Legend Series Muscles Cars of the 60's / 70's (Jan / Feb 90) 

BANKER'S HOT ROD  By : Bob Stevens

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It was one of Detroit’s most glamorous creations. When it had its grand debut in 1963, the all – new Riviera from Buick set the tone for things to come in the personal / luxury car market. The Thunderbird finally had some serious competition from Gerald Motors.

 The Riviera introduction was one of Bill MITICHELL’S PROUDEST MOMENTS. To take such a huge, two – ton mass of metal and chrome and mold it into such a stylish and captivities automobile that afforded the expected levels of comfort, convenience and rich appointments, yet still reflected an appreciation of smooth, clean lines and a personality that was more sporty then snobbish.

 The first two years on the market were encouraging. The first edition tallied 40,000 in sales while the 64’ model managed to grand total of 37,958. Both performances were exceptional considering the cars with a high price tag only marginal practicality.

 In its third season 1965, the Rivera underwent a mild updating that witnessed the introduction of hide-away headlights, which were actually hidden by retractable shields. Also the dual headlamps were stacked vertically for the first time. Other design refinements in the final years of the Rivera’s inaugural edition included: Revised rear quarter trim: mildly reworked grille: revamped rear end treatment with a new bumper hosting relocated tail lamps; and an upgrade equipment list both standard and extra cost.

 The basic menu served up with the ’65 Riviera included: wildcat 325-hp V8; Super Turbine automatic transmission; power steering and brakes; electric wiper and washers; tilt steering wheel; electric cloak; dual exhaust; Delcotron generator back-up lights; map, trunk and glove compartment lights; full carpeting dual horned center console; self adjusting brakes with aluminum drums up front; padded instrument panel; 15 inch wheels; trip meter, bucket seats; floor shifter; walnut paneling; and more. It was obviously equipped, not stripped.

 The basic Riviera was an experience to behold. As Buick copywriters declared: “If just sitting in this car doesn’t do something for you, consider yourself over the hill.” Oddly enough, they were right.  Just plunking one’s carcass into the foam-padded and fully contoured bucket seat is distinct pleaser, and one that is only heightened as the eyes take in all the glitz and glamour of the first edition Riviera in its finest hour.  The walnut and chrome trim literally glistened across the dash and down the full-length console.  It’s one car that doesn’t have to be driven to be enjoyed and appreciated by someone with a taste for the finer things in the automotive world.  And with a little careful attention to the options list the Riviera buyer in ’65 could have added even more luxury and comfort… plus a measurable blast of performance, even in this two-ton heavy-weight.

 The impressive option list accompanying the ’65 Riviera was on the short side, due to the car’s wide range of stranded features, most of which were extra-cost options on other cars if available at all.  Starting off the list was the custom interior with either fabric or genuine leather.  Other key options included air condition, which retailed for $430, AM or AM-FM radio, power antenna, power windows, power seats four-note horn, automatic trunk release, etc. Clearly, though, the most desirable option of all was the Grand Sport, or GS, package.

 Ordering the Grand Sport option enabled the luxury car buyer with a penchant fro-real performance of the tire-chirping variety to satisfy all of his needs in a single machine. The GS package instantly transformed the stylish comfortable, well-appointed luxury car into a true high-performance car without sacrificing any of its elegant qualities. It still provided the same high levels of accommodation for body and mind, with a little tire-burning capability mixed in for the good of the spirit.

 It’s true of course, that the hard-core performance enthusiasts with enough coin in their jeans to buy a new car were opting for the Pontiac GTO, one of the new V- 8 power Mustangs or a new Vette, but now the monies buyer with a certain position in life to preserve could have his speed and sport without suffering a loss of prestige.  The Riviera, quite simply was one of the finer things in life.

 With the GS package, it was also one of the fastest things in life. At the hart of this lux-cruiser was the 425-cube big block Buick V- 8 that carried a 360-horse-power rating. Standard gear for this huge power plant, which was called the Super Wildcat by Buick, ranged from two four-barrel carburetors to a dual exhaust system with enlarged exhaust pipes and reduced backpressure.

 The Grand Sport’s Super wildcat mill reached its peak power at 4,400 rpm, while its maximum torque output of 465 lbs.-ft. was realized at 2,8000 rpm.  The compression ratio was a healthy 10.25:1 Premium leaded fuel, the best available, made the hard-charging Super Wildcat purr like a kitten, even when under full throttle operation.

 There was only one Transmission available in the Riviera GS, and it was the Super Turbine 400 Automatic, Consisting of hydraulic torque converter and a three speed planetary transmission. First gear was 2.48 followed by 1.48 and 1.00 ratios for second and third.  Power was pumped to the rear axle, where a 3.42 ratio was used in a limited-slip application. No other ratios were available on the GS.

 The Grand Sport package presented a substantial increase in power a 401-cid V-8 base Riviera, with a single four- barrel rated at 325 hp, the super Turbine automatic, and a 3.23 rear end ratio. It was a powerful setup, but measurably short of the Super Wildcat’s awesome deliverance.

 Despite the high leave of equipment of the GS, there were still a few performance items that could be added. Buick was obviously quite serious about this performance version of its luxury personal car.  For those who wanted it, the flint-based automaker offered heavy-duty suspension with firmer springs, shocks absorbers, rear track bar bushings and faster steering.  Also, a built-in tachometer was offered.

 Buick was right on the mark when it presented the new Grad Sport: “Here’s a new optional version of the Riviera for those whose love of performance is insatiable” And Buick made sure that others knew that the GS driver was wheeling around in something even more special than a Riviera. Grand Sport emblems were plastered on the front fenders, the rear panel below the trunk line, and the dashboard.  To impress service station attends (who at that time still looked under the hood occasionally), a chrome finish was specified for the super-size air cleaner shielding that dual-quad setup and polished, ribbed valve covers were adapted to the Super Wildcat V-8.  Also part of the package was full-size wheel covers with the GS emblem in the center, although all GS examples we’ve seen were fitted with Buick’s mag-style wheels.

 It was a handsome and very functional package, that Grand Sport option. Unfortunately, it’s unknown exactly how many were equipped with the high performance option, but it couldn’t have been on too many of the 34,586 Riviera cranked out in the ’65 model run. The basic Riviera, model 49447 in the 494005()900001 on up.  The first five numbers (49400) indicated the car’s base series, while the sixth digit (5) denotes the model year 1965.  The seventh entry was a number designating the plant at which the car was assembled.  This is indicted by the bracketed space left empty. The final six digits reflect the car’s specific production sequence. The serial number of our feature car is 494475H966244.

 The Riviera Grand Sport pictured here is a flam red beauty equipped with air conditioning, AM/FM radio, power antenna, power windows wood wheel, and custom cloth interior and vinyl top. Lawrence W. Smiecinski, an account representative in Warren, Mich., bought the car in 1983 after running a want ad in a local paper.  He acquired the rare luxury/sport machine from its third caretaker, who in turn, had purchased the car from the original owner in September of 1965.

 The car was in suburb condition when Smiecinski drove it home nearly seven years ago, but it did require a full repaint, which was performed by Ron Christensen of Warren Mich.  A few other parts were replaced or upgraded, and the beauty gracing these pages was created.  Overall, the current owner estimates that his car has undergone about 50-percent restoration.

 It was a very worthwhile project, of course, but it was also quite a challenge.  Parts were extremely difficult to locate.  In the resects the early Rivera’s are tough enough themselves, let alone the rare GS edition.  Everything was hard to find, but the original-style trunk material was virtually impossible.  He searched for five years before finally locating some from the owner of a 1964 Riviera in Flint, Mich.

 Smiecinski is a devoted Riviera enthusiast. He’s a member of the Buick Club of America, the Classic Muscle car club and the Riviera Owners Assn., and owns three more ’65 Riviera, including another Grand Sport, a black one. But the red ’65 Grand Sport is still the special one of the bunch. With its super sharp unmolested interior, factory vinyl top and original v-8 engine.  He drives the car regularly, usually on nice weekends, and to a number of shows each season, including at least one that is several hindered miles away.  It’s good he suggested, exercising that big dual-quad Buick mill at highway speeds at least once a year.

 “I have always liked the style of the 1963-65 Buick Riviera,” Smiecinski says, “but I especially wanted the Grand Sport because of the large engine and that factory dual-quad setup.”  To say he ‘s enthused about this luxury ride would be an understatement.

 He’s not along in that respect. Others fortunate enough to own one of the Grand Sport versions are equally pleased with their special Rivera’s. The staff at Car And Diver back in 1965 was also excited about the most expensive car fielded by Buick that model year.

 “Every Riviera we ever drove was a swinger—from the very beginning  --and the Grand Sport has better suspension than the standard Rivera’s, more power, and it looks like a winner,” reported the magazine writers, adding “and as it turns out, it is a winner!”

 Car and Driver’s test machine, which was equipped with the same mag-stype wheels shown on our feathered car, was painted a dark shade of green and pretty well equipped. The testers, who racked up serial hundred miles of highways driving before retuning the Riviera GS to Buick, were really sold on this car. They loved the rich interior with its simulated oiled walnut appointments, handsome dash with fancy. Instrumentation and comfortable seating accept the rear where they found it a bit to cramped. Highway performance, they bragged, was exemplary. With four adults and their luggage on board, the Car and Driver folks set the cruise control at 77 mph and settled back for a full-length run from Detroit to Chicago on I-94.

 Describing the experience as  “Indecent luxury.” The editors observed, “Crisping this way is absolutely effortless in the Riviera. It’s quiet and smooth and the driver is free to shift his position. The front deaths are really first class,” The same level of comfort was not afforded the two occupants in the rear, however, where legroom was found to be lacking.

 There were no surprises with the evaluation, however, as one expects top-rate comfort and luxury in a classy and expensive car like the Riviera. But how did the Grand Sport’s powerful engine and stiffer suspension mate with all that weight (in excess of two tons) and all that luxury? The results were mixed.

 The Grand Sport’s handling surprised us twice.  We negotiated a high-speed turn at eighty and found that the car was rock steady with minimal roll.  The handling seemed to be gradually and predictably changing from under steer to overseer, and we liked it.  Then we charged a thirty-mph bend just about as hard and the Riviera plowed like something you’d find in an Iowa cornfield. Like it was virtually out of control, lost and heading for the ditch,” With some quick steering and brake work the testers avoided the ditch, but were a bit alarmed at the Rivera’s strange behavior in that particular situation.  Except for some susceptibility to stiff crosswinds, they found the GS to be otherwise acceptable in the handling department.

 They also liked the Grand Sport’s heavy-duty suspension.  This is  “a very stable platform for the enthusiastic driver.”

 The Grand Sport’s 360-hp 425 cube V-8 was described as “strong” and its three speed automatic transmission was declared “the best automatic transmission in the world without question,” with the Chrysler’s automatic finishing a close second.

 The Riviera GS, the Car and Driver testers summarized, “goes well, rides smoothly, and corners better then most and –thanks to Buick’s long time concern with brakes stops with great authority.  The Riviera, either in standard trim or in the Grand Sport, is one of the country’s best offerings to the automotive world.”

 How many cars—then or now—can offer the kind of luxury, road manners and rubber-laying performance of the ’65 Riviera Grand Sport?  Precious few, o is certain, and the Buick offering is wrapped in some of the nicest packaging ever conceived on a Detroit drawing board.