1963 Buick Riviera

1963 Buick Riviera Hardtop The Riviera is the culmination of a five year program by General Motors and Buick to introduce an American car of international classic proportions and quality. It combines the best of old world craftsmanship and coachwork with the high precision art of modern technology. The Riviera by Buick. America's bid for a great new international classic car. From a 1963 print ad.  For consignment, a 1963 Buick Riviera hardtop showing 92,805 miles, but the true miles are unknown. The Riviera design is legendary and the brochure boldly states, after you examine the Riviera you'll find it hard to believe that it is not a custom made car and we have to agree, they are special. This Riv has its numbers matching engine onboard!  Exterior The front end is the money shot on a car that has several good money shots. The way the marker lights hide behind protruding, ribbed columns that don't just flank the grille, they envelope it! The dual headlights in the eggcrate grille could literally be anything and look good behind the space age fender tips and contouring chrome bumper. There's some curvature to the hood and then twin duct ornamentation on the rear fenders send this Arctic White version to the moon, while tail lights mark the back with understated simplicity at the end of a smooth decklid. The sloping C-pillar is accentuated by polished shoulder line trim while 15-inch wheels pull it all together with shiny wheel covers and white wall tires. The metal work and paint are overall fantastic, with imperfections noted as bubbling on lower panels. Interior Door panels are handsomely designed, here in attractive red materials that are accented with a woodgrain insert with a black border and a Riviera badge, along with chrome and ribbed metal switchgear and both present as showroom fresh. Red leather adorns the bucket seats with ornamental buttons and light center tufting and along with the rear 2+2, all seats are in very nice condition. The entire interior is a blast of red, sharply contrasting the exterior and plush carpet flows throughout. Yes, the steering wheel is red plastic and leads to a simple and well organized control center at your fingertips. As Buick put it in '63, It's a bit, we think, like an airplane cockpit with the leather upholstered bucket seats, the console your right with the Turbine Drive selector, the instruments that loom up in such a commanding manner. Yes, it's all there and it's in great condition, including a special order engraved plate in the sloping, center console. The large trunk is covered with a mat and shows usage but if intended for show, could easily be beautified.  Drivetrain Under the hood, the clean and original, numbers matching 401ci V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and rated at a respectable 330 horsepower. Behind it, the Dynaflow 2-speed automatic sending power to the 3.23 gears in back. The Wildcat engine wears a red air cleaner cover as standard, not purposely coordinated with the bright interior.  Undercarriage Uniformly black and clean underneath with minimal surface rust and only residual bits of oil about, it's overall in very nice condition. The dual exhaust contours to the X-frame then enters resonators before uniting in a single Magnaflow muffler in back that emits two tailpipes which terminate with polished tips. Power drum brakes are at all four wheels and suspension consists of coil springs up front and a 4 link with coil springs in back.  Drive-Ability We get our flight instructions and enter this red cockpit with great anticipation to see if the car operates mechanically as well as it looks esthetically. The original engine comes to life without hesitation and its smooth sailing onto the test loop where the power is evident, the ride is luxury level, and visibility is excellent once you train your brain that you have one side mirror and a decent C-pillar, so move right with care. We note the clock, heater blower, and right rear power