Please visit www.Survivor-Cars.com for additional photos,
information, and a video. This vehicle is available for viewing in
our Tampa Showroom by appointment only. Please call us to schedule
an appointment.
The production Riviera was introduced on October 4, 1962, as a 1963
model, its distinctive bodyshell was unique to the marque, unusual
for a GM product. The design was substantially the same as the
original, less expensively hidden headlights concealed in the
fender grilles. The elegant ground-up styling sported the new "Coke
bottle look" introduced the year before on the arresting Studebaker
Avanti, with a tapered midsection surrounded by flaring fenders.
There was no trace of the "Sweepspear" used on beltlines of earlier
Buicks with the Riviera package.
It rode a cruciform frame similar to the standard Buick chassis,
but shorter and narrower. It shared the standard Buick V8 engines,
with a displacement 401 cu in (6.6 L) and the unique continuously
variable design twin turbine automatic transmission. Power brakes
were standard, using Buick's massive "Al-Fin" (aluminum finned)
drums with a 12" diameter. Power steering was standard equipment,
with an overall steering ratio of 20.5:1, giving 3.5 turns
lock-to-lock.
The Riviera's suspension used Buick's standard design, with double
wishbones in the front and a live axle located by trailing arms and
a lateral track bar in the rear, but the roll centers were lowered
to reduce body lean. Although its coil springs were actually
slightly softer than other Buicks, the Riviera's lighter weight
made its ride somewhat firmer. While still biased towards
understeer, contemporary testers considered it one of the most
driveable American cars, with an excellent balance of comfort and
agility.
Buick's 325 hp 401 CID "Nailhead" V-8 was initially the only
available engine, fitted with dual exhaust as standard equipment,
and the turbine drive the only transmission.
With the same power as the bigger Buicks and less weight, the
Riviera had improved all-around performance: Motor Trend recorded
0-60 miles per hour in 8 seconds or less, the standing 1/4 mile in
about 16 seconds, and an observed top speed of 115 miles per hour .
Fuel economy was rated at 13.2 mpg!
Inside, the Riviera featured a luxurious four-place cabin with
front bucket seats and bucket-style seats in the rear. A center
console with a floor shifter and storage compartment built into the
instrument panel divided the front. Upholstery choices included
all-vinyl, cloth and vinyl, or optional leather. A deluxe interior
option included real walnut inserts on the doors and below the rear
side windows. Extra-cost options included a tilt steering wheel,
power windows, power driver's seat, air conditioning, a
remote-controlled side-view mirror, and white sidewall tires.
New parts on this Riviera include: Alternator, Body mounts,
Carburetor, Chrome, Complete interior, Disc brake conversion,
Exhaust system, Fuel tank, fuel pump, Hoses, Lifters, push rods,
redone heads (valves, springs, rockers, and rocker shafts), Master
cylinder and booster, Motor mounts/Transmission mounts, Paint,
Plugs, points, wires, rotor, Power steering hoses, Radiator and
clutch fan, Radio and speakers, Rear shoes, Shocks, Tie rod ends,
Trunk carpet, Upper and lower ball joints, Upper and lower control
arm bushings, Vintage A/C and heat unit, Water pump, and Wheels and
tires.
This vehicle is available to view by appointment only. Please call
the office to make an appointment. For additional information on
this and our other classic and collectible cars for sale, please
visit www.Survivor-Cars.com. For assistance, please call or text
the office at 941-845-4461, or email us at
[email protected].
If you are unable to come view the vehicle for yourself, we highly
recommend you send in a third-party inspector on your behalf. We
are located between Tampa and Sarasota. We are 90 minutes from
Orlando and Fort Myers. *Potential purchaser understands it is
their responsibility to verify condition and accuracy of
information when purchasing from Survivor Classic Cars. It is the
sole responsibility of the potential purchaser to inspect the
vehicle, or have a third-party inspection performed on the vehicle
before purchasing. The potential purchaser is relying solely on
their own knowledge and judgement about any vehicle purchased.
