Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional
example of this mostly all original and completely rust free 1963
Buick Riviera coupe with its original and highly desirable matching
#'s 401/325HP 4 barrel 'JT' code 'Wildcat' engine finished in its
original and very striking 'Desert Sand' color (R Code) paint with
a deluxe interior of it's original 'Saddle' color leather (Trim
code 798 ) front and rear bucket seats, (an option which Buick
discontinued after 1963 as the leather seats had not proved too
popular!), with a center console and console mounted transmission
with a twin turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission, heater and
defroster, smoking set with rear seat ashtrays, power steering,
power brakes, electric clock, map light, automatic trunk light,
lined luggage compartment, deep pile carpeting, dual exhausts, dual
speed wipers with washers, deluxe steering wheel, deluxe wheel
covers, backup lights and loaded with virtually every conceivable
factory option apart from cruise control; added factory options
include a deluxe 'Custom Leather' interior (as opposed to the
'Standard' or 'Custom Fabric/Vinyl Trim' option) with upgraded and
distinctive appointments such as full length armrests and door
latches for rear passengers, a wood veneer panel running the length
of the door and quarter trim panels and with both front door panels
featuring a round ornament with black background mounted in the
center of the wood veneer with the name 'Riviera' appearing in
script, air conditioning, soft-ray tinted glass, tilt wheel, power
windows, rare automatic headlight on/off twilight sentinel, rare
and desirable and awesome sounding dual trumpet horns mounted under
the hood, very rare factory AM radio with power antenna and the
very desirable optional wire wheel hubcaps! This is one mighty rare
example with virtually every possible factory available options
except power vent windows, cruise control amp; the rear window
defroster!This is a beautiful example of a rare and very early
production model car as evidenced from later production models by
the smooth satin finish in the metal instrument panel and along to
the glove compartment door, whereas the later models, after
November 1962, featured a ribbed metal panel in a blatant copy of
its rival the Thunderbird from Ford with its ribbed anodized
aluminum trim on the console and side trim panels. It is also of
note that these early model cars used a 120 mph speedometer, which
was taken from the Electra, which was later replaced with a 140 mph
unit unique to the Riviera. Also, the spare wheel was initially
placed in the well of the trunk compartment which wasted space and
made it difficult to load and unload items around it and this was
later moved forward and mounted over the rear axle to provide more
usable space. At the same time the rear view mirror on the drivers
side was also moved forward, towards the front of the car to
improve visibility. These differences make it easy to determine
that this is indeed one of these very early and very desirable
production models built prior to November 1962.All 1963 models were
also unique from later models with the Buick TriShield button
featuring a black background used as a hood ornament and also on
the wheel covers and tail light lenses too, in 1964 a stylized 'R'
emblem would replace these areas instead. 1963 was also the only
year that the heater/defroster and optional air conditioning
controls would be suspended under the center of the instrument
panel pad. The design created a somewhat confusing array of push
and pull control levers to direct air flow where desired and a
simpler design appeared for 1964/5. Also it is of note that Buick
pioneered another industry first with the Riviera in 1963 - flush
glass! This was a unique new design in which the windscreen and
rear window were sealed directly to the body allowing the glass to
fit flush and thereby eliminating the bulky metal and rubber
framework required on other automobiles! As previously stated, this
particular example also boasts its original matching numbers
401/325HP JT code engine and transmission. The floor boards, trunk
and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and
rust-free and the car has no signs of any accidents or previous
rust of any kind. The car car has obviously always been garaged and
looks extremely impressive with one very decent re-paint in it's
original factory 'Desert Sand' color paint and the deluxe 'Saddle'
leather interior with deluxe Custom factory trim is also absolutely
gorgeous. All the chromework is also in exceptional condition, as
is all the weather stripping and seals and the car's spare wheel
and jack is located in its correct place in the trunk.The original
matching #'s 401/325HP JT code 'Wildcat' engine is extremely strong
and powerful and this particular car drives absolutely
magnificently - must be driven to be believed - drives straight as
an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly
remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day sports car a
run for it's money! The transmission shifts smoothly through all
the gears and the temperature always remains cool!This is a rare
opportunity to own a beautiful and great daily driving and
obviously never abused example of an always rust free 1963 Buick
Riviera in exceptional condition throughout and one highly
desirable and very collectible example of one of the early year
cars, a pre November1962 production model, this was one of the
outstanding GM designs of the sixties, reflecting the styling
supremo of Bill Mitchell with a masterful blend of curves and
razor-edges, dubbed the anti-Thunderbird and 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 would
continue for only two years until 1964 before a hidden headlight
change in 1965, making these two particular years of 1963/4 the
most collectible and desirable and with the original early '63
models holding the lead in collector preference amongst most
enthusiasts, but with all these 63-65 model cars boasting
'Milestone Car' status.Performance was an important consideration
in the personal luxury car market in the early sixties and the
Riviera's power source was the 401 cubic inch 'Wildcat 445' V8
engine with 325 horsepower at 4400 rpm. It developed 445 lbs of
torque at 2800 rpm, hence the '455' Wildcat script on the air
cleaner. An optional engine bored out 425 cubic inch 'Wildcat 465'
produced an impressive 340 horses at 4400 rpm and 465 lbs ft of
torque at 2800 rpm. The 1963 engines were painted silver, the only
time this color would be used by Buick and they featured an over
sized air cleaner painted in 'Wrinkle Red'!In summary, this is one
great very collectible and very rare all American classic car in
turn-key ready to enjoy today condition - a mostly all original car
with no rust ever and obviously always garaged since new - perfect
for the Buick enthusiast and a sure-fire investment that's sure to
appreciate over the years for any classic American sixties car
collector!
