That's perfect for style changes or a parking error. I wish the roads had less corrosive ice buster on there. Y'all eating up southern cars but I blame Cali more so it's a wash up. I occasionally see a Bel Aire or a 34 Ford coupe. Used to see falcons more. Started seeing Mavericks. All the fast and furious cars are sapped up by the college kids and I never see any rx-7 other than a mid 80's one maybe a convertible. Rust was bad bad on Japanese cars even outside the rust belt. Coating the inside of the body and doors should be done right after purchase.
Wow, a lot of information here that’s new to me. I was really impressed with the styling of the Riviera when it first came out. There were two in my block, both silver with red interior, and one was rolling on new five spoke American Racing torque thrust mags, it was stunning.
I had a chance to work on a friend's '65 Riviera, back in the mid-seventies. That car would practically leap off its feet when you hit the gas. It was so manouverable for a big car, easy to parallel park in one shot due to really fast steering. So much fun to drive!
This car was the first, and by far the most worthy attempt to bring back the LaSalle nameplate in the postwar era. The other attempts would degrade further. The 2nd was to be a modified X-body (i.e. Nova) for 1977, but was named Seville instead. The 3rd was no more than a rebadged and tarted up J-body (Cavalier) in 1982 that went with the Cimarron name.
One of the first US cars admired around the world for the ground breaking styling. Even by the Italian designer stylists of the time. Me too but as a young kid in Australia all I could nearly afford was the Corgi model with the same paint scheme. Very rare in Australia but did see one for sale 25 years ago. Unfortunately someone had taken the roof off to make a convertible, but without any roof system you could put up.
That Riviera, along with the '71-'72 Grand Prix, the '68-'70 Charger, and the '67-'68 Cougar are some of my absolute favorite cars, with their formal and elegant stateliness. Heck, I'll even throw the '68-'69 Skylark in that list too...
I swear I saw Steve a few weeks ago standing outside of a fancy classic car dealership in auburn talking to someone, I started to lay on the air horn…I’m from SC but I’m always in that part of the country hauling plastics from a couple of big rail yards right around the corner. One of these days I’m going to stop in and buy one of those fancy restored rides to park beside my 71 sublime 340 Duster.
I own a 68 Riviera for the past 35 years, I like the 63-65. I love the 66-70 body style and ride. The Boattail Era 71-73 has its own group of fans, I believe the RIVIERA was best the first 10 years.
Just think how beautiful it was the day the original owner took it home,,they must have really loved it,, interior was all shiny and smelt good,beautiful car
Whenever I see a Riviera at a car show I am blown away at the high quality of the interior components! All the little knobs and gadgetry are so finely designed and constructed of such high quality materials - and usually only for a one year production run! It’s hard to believe that so much time and engineering prowess was devoted to these details in a (relatively) high-volume production automobile……😮 And that “Silver Arrow” shown in Steve’s magazine? The first thing that hit me when I saw the lines and image of that car was “First Gen Monte Carlo”…….🤔
We always used a Buick frame and suspension in my dirt track car because of its strength! A small weight penalty but worth it! It had a 66 Chevelle body that everyone was envious of but it was legal!!😁 A lot of wheels/hubs came off but not us!! When the body got beat up just weld another one on!! The frame was fine!! The drum brakes worked fine!! Also the differential and transmission were bullet proof!! We called it a Buvelle!!
I'm your age. When I was 5 I could name everything on the road. Dad got a kick out of it. But I was more a 70s expert. The 71? the last year of the Polara actually made a 5 year old cry.
As an American car guy..you haven't lived..till you've enjoyed a 63-5 Riviera. Wonderful in every regard and maybe GM's finest automobile. I've owned a 63 and 4 Loved them both
I've liked the 1st generation Riviera ever since I saw Patrick Swayze buy one at a used car lot in the movie Roadhouse. Those clamshell headlights on the 65s are just flat out cool!
Patrick Swayze drove a Riviera in Roadhouse. It got a stop sign through the windshield. This car has a hole in the windshield. Is that movie car missing?🤔
With GM's self-imposed 50% market share limitation, and with the divisions being autonomous from each other at this time, the competitive edge at GM was kept sharp at this time. Typically between Buick, Olds, and Pontiac one of them was in trouble, and they seemed to take it in turns. When Pontiac slumped enter Bunkie Knudsen. Then it was Buick's turn. The Riviera was just the image boost Buick needed.
Great looking car! Easily in my top 25 favorite car designs ever. So much style and beefy from any angle. My Mom had a ‘63 when I was a fifth grader. I sat in the driver seat and made engine noises, gettin slobber on the inside of the windshield. I would sometimes dream of driving it while I was drifting off to sleep. I’m an old guy now, nearing the end of my career and may buy myself a nice one as a retirement present. I prefer the hidden headlights of the ‘65 but the tail lights above the bumper on the ‘63….so guess either would be ok. Thanks for the look at this one Steve! 👍
That one is a 401 Steve. The 425 was for the GS only. Ya can't remember every THING at every second! 🙂 Also I believe all Buicks were an X frame AND a perimeter frame all in one. I had a '65. It was the only car I ever saw that you could stand up in the MIDDLE of the roof panel and it wouldn't bend!!! Love Cads, but SO glad Buick got this as the 1st. Rivs were nicely understated.
check your facts Steve is right at least according to my 64 service manual, and research that i have done on my own 64 Riviera. For some reason the 63 & 65 had a 401, but the 64 had a 425
One of the finer touches on Buicks of that era, or at least the upper class ones was the fact the bumpers did not have bolt heads that showed on the outside of the bumper. Most cars of that era had something like a carriage bolt with a polished stainless steel cap on it The Buicks and Caddies had the brackets welded inside it bumper so it would not show on the outside.
The X frame deserves a vid. It was used by all gm divisions except olds from 55 to the mid 60s and was a big factor for the push for safety legislation due to its lack of side impact protection. Olds touted their parimeter frame for better safety in ads and the govt used that against gm. Ironic.
Someone I know did spot a 1st generation riviera in a wrecking yard with a 4 speed way back when, didn’t even think about it at the time. Either a custom piece, or a dealer owner special order kind of deal.
A friend's mother had one of the boat-tail Rivs with a 455 (I think). It was a fun car to cruise around in. Love the 64 and 65 Rivs, too. Thanks for the info, Steve!
That Riviera was a pretty grand ride OUAT (Once Upon A Time). The gold and the other metallics like bronze and medium blue were perfect for this sharp styling but they also look good in the shade of white that was available. Not wrecked and you wonder the circumstances that led to it sitting on the ground rotting away in Massachusetts . This yard has great variety but too bad they didn't take care to keep vehicles from direct contact with the ground. Lots of good parts though. Steve, thanks again, for the good knowledge. Bolt on door skin?. Great idea. More cars should have that. Never before realized the Riv was the first with frameless glass. Surprised by the x-frame, had assumed perimeter frame because they seem so solid. The trunk bracing? DNK. I do miss that manufacturers once offered distinctly different engines from one another. Nailheads are fantastic torque monsters. With the small valves they also have unique camshaft profiles to help them breath better which gives them a particularly nice sounding exhaust note. I once raced my 65 442 with the 400 against a dual quad 425 Rivera. Before I was out of first gear he was just about a half city block ahead of me. Blew me into the weeds.
Always informative Steve, I never knew about the LeSalle connection or the removable door skins. To me, the 65 Riviera will always be Patrick Swayze's car when he bounced at the Double Deuce in Rural Texas in Roadhouse.
what a pitiful sight. It's crying shame it got to the point of no return. I see T-3 headlights so the mileage on the clock could be original. Great presentation, Steve, as per usual
This car actually nearly became the Eldorado . It was deemed too sporty for Cadillac , so we have the Riviera . I drove one of these for about 20 years . The brakes were the worst design , with steel pressed liners in finned aluminum drums . As it turned out the heat "damming" , restricted the heat from passing from the ferrous lining to the drum . I can tell you first hand , there was a steep learning curve using them . The trap waiting for the uninitiated was spontaneous full lock-up . They behaved different with temperature from one brake application to the next . She was fast and pretty . Got too rusty , sold her in '88 .
The first gen Riviera in my opinion is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed
Easily, yes. One of, if not, the best looking car of the 1960s.
@@junkman7426 Along with the 1963-67 Corvette coupe and 65-66 Mustang fastback, IMO!😁
They are the most Gorgeous 😮😂❤❤❤had 2 65z one was G.S...
Always liked those Rivs!!!!!!!
Really enjoyed.................. 🙂
Gee our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days.
Gee our old LaSalle ran great...those were the days
didnt need no welfare state, everybody pulled his weight! And you knew who you were then, girls were girls & men were men!
I’m dying over here x-ray vision 😆😆😅😅😅😅🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I like these Riv's but my personal favorites are the '70-'73 models, those boat tails are just awesome! Thanks again Steve.
Your pick of Rivera is also my favourite! Good pick!
Id have to agree, so sharp and that back window gives me C2 Corvette vibes
@@zekeosborne9684 So true!
@@zekeosborne9684 the 73 Riviera always seemed like a 1.5:1 scale clone of the split window stingray !
Don't want to pick at you but 1970 wasn't a "boat tail" one.Only '71-73 were.
Had a '63. Leather interior, rear bucket type seats and had rear seat heater ducts.
Car had innovations well ahead of it's time.
1963 was the only year they had leather upholstery.
Truly one of the most beautiful American automobiles ever produced , Thanks Steve
Well Steve, you did it again. Never seen or heard of removable door skins, wild. As always, great presentations, memories and education. Cheers!
Saturns had that type of door also
That's perfect for style changes or a parking error. I wish the roads had less corrosive ice buster on there. Y'all eating up southern cars but I blame Cali more so it's a wash up. I occasionally see a Bel Aire or a 34 Ford coupe. Used to see falcons more. Started seeing Mavericks. All the fast and furious cars are sapped up by the college kids and I never see any rx-7 other than a mid 80's one maybe a convertible. Rust was bad bad on Japanese cars even outside the rust belt. Coating the inside of the body and doors should be done right after purchase.
@@marshmower Trust me, I live in the frozen waste-land of MI. The battle with rust is endless, and rust always wins.
VW used bolt on door skins on the Jetta
I wish cars now had character like old cars.... different times and different ways to do stuff
I had a 64 teal mist Riviera and still have a early 65 riviera
Wow, a lot of information here that’s new to me. I was really impressed with the styling of the Riviera when it first came out. There were two in my block, both silver with red interior, and one was rolling on new five spoke American Racing torque thrust mags, it was stunning.
I had a chance to work on a friend's '65 Riviera, back in the mid-seventies. That car would practically leap off its feet when you hit the gas. It was so manouverable for a big car, easy to parallel park in one shot due to really fast steering. So much fun to drive!
This car was the first, and by far the most worthy attempt to bring back the LaSalle nameplate in the postwar era. The other attempts would degrade further. The 2nd was to be a modified X-body (i.e. Nova) for 1977, but was named Seville instead. The 3rd was no more than a rebadged and tarted up J-body (Cavalier) in 1982 that went with the Cimarron name.
Riv's are underrated and underappreciated .... love those
The rust there is just brutal
Love this generation of Rivs! Beautiful Buick!!!
This and the Sixty seven Cadillac Eldorado are two of the most beautiful cars of the that era.still beautiful today.💥💥💥
Steve's magic is that he can talk about any car and within a few minutes you start to desire it. I want that LaSalle! Don't tell my wife, LOL.
One of the first US cars admired around the world for the ground breaking styling. Even by the Italian designer stylists of the time.
Me too but as a young kid in Australia all I could nearly afford was the Corgi model with the same paint scheme.
Very rare in Australia but did see one for sale 25 years ago. Unfortunately someone had taken the roof off to make a convertible, but without any roof system you could put up.
i know i would not be popular with car makers ,but i like bolt on door skins , bolt on fenders and body on frame. and thanks again Steve
That's called a "Shin Breaker" in the south. Great post.
That Riviera, along with the '71-'72 Grand Prix, the '68-'70 Charger, and the '67-'68 Cougar are some of my absolute favorite cars, with their formal and elegant stateliness. Heck, I'll even throw the '68-'69 Skylark in that list too...
I swear I saw Steve a few weeks ago standing outside of a fancy classic car dealership in auburn talking to someone, I started to lay on the air horn…I’m from SC but I’m always in that part of the country hauling plastics from a couple of big rail yards right around the corner. One of these days I’m going to stop in and buy one of those fancy restored rides to park beside my 71 sublime 340 Duster.
It was High Octane Classics . He sells cars for them Subscribe.
@@Daniel-fd3wp that’s it…been seeing that place for years, never had time to stop in but man have I always wanted to.
One of the most beautiful American cars ever
always great hearing about old cars and trucks! your almost like a soap opera I have to tune in every day to see what is going on!
Love the Riv! Never knew the door skins unbolted. I learned another interesting car fact from the crawl.
I own a 68 Riviera for the past 35 years, I like the 63-65. I love the 66-70 body style and ride. The Boattail Era 71-73 has its own group of fans, I believe the RIVIERA was best the first 10 years.
One of, if not the most beautiful cars to ever come out of Detroit. Love the Gen 1 Rivi!!!
Just think how beautiful it was the day the original owner took it home,,they must have really loved it,, interior was all shiny and smelt good,beautiful car
Whenever I see a Riviera at a car show I am blown away at the high quality of the interior components! All the little knobs and gadgetry are so finely designed and constructed of such high quality materials - and usually only for a one year production run! It’s hard to believe that so much time and engineering prowess was devoted to these details in a (relatively) high-volume production automobile……😮
And that “Silver Arrow” shown in Steve’s magazine? The first thing that hit me when I saw the lines and image of that car was “First Gen Monte Carlo”…….🤔
I thought the same thing about the first generation Monte Carlo. When I saw the grill and head lights I thought 70 to 72 Monte Carlo.
I love the 65 Riviera with the clamshell headlights. Beautiful interiors and the Gran Sport option.
RIVS were always in their own zip code.. until the 80s of course. Thanks for the great education.
Thats a nice car classy and sporty!
I put in a Buick Riviera tilt steering column in my 1955 Ford pickup. Back in the day. Fun times. Keep on crawling!
1st generation Riviera was one of the most beautiful designs all time IMHO.
Always loved the Rivs. I've owned two, 1995 & 1998 ... best cars I've ever owned! ... maybe one day I'll get a 65!
You have an amazing car magazine collection. I like the boat tail Riv best.
One of the best looking underrated full aiWs of the time
We always used a Buick frame and suspension in my dirt track car because of its strength! A small weight penalty but worth it!
It had a 66 Chevelle body that everyone was envious of but it was legal!!😁
A lot of wheels/hubs came off but not us!!
When the body got beat up just weld another one on!! The frame was fine!! The drum brakes worked fine!! Also the differential and transmission were bullet proof!!
We called it a Buvelle!!
Your knowledge of cars never ceases to amaze me Steve. Thanks sir for your Channel
Subbed. A salvage yard walk is like a visit to the cemetery to pay respects with .001% chance of resurrection.
I'm your age. When I was 5 I could name everything on the road. Dad got a kick out of it. But I was more a 70s expert. The 71? the last year of the Polara actually made a 5 year old cry.
As an American car guy..you haven't lived..till you've enjoyed a 63-5 Riviera. Wonderful in every regard and maybe GM's finest automobile. I've owned a 63 and 4
Loved them both
Born and bred into a Ford family, but the '65 Riv is still one of my favorite cars and, sadly, one I'll go to my grave loving and never owning. 💔
Few cars are what I would deem beautiful, but this one sure is. I didn't appreciate it so much 50 years ago, but I sure do today. Great video!
The '65 Buick Riviera Gran Sport is my dream car.
I had a bunch of the 80s riveras, always wanted a clamshell year or one like this, beautiful cars when put together
Its crazy how a few little tiny areas have remained almost showroom condition within inches of complete rot.
Bill Mitchell knew what he was doing, and that it was going to be a winner!!
Steve must drink a pot of coffee before each video ....I have a hard time keeping up. Actually I look forward to each new video.... EXCELLENT WORK !!
He's a Red Bull man.
Awesome videos! 👍
Neat door skins. I never knew that.
".....gee our old LaSalle ran great,
Those were the days ! "
My mom had a 64 Elektra 225 with a dual quad nailhead. She said that was her favorite car she ever owned and the fastest car she ever drove
I've liked the 1st generation Riviera ever since I saw Patrick Swayze buy one at a used car lot in the movie Roadhouse. Those clamshell headlights on the 65s are just flat out cool!
"Massachusetts x-ray vision" LOL
Head and shoulders above the T-Bird. Quite rare in my neighborhood growing up ;)
Those where some beautiful cars! My brother had a 73. That thing was a beauty! Great history and video Steve!
Patrick Swayze drove a Riviera in Roadhouse. It got a stop sign through the windshield. This car has a hole in the windshield. Is that movie car missing?🤔
With GM's self-imposed 50% market share limitation, and with the divisions being autonomous from each other at this time, the competitive edge at GM was kept sharp at this time. Typically between Buick, Olds, and Pontiac one of them was in trouble, and they seemed to take it in turns. When Pontiac slumped enter Bunkie Knudsen. Then it was Buick's turn. The Riviera was just the image boost Buick needed.
Great looking car! Easily in my top 25 favorite car designs ever. So much style and beefy from any angle. My Mom had a ‘63 when I was a fifth grader. I sat in the driver seat and made engine noises, gettin slobber on the inside of the windshield. I would sometimes dream of driving it while I was drifting off to sleep. I’m an old guy now, nearing the end of my career and may buy myself a nice one as a retirement present. I prefer the hidden headlights of the ‘65 but the tail lights above the bumper on the ‘63….so guess either would be ok. Thanks for the look at this one Steve! 👍
another AWESOME VIDEO.....man there is a lot of cool stuff at that place 😎
That one is a 401 Steve. The 425 was for the GS only. Ya can't remember every THING at every second! 🙂
Also I believe all Buicks were an X frame AND a perimeter frame all in one.
I had a '65. It was the only car I ever saw that you could stand up in the MIDDLE of the roof panel and it wouldn't bend!!!
Love Cads, but SO glad Buick got this as the 1st. Rivs were nicely understated.
check your facts Steve is right at least according to my 64 service manual, and research that i have done on my own 64 Riviera. For some reason the 63 & 65 had a 401, but the 64 had a 425
@@philipcaputo841 Oh wow strange! I had no idea. Thanks for the correction.
The old Rivi's looked custom, straight from the factory..
Gee,our old LaSalle ran great.
Those were the days.
One of the finer touches on Buicks of that era, or at least the upper class ones was the fact the bumpers did not have bolt heads that showed on the outside of the bumper. Most cars of that era had something like a carriage bolt with a polished stainless steel cap on it The Buicks and Caddies had the brackets welded inside it bumper so it would not show on the outside.
The X frame deserves a vid. It was used by all gm divisions except olds from 55 to the mid 60s and was a big factor for the push for safety legislation due to its lack of side impact protection. Olds touted their parimeter frame for better safety in ads and the govt used that against gm. Ironic.
Frames made at AO Smith in Milwaukee.
X frame went from 58 to 64.
I have a 63 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday and sure enough, the frame is heavy duty perimeter. Built like a tank.
That one has seen better day's !
About time you got around to one of these. I get to enjoy mine every day. Love that mean look of that front end.
Love the hideaway swingaway headlight on these , the fixed headlamps was a bit Vanilla practical but staid..
Someone I know did spot a 1st generation riviera in a wrecking yard with a 4 speed way back when, didn’t even think about it at the time. Either a custom piece, or a dealer owner special order kind of deal.
The best looking American coupe of its era
Steve knows a lot!
Thank you Steve great work Sir
Thee pinnacle of GM design in my opinion the '65
I never knew the door skins were bolt on.
The level of rust on the cars there is insane.
A friend's mother had one of the boat-tail Rivs with a 455 (I think). It was a fun car to cruise around in. Love the 64 and 65 Rivs, too. Thanks for the info, Steve!
Fantastic! My daughter has a 64 she and I built together. I see lots of good trim bits… wish that it was closer!!
I had 2 64 Rivieras. Wish I had kept them now
Great info. Always interesting.
Good Show.
Love buicks,thanks for sharing that info steve!
I love the history! Thank you
My favorite 65
That Riviera was a pretty grand ride OUAT (Once Upon A Time). The gold and the other metallics like bronze and medium blue were perfect for this sharp styling but they also look good in the shade of white that was available. Not wrecked and you wonder the circumstances that led to it sitting on the ground rotting away in Massachusetts . This yard has great variety but too bad they didn't take care to keep vehicles from direct contact with the ground. Lots of good parts though.
Steve, thanks again, for the good knowledge. Bolt on door skin?. Great idea. More cars should have that. Never before realized the Riv was the first with frameless glass. Surprised by the x-frame, had assumed perimeter frame because they seem so solid. The trunk bracing? DNK.
I do miss that manufacturers once offered distinctly different engines from one another. Nailheads are fantastic torque monsters. With the small valves they also have unique camshaft profiles to help them breath better which gives them a particularly nice sounding exhaust note. I once raced my 65 442 with the 400 against a dual quad 425 Rivera. Before I was out of first gear he was just about a half city block ahead of me. Blew me into the weeds.
64 model came with the turbo 400 automatic, first year for GM. Great Car. Many ThanksMr. Steve!
My uncle had a 65 really cool to a 6 year old... thanks
That looks like an original spare tire.
Thanks for the info Steve!
Probably my most favorite American car, Nailheads are great and run for decades but wouldn't it be fitting to drop a 472, or 500 Caddy drivetrain in?
Always informative Steve, I never knew about the LeSalle connection or the removable door skins. To me, the 65 Riviera will always be Patrick Swayze's car when he bounced at the Double Deuce in Rural Texas in Roadhouse.
Probably one of his old cars!
@@mcqueenfanman Probably, I didn't know he collected cars
I said that like I was talking about the movie character.
@@mcqueenfanman cool
what a pitiful sight. It's crying shame it got to the point of no return. I see T-3 headlights so the mileage on the clock could be original. Great presentation, Steve, as per usual
I've always loved those cars, but I didn't know about the doors. Thank you professor Magnante.
The 1963 through 1965 Riviera were the ones I liked most. Cool styling and nice power.
That thing would have looked amazing with hideaway headlights.
1965 is my favorite year of the Rivieras. I'm a little biased, they're all sharp looking cars.
This car actually nearly became the Eldorado . It was deemed too sporty for Cadillac , so we have the Riviera . I drove one of these for about 20 years . The brakes were the worst design , with steel pressed liners in finned aluminum drums . As it turned out the heat "damming" , restricted the heat from passing from the ferrous lining to the drum . I can tell you first hand , there was a steep learning curve using them . The trap waiting for the uninitiated was spontaneous full lock-up . They behaved different with temperature from one brake application to the next . She was fast and pretty . Got too rusty , sold her in '88 .
Interesting story. My dad loved Buicks. He had a 48, 55,56,57 and 73 Limited (my favorite).
Good stuff, Steve. I enjoy your channel.
Excellent.
Morning Steve! Thanks for another awesome video! Your really firing them out left and right! I love it!