Modified 1965 Buick Riviera

Description

The first-generation Buick Riviera, produced from 1963 to 1965, stands as a pinnacle of American automotive design. Its bold, sculpted 209-inch body featured hidden headlights, a sweeping low roofline, and distinctive vertical rear fins — an unmistakable silhouette that exuded sophistication and power.

Inside the cabin, the Riviera offered a refined and comfortable driving environment. Included were luxurious bucket seats, power accessories, a chrome-trimmed dashboard with analog gauges, and a floor-mounted shifter integrated into a stylish center console.

In 1965, Buick elevated the Riviera’s appeal with the introduction of the Gran Sport package. At its heart was the formidable 425 cubic-inch Super Wildcat V8, delivering 360 horsepower. This performance upgrade was complemented by an optional heavy-duty suspension with stiffer springs, shocks, and bushings, offering a more responsive and composed ride. The Gran Sport masterfully blended luxury and muscle, wrapped in a sleek, limited-production design that has since become a collector’s favorite.

This customized 1965 Riviera’s dual-carb V8 engine has been machined and rebuilt, so it’s unknown if it is a true LX-code Gran Sport 425. However this example looks the part with Gran Sport badges, and wears a lowered suspension, aftermarket front disc brakes, and a modern four-speed overdrive transmission for impressive personal luxury performance.

Highlights 

• Timeless Riviera with light modifications for improved performance 

• Rebuilt Nailhead Buick V8 with dual carburetors with around 300 miles 

• Upgraded TH200-4R four-speed overdrive automatic transmission with around 300 miles 

• Finished in (Y) Bamboo Cream with a black leather interior 

• Lowered suspension  

• Upgraded power front disc brakes with drilled rotors 

• New solid-state electric headlight clam shell conversion  

• Aftermarket A/C with controls hidden in the console 

Features 

• Power steering, power windows, and power driver’s seat  

• Tilt steering column with a leather-wrapped steering wheel  

• Front and rear seat belts (front retracting) 

• Tinted glass  

• 140-mph speedometer and fuel gauge, with oil pressure, coolant temp, and voltage lights 

• Dual remote mirrors  

• Dual exhaust  

• Limited slip rear end  

• New fuel tank  

• Aluminum radiator  

• Smoothed firewall  

• Fully finished trunk  

• 15-inch wheels wearing 225/75R15 Criterion tires 

Known Imperfections 

• Chips and other small flaws in the paint  

• Antenna and radio not working  

• Pitting and flaking chrome on original Buick air cleaner  

• Original headliner has stains on the sail panels  

• Driver’s seat cushion is missing the tops of several buttons, and there’s a tear on the side near the power seat switch  

• Small dent on both tips of rear bumper  

• Some normal interior wear

Included 

• Keys 

• Jack and tire iron 

Ownership History

The Arizona seller of this 1965 Buick Riviera states, “I bought it from a dealer in Palm Springs (One Eleven Vintage Cars) approximately two years ago. There is no number stamped on the engine where the identification number should be, so we are unable to confirm if it is original to the car or not. It could be possible that the engine is a replacement, or that the numbers were machined off during the rebuild.”

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Frank Malefors Phone: 602-488-7888 Email: fmalefors@hagerty.com