1965 BUICK RIVIERA G.S.

In 1963 Buick launched a two door hardtop coupe that was to become one of the most influential car designs of the decade. THE RIVIERA by BUICK, as it was known, has now become one of the most sought after and prized vehicles of the muscle car era.

Now accredited as a full “Milestone Classic”, it`s then radical design features included, frameless side windows, bolt on door skins, bonded screens and concealed twin stacked headlights.

The Riviera’s design was conceived by Bill Mitchell as an intriguing series of angles & sweeps, planes & compound curves that achieved a sensuous yet reserved look. Something “between a Ferrari and a Rolls Royce” according to Mitchell.

“We can think of few more satisfying ways to travel” wrote CAR & DRIVER in 1964.

The 65 Riviera Gran Sport featured a 425cu inch V8 with Twin 4 Barrel Carter AFB carburetters, coupled to the new turbo 400 Super Turbine autotransmission specially calibrated for higher shift speeds. All this with a positive traction rear axle and a special suspension and handling package resulted in the Riviera garnering the “Top Performance Car of the Year “ award. No wonder , at nearly 2 tons it was still as fast as the current Porsche!

The Buick Riviera became the car to beat, the car to copy, but as the period advertising said: “WOULDN’T YOU REALLY RATHER HAVE A BUICK?”.