1964 Buick Riviera

1964 Buick Riviera Hardtop The Buick Riviera may not go down in history as a highly regarded muscle car-but it will be highly regarded, period.  There's just something about the 1963-1965s that attracts buyers and builders from all walks of life and from all the various segments of the automotive world.  Buick Riviera in all its early incarnation beauty and glory is much more than a go straight fast muscle car, and that's probably because it's not typically thought of or portrayed in that manner.  With its European influenced styling, however, as far as muscle cars go, its beauty ultimately overpowered its beast.  HotRod.com, August 2018  For consignment, a 1964 Buick Riviera hardtop showing 31,255 non actual miles.  This stunning design from Bill Mitchell was classic on day one and arguably will be attractive 100 years from now.  And with its 340 horsepower engine, it's a debonair driver with some potency.  Exterior We'll start with the color, which is Marlin Blue, but you could paint this design virtually any color and still have a great looking car.  The star of the show is the front where ribbed columns cover the markers, leading to peaked roofs that are the fenders, wrapped at the base by a contouring chrome bumper.  Dual headlights which exist in individual cylinders are inboard on an egg crate grille that follows the shape of the pointed hood.  In profile, quintessentially 60's with long, narrow panels and faux fender ducts on the back in an age when faux accents were a thing.  The tail is a counter to the elaborate front, simple rectangular tail lights after a flat trunk lid and above a curvaceous bumper that takes in the license plate box.  It's here we find some detail trim on the reverse lights while the Riviera R logo is placed on the tail lights.  On this car, twin chrome pipes protrude from underneath.   The paint shines with original like luster and is in very good condition, as is the brightwork.  Imperfections include bubbling in several spots, cracking paint, surface rust at the rocker panel, and some just beginning to form on a bumper wrap around.  Interior Striped cloth on the door panels has seen better days and might benefit from some restoration, while the panel is intact including the carpeted kick panels.  The striped material fares better on the bucket seats, surrounded by blue vinyl that wears a tear on the driver's seat, but all looks well on the passenger seat and the 2+2 seating in back.  A biscuit tufted pad covers the package tray behind the seats for an added detail we rarely see.  Patina lives on the blue steering wheel with plenty of hairline cracks and faded paint on the horn bar.  Up front, the original instrument panel is backed by ribbed metal while the center stack is basking in black, cleanly housing an AM/FM radio and the vent controls.  We follow the textured black to the center console, home to the chrome shifter in a metallic plate, all over blue loop carpet in good condition and under a blue headliner where one seam is torn, and others are stretched.  The trunk is driver quality with a rubber mat that fits nicely and a spare tire.  Drivetrain Driver quality prevails under the hood as well where we find the 425ci Nailhead V8, rated at 340 horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor.  The bay shows its age but the simple configuration and extra room will make it easy to restore!  An ST400 3-speed automatic transmission is onboard that sends power to the rear axle housing 3.07 gears.  Power assisted drum brakes are found at all four corners.   Undercarriage Surface rust dominates the coverage underneath, replacing any black paint that the frame and components might have had.  The dual exhaust, too, is wearing a coat of the stuff and finds its way through some stock style mufflers before exiting through chrome.  Fortunately, we do not find any apparent invasive rust and very little oil underneath, just a film on the transmission