Rare 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport Headed To Mecum Glendale

by Brett Hatfield
— Mar 20, 2023

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Legendary coachbuilder, designer, and Vice President of General Motors’ Styling Division Harley Earl retired from GM in the late 1950s. His replacement, Bill Mitchell, made one of his first projects the creation of a new personal luxury coupe to compete with Ford’s Thunderbird. Initially intended as a Cadillac offering. As Cadillac already had a personal luxury car in the Eldorado, the new car would become the Buick Riviera.

The Buick Riviera bowed in October of 1962 as a 1963 model. The Riviera moniker, Italian for coastline, had previously been used as a trim level for the 1950s Buick Roadmaster. The new Riviera had an emphasis on fit and finish, to the extent that the doors were installed and windows adjusted before the outer door skins were applied, guaranteeing proper fitment. Riviera production was limited to ensure exclusivity.

At seventeen feet long, the Buick Riviera rode a modified Buick Electra frame. It was more than seven inches shorter than a Buick LeSabre, but longer than the Ford Thunderbird. Tipping the scales right at 4,000 pounds, the Riviera undercut the T-Bird’s weight by nearly 400 pounds.

As a personal luxury car, the Buick Riviera was available with a considerable list of luxury appointments and options. Upholstery could be vinyl or a combination of vinyl and leather. The capacious interior was able to comfortably accommodate four passengers. The center dash cascade was home to the radio and separate heat and air conditioning controls. The console extended down and back, dividing the front seats, and housing the shifter and storage compartment. The console stretched to the rear seats, making the Riviera a strictly four-passenger car. Each door panel had two door release handles, one for the front-seat passenger and one for the rear. This allowed back-seat passengers the ability to exit the car without having to trouble the front-seat passenger. Available options included an automatic trunk release, AM-FM radio, power door locks, cruise control, air conditioning, tilt steering column, power seats, and power windows.

A true luxury car needs true power, and the Buick Riviera delivered in fine fashion with a standard 401 cubic-inch Nailhead V8 that produced 325 horsepower and an impressive 445 pound-feet of torque. An optional 425 cubic-inch Wildcat 465 made 345 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.

For the 1965 model year, the Buick Riviera received a facelift. The previously horizontal headlights were now stacked vertically and hidden in clamshell enclosures that would open when the headlights were in use. The faux side scoops located in the rear fenders were eliminated, and the tail lights moved to the bumper. An optional vinyl roof was available, and the tilt steering wheel became standard equipment. A freer flowing 2.25-inch dual exhaust aided performance, and the standard transmission was the Super Turbine 400 three-speed automatic. Introduced for the 1965 model year, the Gran Sport option included the Super Wildcat 425 engine. Induction was through dual four-barrel carbs. A higher 3.42 axle ratio and heavy-duty suspension rounded out the performance package.

Our feature 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport is one of just 3,354 built that year. It has received a frame-off restoration. The Riviera Gran Sport retains its numbers-matching Super Wildcat 425 V8, Super Turbine transmission and rear differential. It has been refinished in its factory hue of Seafoam Green, and the interior is dark green. Equipment includes factory air conditioning, four-way power driver’s seat, remote mirror, cruise control, power vent windows, remote trunk release, Guide-Matic automatic headlight dimmer, power antenna, and an aftermarket AM-FM stereo that is similar in appearance to the factory unit. Included in the sale are the original purchase paperwork, Protect-O-Plate, and an unopened copy of Buick Magazine.