1963 Buick Riviera - Well Documented Survivor!

Buick Riviera 1963 Description

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This lovingly preserved Riviera was bought new by Ms. Alice Walker on December 22nd 1962 and still sports the personalized delivery tag on the console. Kept in top shape and driven fewer than 2000 miles a year it wasn't until 2000 that the car went to its next owner a collector in Warsaw Kentucky with 70024 miles on the odometer. Another careful keeper the car accumulated fewer than 3500 miles over the next 7 years. Passing through the hands of 2 more collectors who have used it sparingly the car still shows well today and is an amazing original timepiece having only been driven 74917 miles in the last half a century. The factory Arctic White finish which was repainted some time ago is complimented by an uplevel "Custom" Saddle interior with leather seat trim and genuine wood accents. The Riviera is equipped with factory air conditioning power steering windows seats and truck release and an AM/FM radio—a new option in 1963. Underhood the engine compartment showcases the powerful Buick Wildcat V8 which is mated to an optional automatic transmission. The car's factory owner's manual and all tools delivered new with the car —are included. This is a spectacular fully equipped first-year Riviera a nice survivor that may be enjoyed as is. Combining a rare and attractive color combination with originality that is unlikely to be surpassed here is a Riviera that will always stand out.

We have many more photographs of this car please click on any image to be taken to our full-size image list! In the late 1950s GM lacked a personal luxury car to compete with the highly successful Ford Thunderbird—a uniquely styled two-door four-passenger car. To fill this gap an experimental Cadillac design (the XP-715) was created. Its angular styling was reportedly inspired by GM styling chief Bill Mitchell's visit to London during the period when he was struck by the sight of an elegant custom-bodied Rolls Royce. He later said that "knife-edged" styling was what he wanted for the new model but with a lower profile. The design itself was penned by stylist Ned Nickles. However Cadillac management was not particularly interested in such a vehicle and in 1960 the project was thrown open for competition by the other divisions. Buick desperate to revive its flagging sales enlisted the aid of the McCann-Erickson advertising agency to create its presentation. Buick won and the finished design was adapted to a shortened version of Buick's cruciform frame. The design was substantially the same as the original although the hidden headlights—originally concealed in the fender grilles—were initially omitted for cost reasons. The Riviera was introduced on October 4 1962 as a 1963 model with the 325 hp 401 cu in "Nailhead" V-8 as the only available engine fitted with dual exhaust as standard equipment and the turbine drive the only transmission at a base price of $4333; typical delivered prices with options ran upwards of $5000. With the same power as the larger Buicks and less weight the Riviera had sparkling all-around performance: Motor Trend found it capable of running 0–60 mph in 8 seconds or less the standing quarter mile in about 16 seconds and an observed top speed of 115 miles per hour. Inside the Riviera featured a four-place cabin with front bucket seats separated by a center console with floor shifter and storage compartment that was built into the instrument panel and bucket-style seats in the rear. 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. Popular 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. Our Ebay Policies: Significant Cars is one of the largest Collector Car Brokers and Dealers in the Country. Since 2003 we have worked hard to "change the way collector cars find new homes" by providing unparralleled web presentation of the cars we are representing. Most of our cars have over 30 photographs and these can be viewed by visiting our website (our eBay handle dot com) or by clicking on any of the photographs in the black background area of our EBay listings. We welcome your call with any questions about any of our listings at anytime at 800-837-9902 and certainly encourage your personal inspection of any of the cars we are selling-just call us and we will be happy to set up an appointment for your to see and test drive the car. We realize that eBay is a difficult venue to properly evaluate an item as complex as an automobile. You can feel secure bidding with confidence on any of our cars since we guarantee your satisfaction! Should you win the auction and come to see the car and decide you do not want it for any reason no negative feedback will result any deposit you may have paid will be cheerfully refunded. Description images and copy © 2004-2014 Significant Cars Inc.