Sixties Style Meets Modern Muscle in a 1964 Riviera

A mid-century icon is making a confident case for itself on the auction block. This 1964 Buick Riviera, finished in radiant Granada Red over a black vinyl interior, marries classic American grand touring design with subtle updates that make it easier to enjoy today. Offered by a private seller in Florida, the coupe retains its numbers-matching Wildcat 465 425-cubic-inch V8 and three-speed Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission—hallmarks of the Riviera’s blend of elegance and muscle. It comes with a broadcast sheet, service manual, original owner’s guide, a new glovebox liner, new front seat foam, and a clear title.

The first-generation Riviera earned its reputation by pairing crisp, tailored lines with an understated sense of speed, and this example holds true to that formula. The paint lends depth to the car’s long hood and sweeping roofline, while chrome bumpers and the single driver-side mirror bring a period-correct sparkle. The Riviera’s signature C-shaped body-side trim adds visual motion, culminating in a rear view punctuated by dual exhaust outlets with lightly blued tips—an honest, evocative detail that hints at the big V8’s appetite.

Underneath, 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels complete the car’s confident stance. They’re wrapped in 235/75 all-season Mavis Highway Touring radials that suit the Riviera’s grand touring mission. Power drum brakes sit behind those wheels, true to period design, and air shocks at the rear help maintain composure and ride height—useful for a long-legged cruiser engineered to devour interstate miles with ease.

Open the door and the interior blends classic restraint with mid-century glamour. Black vinyl covers the front and rear seats, while wood accents on the door panels and center stack provide warmth and contrast. Period-correct amenities—power windows, power steering, and factory-style air conditioning—underscore Buick’s original promise of quiet, effortless travel. A retro-look AM/FM head unit with Bluetooth capability discreetly updates the entertainment without disturbing the Riviera’s original aesthetic.

The driver’s view remains purposefully clean: a 140-mph speedometer and fuel gauge set the tone for businesslike touring. The odometer reads 46,566 miles, though the title lists the car as mileage-exempt. Taken together, the details speak to a car that’s been kept faithful to its origins, with a few thoughtful touches that make it more usable in modern traffic.

The focal point, naturally, is the engine bay. Buick’s 425-cubic-inch Wildcat 465 V8 is a legend for good reason—factory-rated at 340 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, aided by a 10.25:1 compression ratio. True to its nameplate, it delivers immediate, confident thrust that suits a luxury coupe of this stature. In 2024, the carburetor was replaced with a Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection system, a smart upgrade that improves cold starts, drivability, and fuel delivery without changing the character of the engine. The power flows rearward through the Super Turbine 400 automatic, an ideal partner for a car that was built to glide as much as it was to go.

The Riviera’s appeal is as much about presence as performance. This example’s tasteful updates, from the EFI conversion to the discreet audio upgrade, don’t chase novelty—they aim for reliability, refinement, and respect for the original design. The look is timeless, the cabin is comfortable, and the mechanicals promise torque-rich progress with that characteristic Buick smoothness. It’s the kind of classic that makes modern traffic feel like a backdrop, not a burden.

Documentation and extras add to the confidence factor: the included broadcast sheet and original owner’s guide provide a link to the car’s past, while the service manual and recent interior components suggest an owner who took the details seriously. The clear title keeps the path to ownership straightforward.

If you’ve been waiting for a Riviera that balances authenticity with thoughtful modernization, this could be the one. It’s currently up for bids, with the auction scheduled to close on December 1, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. As values continue to recognize the Riviera’s unique place among American GTs, well-presented, numbers-matching examples with tasteful upgrades are increasingly desirable—especially in a standout color like Granada Red.

Whether you’re drawn by the Riviera’s sculpted profile, its deep well of torque, or the way it turns a highway into a horizon-chasing exercise, this 1964 coupe offers an inviting mix of style and substance. It’s a car that wears its era proudly while embracing the kind of subtle engineering enhancements that make classic ownership more rewarding today.

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