Features 63-65 Riviera's… 60’s Classic

I've always thought these Rivi's were great looking cars.

ironandsteele.com​

 

I've never owned one but those are the years. I went to look at a car one time and the shop owner had one like the op's. He took me to look at another car with it and it left a lasting impression. I don't even remember what we were going to look at but that was one nice riding sharp ass car.

 

Factory customs. Love them.

 

I could have had a couple of these for free several years back. I was helping a co-worker sell off several cars that were left on his property by an ex-son-in-law and there were two 63-65 Rivieras. I opened the hood on one to find aluminum valve covers and two fours. I came to find out later that the one with two fours was actually a fairly fresh motor. Still sort of kick myself knowing both cars sold for scrap price...

 

Dang son. The intake and carbs would have brought $1500.

 

Yup...thus the kick myself comment. The car was rough and I didn’t know much about nailheads at the time. I did come out with a free 59 2 door Biscayne, but I should have grabbed that Riviera.

 

These cars were fantastic styling designs, 2-doors, looooong hood, low long and mean with big cubic inch power. That's pure Americana, before globalism took over automotive design, and the OEM's were creating factory customs.

The Riviera was likely GM's answer to the Ford Thunderbird. What other cars fit in that category? Maybe the Studebaker Golden, Silver, Grand Hawk? They were smaller overall with smaller cubic inches, more sporty car than the larger T-Bird and Rivi. Pontiac's Grand Prix or Bonneville? Bubble top Impala? Not really IMO. All cool cars, but not really the same category as the factor custom Riviera or T-Bird.

 

Really like these cars
Prefer the 65 front and the 63-4 rear. Could be a mild custom with all Riviera parts.

Let's see more pics.

 

63-65 RIVIERA'S WHAT?

 

PURE SEX

 

One I had for a short time, one of the best factory stock interiors IMO

 

I've always loved Rivieras--all years up to '73. As a kid I remember a handful that were lowriders prowling around the streets of my neighborhood. I was on the hunt for a '63-'65 (I really wanted a '65 but I would have taken a '63 or '64) when my '62 Wildkat came along and I couldn't pass it up. Maybe I should have waited. Nah, Wildkats are nice too. Here's a few pictures of Rivys that I have saved on my computer.
Speaking of lowriders, check out the wild paint on this pair..........





A beautiful mild custom '65. Love the '58 Buick grille and skirts. Great hubcap choice. The only thing I'm not diggin' is the mirrors, but the car is so sweet I could overlook them.



How about some major custom work going on? I like what the builder is doing, but it is REALLY HARD to improve on the looks the Buick designers did. I've never seen pics of this car finished.


A small snippet pic of some more wild '60s style paint. This is the only picture I've ever seen of this one.



My last picture is of a Riv that was around the California scene in the late 80s early 90s. I remember seeing a picture of it in a small article about a car show or cruise in California in Custom Rodder. The car was in a line of cars and the owner was looking down at a car show flier. I don't remember where I found this picture. I have to admit the car looked good as a "roadster". I also like the work done on the rear wheel wells.
Can you imagine what a sensation a convertible Riviera would have caused? One can only imagine! E

 

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Can't have a Riviera discussion without one of the best scenes from the movie "Road House". E

 

I`m just started negotiating this one.

 

'63-'65 for me.
They already look like customs rolling out of the factory.

 

Had a black '65..one of the cars I wished I'd of kept.
As said "factory customs"..beautiful cars.

 

I really wish I had a 63-65 Rivi, one of my bucket list cars.

 

It looks very nice....
It would look better in my garage.
Seriously, good job.

 

I remember when I was a kid.......
My cigar-chompin' whisky drinking baseball coach drove one of these new. Had a hair trigger, called everyone a Mother Ape when he got hot (which was very often). I truly believe he was a gangster to this day
Ahhhh......the memories. Always think of these as 'gangster rides'.

Joe

 

Loved my 63. It was well optioned. Son wrecked it. Very rusty, not worth fixing.

 

Talk about making a sow's ear out of a silk purse!

 

Seems like I remember a white one, with 5 spoke Americans, maybe out of Ohio?