(first posted 7/3/2016) I was recently back home in Flint and had my flame for all things Buick reignited. It’s hard not to feel an affinity for and connection with my hometown when I spot a classic Buick out and about, as I had with this ’65 Riviera seen in my Chicago neighborhood a few years back. Having just returned from the 44th annual Sloan Auto Fair car show in Flint’s Cultural Center, my memory was jogged to this particular spotting. I love how serious these shark-like Rivieras look from a front three-quarter perspective.
I’ll try not to ruin this with a lot of words. I’ll just say that if I could combine the headlight arrangement of the ’65 (where they should have been from day one) with the taillights-above-the-bumper arrangement of the original ’63, it would just about make for 60’s automotive aesthetic perfection. The ’65 Rivieras featured some of the first (and best) applications of the stacked headlights ultimately pioneered by the ’63 Pontiacs.
I’m acquainted with a retired autoworker who had worked on the line assembling this year of Riviera. If I recall correctly, his job had something to do with joining the transmission to the chassis / body. I’d love to sit down and talk with Leon someday about his experiences at Buick, and I actually thought of him when I saw this car. Real people built this very car.
The ’65 Riviera came standard with a 401 Buick V8 producing 325 hp, with a 425 producing up to 360 hp in high-spec form as an option. This silver car positively roared…in a primal, chest-thumping growl that let North Broadway know that it wasn’t a Prius, as it guzzled fuel like a dry martini. Can elegance and unabashed, automotive swagger coexist? As evidenced by this Riviera, the answer is “yes”. Starting at $4,408 in base form (roughly $33,300 / adjusted), the ’65 Riviera cost just $78 less than that year’s Ford Thunderbird.
One of just over 34,500 produced for the model year, this ’65 represents the final “remix” of the original, classic Riviera formula that made jaws drop on the streets and in the showrooms of America. Spotting it made me correct my posture a little bit and think back to a time when there was just a little bit of extra artistry and class in everyday things.
Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois.
Sunday, March 17th, 2013.
St. Patrick’s Day.
Related:
- From Paul Niedermeyer: Curbside Classic: 1964 Buick Riviera – The Peak GM Experience; and
- From Aaron65: The Great 28, Car #2–1963-65 Buick Riviera: The Buick I Can’t Buy.
Headlights where they should be. ‘Patination’ ideal for outdoor parking. Front wheel looks too deeply inset under the arch especially compared with the rears, is that factory?
More winning shots, Joseph. Tonality matches the recent T-bird entry, love those muted hues.
Good to see that you made it back to Flint for the show. I made it down on Saturday; I was parked in the Buick Club section, even though I’m not a member. 🙂
Of course, I’m weak in the knees for any ’60s Riviera. This is a car that deserves a little bodywork and a paint job.
Aaron, I saw a ’65 Skylark and thought it might have been yours. I should have stuck around. I am going to write up some of my finds, if I’m not stepping on your toes! 🙂
Nope, I had my ’53 there on Saturday. I’ll probably write a few up myself, likely big ’70s Buicks, kind of an all-inclusive affair. We’ll see.
Nice figure-ground contrast.
In the first picture the bold confident Riviera passes by the bold confident Chicago building. Two timeless shapes in harmony.
In the second picture, time intrudes. The twitchy mouse-like cars, nose down and tail up, appear from the side and watch the thoroughbred Riviera gliding past. Complete dissonance. Alien species.
+1!
“In the second picture, time intrudes. The twitchy mouse-like cars, nose down and tail up, appear from the side and watch the thoroughbred Riviera gliding past. Complete dissonance. Alien species.”
Comment of the week!
The Riviera: 60s swagger and self-confidence. The dreary imported/transplant lookalikes: the PC appliances of Generation Snowflake. God Bless America on this day, a sentiment that foreign car manufacturers might well endorse.
“I’ll try not to ruin this with a lot of words. I’ll just say that if I could combine the headlight arrangement of the ’65 (where they should have been from day one) with the taillights-above-the-bumper arrangement of the original ’63, it would just about make for 60’s automotive aesthetic perfection.”
My thoughts exactly for the past two decades. The 1965 Riviera had the perfected front end with the intended hidden headlights, but changed the taillights for the sake of change and took a step backward. Nevertheless, any 1963-65 Riviera (or 1966-67 Riviera) is a car that I would be proud to own anywhere in the world.
The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn has a 1963 Riviera on display, which says something about its milestone status.
+1
Joseph, Nice catch. The late great Patrick Swayze in the movie “Roadhouse” was sold on a 65 Riviera when the seller proved that the clam shell headlight doors worked.
That Riviera suffered a lot of abuse in the movie.
I haven’t seen “Roadhouse” in many years now, but thought that the Riv in that movie was a ’72 (my favorite, the boat tail). Perhaps my memory of that movie is off, but I recall thinking that, ‘of all the cars he could’ve picked that was going to get its window sledgehammered every night, he picked a THAT car with its expensive back window?’…
IIRC, there was a Mercedes in that movie too, that had that quintessential early 80’s boxy look to it; so much so, that you wouldn’t even know it was a Mercedes without the circled 3 pointed star in its grill. He hid that car in a barn I think.
I’m not a mid-60s Buick guy (those are too new for me) but here’s the back view:
I stand corrected… Maybe I thought, ‘at least he didn’t pick a boat tail and it’s expensive back window’… ?
BTW: I’m in the middle of reading your continued Sunday Morning COAL Series… Awesome… I find myself looking forward to this every weekend with my Sunday morning coffee!
This is the Mercedes:
I love this car, and Joe your writing perfectly captures the mood that this wonderful machine evokes. While I am also a huge fan of the ’65 T-Bird, there’s no question which car I would have bought had I been shopping back in the day. Make my ’65 Riv a GS in dark green with the saddle leather interior and of course the Buick Rallye Wheels.
The first series Riviera was a smashing success that was considered a design triumph on both sides of the Atlantic. Contemporary road tests were almost embarrassing in their praises. Tom Mc Cahill raved about these cars in his reviews. Car and Driver referred to it as “Daddy Warbuck’s high powered runabout”. I agree that the earlier rear end has more of a “coachbuilt” look with the body sheetmetal surrounding the smaller tail lights.The ’65 rear bumper and lights is more contemporary Detroit. At least in ’65 the fake air scoop on the side was gone. Good to see this example on the road. No doubt this one was on it’s way to being spiffed up. I know I’ve beat the subject to death but why couldn’t GM keep the Riv to this size?
The Mercedes SEC coupe, wow, one of my favorite cars. I almost bought one once. Instead I got a Cadillac Seville STS. These are close in size to the early Riv, an appropriate size for a luxury four seat car. Values are still low, so it’s not too late!
Nice! This Gen1 Riviera was one of GM’s last genuine home runs, that Incorporated both stunning good looks with superb engine and chassis dynamics.
And some of the first in tank electric fuel pumps.
The 1965 Buick Riviera is my all time favorite car, hands down. I’ve owned four of them since 1978. The Riv’s style was always ahead of it’s time. Bill Mitchell hit a home run when he designed this car. It was originally slated to be marketed as a Cadillac La Salle ,but it was ultimately launched as Buick’s first(and best) personal luxury car,the Riviera in 1963. In 1965 the Riv received minor styling changes,such as the “gills” were removed from the body side panels,and the headlights were moved from the grille as on the “63-“64 models. The new headlights were stacked vertically in the fenders,concealed behind “clam shell” electrically operated doors,and tee rear tail light were stretched vertically & recessed into thr new rear bumper. Thus giving it a Lincoln Continental resemblance from the rear. The interior was also “freshened up from the previous model year. Other improvements for “65 included the introduction of the Riviera GS or “Gran Sport” which included such options as a 425 cu in. V/8 with dual four barrel Carter carburetors… The Riviera GS was the ultimate marriage of luxury and muscle.
One of my absolutely favorite cars from the 60s, as well as one of my favorite Buicks. Every time I see one, it always draws my attention to how well this design holds up, even 51 years later. Your photography also captures this car in a really dynamic in cool way, although, am I the only one that notices the dent in the body that’s about two feet behind the right tire?
The best-looking Riviera ever.
Nice Riviera. 63-65 is a beauty, but personally I like the 66 and 67 even better.
Broadway is the only thoroughfare in Chicago not designated Street, Boulevard, Avenue, Road, etc. Just a bit of trivia.
And interesting that even though it’s called North Broadway, there is no South Broadway.
Thanks for pointing that out! I think I knew that at one point. I think I’ll leave this piece as written. 🙂
Not criticizing. Just thought it was peculiar when I first saw the pictures that it looked like Chicago but then I backtracked and read the Broadway Blvd and thought I was mistaken. There’s also that guy that drives a totally pimped out early 70s Eldorado around there with those big round customized headlights and other “accents”. I used to see him a little further north in Edgewater all the time.
Just like this but I think its green.
I found one of these undamaged in a local Pick-A-Part Junk yard last year , a sad thing as they’ll never be made again and it was 100 % complete and un damaged , should have been saved as an artifact or a movie car , something , God alone knows what .
.
-Nate
I think I know who you mean! Is it this gentleman?
Yup! That’s him. I thought it was green but that’s the one!
Nice looking survivor ! .
.
Too big for me but I remember these very fondly .
.
-Nate
There is a gray one makes an appearance every now and again round Mclean VA. guessing it’s a 64 or 5; I’m always “just far enough away” to not be sure.
Grr.
1965 would have been such a difficult year to choose your personal luxury coupe. Riviera or Thunderbird? Both were truly in their prime years. Nice capture of this survivor Riviera.
I still regard the first gen Riv as the automotive “Venus Di Milo” of the 1960’s.
One of the best looking cars of all time.
In the early 70’s, when these were getting older but still commonly seen, a high school classmate had one. I believe it was a 425 and it had two four barrels on top… when he put the spurs to it it certainly did scoot. Would love to have it now.
Best “Riv” encarnation there ever was!! I like the “63′ best!
There are so many automobiles from 1963 that I love-it was an absolute banner year for automotive styling-the Rivera, Avanti, Hawk GT, Pontiac Gran Prix, the Ford Thunderbird, the split rear window Corvette Sting Ray. I cannot remember another model year that featured so many beautiful cars.