air
conditioning (Cost $421), power steering, power driver seat (Cost
$74), power brakes, power windows (Cost $110), power antenna, tilt
steering wheel and original AM 'Sonomatic' Buick radio with rear
speaker!The car was repainted once in its very striking original
factory 'Champagne Mist' color paint with it's original factory
'Fawn' (Trim code 613) bucket seats and its completely all original
interior with center console and floor shifter and original styled
steel wheels. The car has its original factory 'Fawn' cloth
interior which is in excellent and mostly completely original
condition throughout apart from the headliner and carpet.
Everything under the hood is seemingly original apart from a new
fuel filter and the battery with the dashboard woodwork, the
dashboard itself, and all the seats are in good condition
throughout! The trunk lining has been replaced with carpet with the
original spare wheel and jack located in their rightful place in
the trunk. Please note the air conditioning, heater and clam shell
lights are not working and the car will therefore be needing some
further work by its next owners.The original matching #
425cid/360HP 2 x 4 barrel 'LX' code engine is strong and powerful
and this particular car drives very well - drives straight as an
arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles. The car has
it's original 425/360HP V8 engine and Carter AFB dual quad carbs
(3645 front, 3925 rear), original BS code transmission, original
Positraction rear end, and was sold with factory air conditioning,
power windows, power driver seat, power steering, cruise control,
all new correct GS dual exhausts and it's original 'Buick' AM/FM
radio with a power antenna.We acquired the car from it's long time
previous owner, an elderly gentleman who had owned the car for many
years and which had reportedly been sitting in his garage for some
twenty + years previously. We completed over $15K in mechanics to
get the car running including have restored the gas tank, replaced
all window motors, replaced all wheel cylinders and master
cylinder, replaced all brake hoses, repacked front wheel bearings
amp; install new seals, remove amp; replace radiator amp; heater
hoses, replace thermostat, most fuel lines, added a new fuel pump
and sending unit, new rear springs/shocks, replaced voltage
regulator, replaced fuse box amp; wiring, tuned up amp; replaced
rotor caps, timing, plugs etc, all new door and roof rail seals,
new battery, reconditioned the original brake drums, repair
transmission cooler lines, and rebuilt the AFB carbs to have the
car in good running condition prior to sale. The car has 4 new
white wall BFG tires and the compression tested with positive
average 160 psi on all 8 cylinders, we replaced all the plugs,
adjusted the timing and points, and cleaned and further adjusted
the original carbs to ensure as smooth and precise running as
possible. Also obviously all fluids were changed including oil and
filter.A car for Buick's most affluent customers, known as the
'bankers' car, the 1963-65 Buick Riviera reflected the styling
supremo of Bill Mitchell with a masterful blend of curves and
razor-edges respected by an army of industrial designers as an
architectural landmark of the U.S industry and which has high
repute amongst collectors for both it's beautiful lines and smooth
fast performance for a luxury coupe. "One of the most beautiful
cars America ever built" as stated by none other than Sergio
Pininfarina of Ferrari design fame at it's debut at the Paris auto
show in 1963. This landmark design of 1963-64 would continue for
only two years until 1964 before the hidden headlight change in
1965.But it wasn't until the arrival of the 1965 Gran Sport that
the truly sporty side of this sports car revealed itself. The 'GS'
had the gorgeous looks of the Riviera combined with the heart of a
true muscle car! Unlike other Buick's, including the youth
orientated Wildcat, the Riviera GS came with just one engine and
transmission combination. Powering the GS was a potent 425 cid V8
with a 10.25:1 compression ratio. The engine produced 360 HP at
4400 rpm and 465 lbs ft of torque at 200 rpm. It put out .84 hp per
c.i., very close to the legendary 1:1 ratio of Chrysler 300's and
Corvettes. Hooked up to the 425 was the latest GM three speed
Hydra-Matic which in 1965 'Car amp; Driver' called "without
question, the best automatic transmission in the world!"The Riviera
GS had dual four barrel Carter AFB carbs, a dual exhaust system
with large diameter pipes and bright metal engine accents including
a large chrome plated air cleaner with polished ribbed valve
covers! Full wheel covers and Gran Sport lettering below the
Riviera script on the deck lid and front fenders helped set the car
apart visually. A true Grand Tourer, the GS had a top speed of
123mph and 'Car amp; Driver' reported a 7.2 second 0-60 time and an
even better quarter mile run. In muscle car fashion the GS package
also included a heavier front anti-roll bar than the standard
Riviera, stiffer shock absorbers, stiffer springs at all four
wheels, stiffer bushings in the rear suspension and a higher
capacity exhaust system with a beautiful sounding V8 rumble.This,
therefore, is one very rare and highly desirable and collectible
example of one of the outstanding GM designs of the sixties with
the 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport being the most desirable of the
1963-65 Riviera series and the top-of-the-line Buick for its year!
1965 was the only year with the concealed ribbed 'Clamshell
Headlights' and a restyled rear bumper with inserted tail lights
and offered for the first time on a Rivera for $91.38, the popular
chrome Buick road wheels with painted charcoal inserts first
introduced on the '64 Wildcat. Contributing to the cleaner look was
the removal of the non-functioning side scoops. The 1965 model also
enjoys high repute amongst collectors for both it's beautiful lines
and super smooth and fast performance for a luxury coupe and with
this model's very rare and highly desirable options of bucket
seats, center console with a floor shifter, power windows, power
driver seat and air conditioning, this is indeed one extremely
desirable example of a 1965 Buick Riviera with the rare Gran Sport
option with the Super Wildcat 425/360HP engine!In summary, this is
one exceptionally rare surviving example of a very original and an
increasingly desirable and collectible 1965 Buick Riviera Gran
Sport with it's original matching #'s powerful 425/360HP V8 engine!
The car will need some further work to bring it to the next level
for sure but it remains a sure-fire investment that's sure to
appreciate over the years for any classic American sixties car
collector or simply any Buick enthusiast!
