The first-generation of Buick’s Riviera coupe series is considered by many to be a styling icon of the 1960s and one of the best creations made under the tenure of legendary GM head designer, Bill Mitchell, who had replaced Harley Earl in 1958.
General Motors launched the razor-sharp Riviera onto the market in late 1962 (as a 1963 model) to take on the wildly successful Ford Thunderbird, which it managed to compete but never surpass in sales.
As typical of the time, each year brought several design changes to the original body. This particular example found on eBay is from 1965, which was the last year for the first generation Riviera.
The most important styling changes brought over from the 1963 model include the concealed, vertically stacked headlamps with electrically operated clamshell doors, the removal of the fake side scoop trims and the new tail lamps that are incorporated into the chrome bumper, all of which manage to give the Riviera a sharper and cleaner look than the original model.
This completely restored example on eBay is finished in a Ginger Moon Dust hue and comes equipped with Buick’s 445 Wildcat engine that’s a 325HP version of the 401 cu.in. (6.6-liters) Nailhead V8 that took its name from the 445 lb-ft (603 Nm) of torque it produced. The seller says that it has only travelled 59,212 miles (95,213 kilometers) since new.
At the time this piece was published, the highest bid was $15,000 (~€11,200) but the seler’s reserve had not been met.
Story References: eBay Motors / Blogs
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