History

The 1964 Buick Riviera is widely regarded as one of the most iconic designs of the early 1960s, characterized by its distinct styling and powerful performance. Buick introduced the Riviera as a personal luxury car, blending the luxury features Buick was known for with a sporty, high-performance edge. The 1964 model year, the second in Riviera's production, featured refined styling and mechanical improvements that built on the success of the 1963 debut model.

This particular 1964 Buick Riviera embodies the spirit of the original, showcasing its classic coupe styling with sharply defined body lines, hidden headlights, and a long hood that contributed to its aggressive yet elegant appearance. Buick marketed the Riviera as the ideal blend of luxury and performance, making it a favorite among automotive enthusiasts of the era.

Specifications

Engine: 425 cubic inch "Wildcat 465" V8
Horsepower: 340 hp
Torque: 465 lb-ft
Transmission: Super Turbine 400 automatic
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Wheelbase: 117 inches
Length: 208 inches
Width: 76.3 inches
Height: 53 inches
Curb Weight: Approximately 4,200 lbs

Additions and Condition

Exterior: The exterior of this Riviera features a beautifully restored blue metallic paint that accentuates the elegant, sweeping lines of the vehicle. The hidden headlights, a signature feature of the Riviera, are in full working order, adding to the sleek front fascia. The chrome trim and bumpers are in excellent condition, with a polished finish that complements the vibrant paint. The car rides on stylish chrome wire wheels wrapped in classic whitewall tires, enhancing its vintage appeal.

Engine Bay: The engine bay is in pristine condition, featuring the powerful 425 cubic inch "Wildcat 465" V8 engine, which has been meticulously maintained. The engine's distinctive air cleaner, marked with "Wildcat 465," stands out against the clean and organized engine compartment, reflecting the care taken in the vehicle's upkeep.

Interior: Inside, the Riviera offers a luxurious experience with tan leather seats that have been well-preserved, showcasing no significant wear. The dashboard retains its original wood veneer accents, which are in excellent condition. The steering wheel features the Riviera logo, and the original gauges are clear and functional, providing a vintage driving experience. The center console houses the shifter for the Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission, adding to the car's sporty feel.

Additional Features: This Riviera includes factory air conditioning, a rare option for the time, which has been upgraded to modern standards for improved efficiency and comfort. The power windows and power seats are fully functional, making this classic as convenient as it is stylish. The door panels, with wood accents and chrome handles, add to the car's upscale interior design.

Legacy

The 1964 Buick Riviera is a symbol of American luxury and performance, representing Buick's entry into the personal luxury car segment. With its unique combination of style, power, and comfort, the Riviera set a benchmark for what a personal luxury car could be. Today, collectors and enthusiasts appreciate the Riviera for its bold design, powerful V8 engine, and the perfect blend of comfort and performance that it offered. This particular example, with its meticulous restoration and attention to detail, is a testament to the timeless appeal of the Buick Riviera.

History

The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year.

As General Motors' first entry into the personal luxury car market segment, the Riviera was highly praised by automotive journalists upon its high-profile debut. It was a ground-up design on a new GM E platform debuting for the 1963 model year and was also Buick's first unique Riviera model.

Unlike its subsequent GM E platform stablemates, the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado, the Riviera was initially a front engine/rear-wheel drive platform, switching to front-wheel drive starting with the 1979 model year.

While the early models stayed close to their original form, eight subsequent generations varied substantially in size and styling. A total of 1,127,261 Rivieras were produced.

The Riviera name was resurrected for two concept cars that were displayed at auto shows in 2007 and in 2013.

Production Details

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 frame, but shorter and narrower, with a 2.0 in (51 mm) narrower track. Its wheelbase of 117 in (3,000 mm) and overall length of 208 in (5,300 mm) were 6.0 inches (150 mm) and 7.7 in (200 mm) shorter, respectively, than a Buick LeSabre, but slightly longer than a contemporary Thunderbird. At 3,998 lb (1,813 kg), it was about 390 pounds (180 kg) lighter than either. It shared the standard Buick V8 engines, with a displacement of either 401 cu in (6.57 L) or 425 cu in (6.96 L), and the unique continuously variable design twin turbine automatic transmission. Power brakes were standard, using Buick's massive "Al-Fin" (aluminum finned) drums of 12 in (300 mm) diameter. Power steering was standard equipment, with an overall steering ratio of 20.5:1, giving 3.5 turns lock-to-lock.