1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport Headed To Mecum Kissimmee

When Harley Earl retired from General Motors in the late 1950s, he left some mighty big shoes to fill. He had been GM’s first VP of Styling, the first to use modeling clay to develop new car mock-ups, and one of the first to put forward the idea of integrating car hoods with the front fenders. He even used some concept cars as daily drivers. His replacement, Bill Mitchell, knew he would have to act boldly to make a name for himself. One of the first things Mitchell did was to create a sharp new personal luxury coupe that would eventually become the Buick Riviera.

Initially, the Buick Riviera was intended for Cadillac, but Cadillac already had a personal luxury coupe in the Eldorado. It was decided the new car would go to Buick to help bolster sales. The Riviera nameplate, Italian for coastline, had been used before as a Buick Roadmaster trim level in the 1950s. The new Riviera bowed in October of 1962 for the 1963 model year. It would be the pinnacle of fit and finish, setting a new standard for Buick. The doors and door windows would be installed before the door skins to assure perfect fitment. The Riviera was built on a modified Buick Electra frame, measuring seventeen feet long. The Ford Thunderbird, the Riviera’s primary competitor, was shorter than the Riviera, but fully four hundred pounds heavier.

The Buick Riviera was a luxury car in every measure. It had power, courtesy of the standard 401 cubic-inch Nailhead V8 that delivered 325 horsepower and a truly impressive 445 pound-feet of torque. The optional 425 cube Wildcat 465 produced 345 horsepower and 465 pound-feet. A generous list of standard and optional appointments were available on the Riviera, including door panels with handles for both front and rear passengers, leather upholstery, tilt wheel, power seats, power locks, power windows, AM-FM radio, separate air conditioning and heat controls, a center console that ran from the dash cascade to the back seats, cruise control, and an electric trunk release.

The Buick Riviera received a facelift for the 1965 model year. The headlights were stacked vertically and hid behind clamshell doors that opened when the headlights were in operation. The faux rear fender side scoops were gone, and the tail lights relocated to the bumper. Tilt steering became standard issue, and an optional vinyl roof was offered. Dual exhaust was enlarged to 2.25 inches for improved performance, and the Super Turbine 400 three-speed automatic became the standard gearbox. The optional Gran Sport package was offered for the first time. It consisted of the Super Wildcat 425 V8 with dual four-barrel carbs, heavy-duty suspension, and a higher 3.42 rear gear.

Our feature 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport has been the subject of a rotisserie restoration to concours levels. It is finished in special order Champagne Mist Metallic over a Saddle interior. All of the chrome has been triple plated. The Riviera is powered by its original Super Wildcat 425 engine. It is equipped with air conditioning, tilt column, power windows, power seat, power antenna, power trunk release, AM-FM radio, remote mirror, and trumpet horns. The sale includes a copy of the original title, original sales brochure, owner’s manual, warranty booklet, and the Protect-O-Plate.

This 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Kissimmee, Florida event taking place January 2^nd through the 14^th.

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