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1963 401/325HP V8 - DESIRABLE & RARE EARLY MODEL WITH SLICK DASH & FACTORY AC

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Item location: Santa Monica, California, United States
  • Make: Buick
  • Model: Riviera
  • SubModel: MATCHING #'S CAR IN RARE 'DESERT SAND'
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: RARE EARLY MODEL WITH SLICK DASH & FACTORY AC
  • Year: 1963
  • Mileage: 70,100
  • VIN: 7J1025016
  • Color: Desert Sand
  • Engine size: 401/325HP V8
  • Number of cylinders: 8
  • Power options: Air Conditioning, Power Windows
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Drive type: 2WD
  • Interior color: Saddle
  • Options: Leather Seats
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

Buick Riviera 1963 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 & 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!
For further information contact West Coast Classics through EBay or on 310-399-3990 during regular California business hours.
 WEST COAST CLASSICS, LLC Please note: TERMS OF SALE: YOU BID TO OWN: This vehicle is being sold by West Coast Classics, LLC; we are licensed and bonded vehicle dealers in the state of California. Please note that all vehicles sold to be registered in the state of California will be charged California sales tax on the final EBay sales price and any required government licensing, smog, documentation and registration fees. If leaving the state or country, the vehicle must be picked up by a professional licensed auto transportation company that can provide a bill of lading, otherwise California sales tax will be charged. (All licensed auto transport companies provide these). Any out of the state and international buyers will upon completion of the sale be sent by FEDEX the title and bill of sale for the vehicle and will be personally responsible for any sales tax and licensing and registration fees in their home state or province. All bids are legal and binding contracts to purchase the vehicle and by bidding you are hereby entering into a legal and binding contract to purchase the vehicle and agreeing to accept and abide by these terms of sale: Mechanical inspections welcomed; if you wish to inspect the vehicle you must do so before bidding; upon request seller will be happy to deliver the vehicle to a local Santa Monica mechanic of your choice for your prepaid inspection before the reserve price is met. Once the reserve price is met this vehicle is to be considered sold in ‘as is, where is’ condition to the highest bidder with no guaranties or warranties implied or given. Please have all funds available before bidding as a $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required from the winning bidder within 48 hours (2 business days) of auction end; an immediate $500 non-refundable deposit is required through Ebay’s Paypal service to end the auction early if the "Buy it now" option is exercised and the balance in full is due within ten days of auction end in any case. In the case these terms of sale are not met seller reserves the right to either re-list the vehicle or offer the vehicle to the next highest bidder. Seller reserves the right to end the auction at any time before the reserve price is met. Payment by bank wire transfer, cash in person or cashiers check only. All inspections must be done prior to bidding. The non-refundable deposit in the amount of $1,000 is due within 48 hours of the auction end via bank wire transfer or cashier's check via overnight mail. The full payment must be completed within 10 days regardless of a pick up date. In the event the deposit is not posted within the required period of time, the vehicle will be offered for sale to the next subsequent high bidder or relisted for sale. This is to be considered an absolute sale and the buyer is required to comply with all of my conditions in these terms of sale. By placing a bid and winning the auction you hereby agree to abide completely with these terms of sale and the terms of sale are to be considered a legal and binding purchase agreement. Once again, please note that there are no inspections to be made after the auction ends - please be sure to complete any inspection before bidding. The Seller reserves the right to cancel any bid at any time and to end the auction early for any reason. The seller makes every effort to describe in detail any known flaws in the vehicle and includes many detailed and recent photos of the vehicle. The mileage on the vehicle is correct at the time of listing but obviously subject to minor changes necessary to complete delivery of the vehicle to the buyer and test drives etc. Please note that all used vehicles, especially classic and older vehicles, are by definition unique and complex and their condition, for better or worse, must always be considered a subjective opinion to each individual. Therefore the seller shall not be responsible for the absolute correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no guaranties or warranty in connection therewith. Vehicles are sold with one master key unless otherwise stated. Vehicles are sold with handbooks and manuals only if stated in the advertisement. Buyer hereby acknowledges that any definition or terms relating to a "matching numbers" description of any car has been met and the buyer has inspected the car and is satisfied with the description prior to bidding or purchase. No allowance will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value of the vehicle before bidding and to bid based upon that judgment solely. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs whatsoever regardless of any oral or written statements about the vehicle. A documentation fee of $65, which is capped and regulated in California as opposed to some other states, is charged on each sale, which once established legally has to be charged equally on each sale, to cover any necessary costs related to FEDEX mailings and other professional documentation paperwork fees for processing documents to establish title and registration in order to complete the transfer of documents to the new registered owner. Good luck and thanks for your interest!

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