Car of the Week: 1963 Buick Riviera

[dodgechargerfan]

Bill Mawby sure loves his 1963 Buick Riviera these days. He just can’t figure out why he didn’t love Rivieras years ago.

“My step-dad was the head mechanic at the local Chevy-Buick garage, and for the life of me I do not remember the Rivs,” chuckles the resident of Stevens Point, Wis. “I was die-hard Pontiac. I liked GTOs before it was fashionable, and I was bound to get another Pontiac, but I’m really glad we got this. I’m learning every day new things about the car and how things go together. It’s really been a lot of fun.”

The stunning Arctic White Riviera coupe has also turned Mawby’s affection for cars into more of a family affair by recruiting his wife Liz. She had a sentimental attachment to the Rivieras that ultimately made their ’63 Buick a perfect choice as a hobby car.

“She had the tie to this car because her grandparents had a ’63 Arctic White Riviera just like this one, and they gave it to Grandma, and Grandma had let her drive her Riviera when she was 15 and had her temporary license,” Bill said.

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[71ChargerRT]

I've always liked Rivieras, '63-'65 especially.

 

[Not A Duster]

Like that.

Headlights in the grille look a little awkward, but that's a minor quibble on a nice car.

 

[Dr.Jass]

I liked GTOs before it was fashionable...

Seriously, dude, just say, "I'm a douchebag." It's easier and less time-consuming. GTOs were fashionable before you knew they existed, you knob.

A friend of mine had one of these "stashed" (his euphemism for "rusting away in a field") for many years. It was a dark-blue 401 car that wasn't really in bad shape other than neglect. I'm sure it's long rotted away, though... it wasn't a Mopar and he never made time for it. That's a shame, because they really are cool cars. I prefer the later iteration with the clamshell hideaways, though.

 

[68R/T]

These first gen rivs have a look of their own. I never did care for the later, longer boat-tail rivs. :dgt: