1963 Buick Riviera

Coupe

425 / 340 HP Nail Head WILDCAT

Automatic

7J107E774

Clear

Gasoline

THIS CAR WAS AN INSTANT CLASSIC THE DAY IT WAS BUILT! DESIGNED TO OFFER SOME PRETTY STIFF COMPETITION TO ALL THE OTHER LUXURY AMERICAN CARS, THE RIVIERA'S BODY LINES WERE A STATEMENT IN REFINEMENT. PAIRED WITH THIS CLASSIC STYLE WERE THE BUICKS HARD HITTING MECHANICALS THAT PROPELLED THE RIVIERA BEYOND THE ORDINARY INTO THE EXTRAORDINARY. THE 465 NAIL HEAD PUT OUT 340 H.P. , NOT BAD FOR A LUXURY CAR. THE REAL SURPRISE WAS THE 465 FT. LBS. OF TORQUE THAT MADE THIS LUXURY CAR FEEL LIKE A SPORTS CAR!!!. Still regarded as perhaps the best post-war automotive design worthy of graduating to Full Classic status, the Buick Riviera was one of the biggest automotive newsmakers of the day. While the name dates back to 1949, when Buick applied it to the pillarless two-door hardtop version of the Roadmaster, the Riviera broke out as a separate car in 1963, but it almost didn’t happen that way. Bill Mitchell reportedly got the inspiration for the Riviera’s sharp lines and sporty nature from, respectively, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari, and then turned to Ned Nickles to flush out the concept as a revived La Salle; it only became a Buick when Cadillac passed on the idea and GM then shopped it around to its other divisions. "One of the most beautiful cars America ever built" as stated by none other than Sergio Pininfarina of Ferrari design fame at it's debut at the Paris auto show in 1963. In that first and most desirable year (1963), power complemented styling with a standard 401-cu.in., 325hp V-8, or the optional 340hp 425. A finely tuned suspension provided great balance while front and rear leather bucket seats and center console made for both a stunning and comfortable interior. It brought a whole new meaning to the phrase “personal luxury car market” that up till then had been dominated by Ford’s Thunderbird. Buick's T-Bird fighter, the original Riviera, was a gentleman's muscle car, an executive express that offered luxury, high style, room for four, and power enough to embarrass many a performance car. Hemmings recently touted the 1963 Riviera as one of the top 10 collector cars poised to greatly increase in value. THIS EXAMPLE IS RUST FREE WITH ALL ORIGINAL LASER STRAIGHT PANELS. IN MARCH 2012 THE CAR RECEIVED A PROFESSIONAL SHOW QUALITY REPAINT RETAINING IT'S ORIGIAL BEAUTIFUL (H CODE) GLACIER BLUE -BASE COAT CLEAR COAT. A TRUE FRAME UP RESTORATION WITH ALL NOS PARTS. ALL THE CHROME HAS BEEN REFINISHED TO SHOW QUALITY STANDARDS AND THE STAINLESS BRITE WORK HAS BEEN RESTORED AND POLISHED TO LOOK BETTER THAN NEW. THE INTERIOR IS STUNNING WITH A FLAWLESS DASH PAD AND UPPER INSTRUMENT PANEL DONE IN A DARK BLUE WITH A CONTRASTING MEDIUM BLUE BRAND NEW PLUSH CARPET AND FLAWLESS HEADLINER. THE STERING WHEEL COLOR IS THE IDEAL COMPLIMENT TO THE DESIGNER INTERIOR. THE SEATING SURFACES HAVE BEEN REUPHOLSTERED IN MEDIUM BLUE LEATHER (CODE 718) BY AN OLE SCHOOL MASTER WHO TOOK GREAT PRIDE IN HIS WORK. THE GLACIER BLUE EXTERIOR AND TWO TONE BLUE INTERIOR IS TRULY A CLASSIC LOOK -SET OFF NICELY WITH THE OPTIONAL TURBINE WHEELS (NOT HUBCAPS) AND KNOCK OFF CENTER SPINNERS - ADDING TO IT'S TIMELESS GOOD LOOKS. THIS RIVIERA HAS BEEN RESTORED TO SHOW QUALITY WITH NO EXPENSES SPARED. THE CAR WAS BUILT IN FLINT MI AND DELIVERED TO JAY CRANDALL ON DECEMBER 3, 1963 IN SALT LAKE CITY, UT- CHECK OUT THE TITLE AND THE ORIGINAL BADGE THE DEALER HAD ENGRAVED AND PLACED ON THE DASH "THIS RIVIERA WAS DESIGNED FOR JAY W. CRANDALL". JAY MUST HAVE FELT LIKE A KING DRIVING OFF WITH THAT STUNNING CAR AND THE POWER OF THE OPTIONAL 465 NAIL HEAD DELIVERING 340 HORSES. THE CAR WAS GARAGED DURING HIS 46 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP AND FOR MOST OF IT'S LIFE IT NEVER EVEN SAW RAIN -THATS WHY IT'S RUST FREE! I HAVE NOT ENTERED IT IN ANY NATIONAL SHOWS (HAVE WON AT EVERY LOCAL SHOW THAT I HAVE ENTERED IT) BUT I'M VERY CONFIDENT IT WOULD DO VERY WELL. THE RIV IS FUN TO DRIVE AND HANDLES BETTER THAN NEW AT 60-70 MPH -IT HUGS THE ROAD AND TAKES OFF NO SHAKES OR RATTLES. THE NUMBERS MATCHING ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WERE REBUILT IN 2010 AND PERFORM AS NEW. YOU CAN HARDLY FEEL THE DYNAFLOW SUPER TURBINE TRANSMISSION SHIFT. OPTIONS: POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, POWER ANTENNA, LEATHER INTERIOR, 465 WILDCAT NAIL HEAD ENGINE, TURBINE WHEELS, DUAL EXHAUSTS, FRONT SEAT BELTS, REMOTE CONTROL DRIVERS SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND MANUAL PSSSENGERS MIRROR AND SOFT RAY TINTED GLASS THE CAR NEEDS NOTHING AND IS READY TO SHOW AND DRIVE - THIS IS A SPECIAL CAR THAT I HAVE OVER RESTORED AS I'M VERY FUSSY - I HATE TO SELL IT BUT I HAVE 7 CARS AND MY LATEST MUSCLE CAR PROJECT IS COMPLETE AND COMING HOME FROM THE RESTORER NEXT MONTH SO I NEED THE ROOM