1964 Buick Riviera

Description

The 1964 Buick Riviera is one of those ideal classics. It has the cool-cruising attitude that comes from a premium nameplate, a big V8 under the hood, a truly interesting design, and a terrific color combo. And so we know when you see the obtainable price for this much vintage elegance, you're going to fall in love, too.

No tailfins and minimal chrome gave this a European flair that made Buick's Riviera look like it was ready for the French Riviera. So it's great to find such a properly preserved example with good panels and shining blue paint that looks like ocean water. Brightwork was applied more sparingly than its 1960s contemporaries, so it was used as an accent to draw attention to unique pieces like the delicate wrap-around bumpers, cool bombsight hood ornament, decorative intakes on the quarter panels, wire wheel covers, and exclusive Riviera badging. And the extra wide whitewall tires are particularly nice here, because if the paint looks like a tropical blue ocean, then the tires are like the caps of the waves.

While all Rivieras were built to be luxurious, this one takes it a step further with the custom interior. It has a terrific look where the bright upholstery has artful blue piping and even matching button-top seatbacks. This has the unmistakable look of custom, and people won't be able to resist being drawn to it because the whole interior is practically radiating when you see this car out in the daylight. Just like the exterior, the brightwork is used for accenting instead of overwhelming, so the instrument panel is a fantastic display of elegant restraint. Within this are nice features like the classic Buick Sonomatic AM radio and R134a air conditioning (will need serving to fully function again.) You get the original dual-spoke steering wheel. It's mounted on a tilt column to give you a commanding view of brushed stainless round gauge package. And because you have power windows on this personal luxury coupe, it's easy to showcase the pillarless hardtop profile and let everyone get a nice view of this very distinct interior.

With a car this special so far, it's great to see the year-correct 401 cubic-inch V8 under the hood. It looks particularly impressive with the nailhead's large and ribbed Buick valve covers. Topped with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor w/electric choke, this big V8 fires up with ease. Buick knew that effortless performance was the key to the Riviera's success, so they made sure that there was plenty of torque on tap to move this coupe with authority. It's linked to a three-speed automatic, so you have a strong and smooth total package. Add in power steering, power brakes, and the Riviera's legendary supple ride, and you can see why this is a terrific vintage cruiser for modern times.

This Riviera is quite a sharp-looking car with the right mix of vintage and custom. It's your perfect all-around classic personal coupe, and it's going fast. Call today!!!