1963 Buick Riviera

A new sporty model filled with luxury for '63 was the Buick Riviera, a culmination of a five year program by General Motors and Buick. Only offered in '63 as a sport coupe body style the Riviera was both elegant and fast. It combined the best of old-world craftsmanship with modern technology. The first year Buick Riviera was a great success, selling 40,000 models. Full of standard features that included the 401 cid V8 with 325hp, 2-speed wipers and washers, back-up lights, parking brake, signal light, glare proof side mirror, safety speed buzzer, electric clock, padded instrument panel, smoking set and trip odometer, bucket seats with foam padded cushions, center console, heater, defroster and a few more all for a base that started at $4300. None other than Sergio Pininfarina declared it "one of the most beautiful American cars ever built; it has marked a very impressive return to simplicity of American car design."

Which brings us to our barn find. A beautiful running and driving 37,000 original mile car. Original Wildcat 445 as cool and clean a starting point as can be! Original Sandalwood interior that is pretty decent except for the driver’s seat and a couple mouse chews here and there on the headliner. Last registered in 1975 by the original owner and that’s where we found it, sitting in a barn waiting for someone to show her a little love. New Tune up, fuel tank cleaned and fuel lines replaced and it runs beautifully. I have driven her a couple times here the last couple weeks a hundred miles or so when the weather wasn't bad. You won't be disappointed  if you are looking for a great car to start your restoration.