Featured here is a sleek stylish 1964 Buick Riviera. Buick built a reputation for designing real head turners with solid performance and the Riviera model is no exception. Buick is considered a more affordable high end luxury car. The Buick Riviera nameplate was used for several decades, lasting from 1963 through 1999.
1964 Buick Riviera Styling
The 1964 Riviera was designed by General Motors well known stylist Bill Mitchell.
The styling of the 1964 Buick Riviera goes back one model year when Buick introduced a very stylish new model. The 1964 models have a few distinctive features unique to that year, including a stand-up hood ornament, revised Riviera scripts on the front fender and tri-shield emblems on the tail lights. A wood simulated steering wheel was available starting in 1964. The Riviera’s interior was essentially unchanged with bucket seats and a center console. Leather was not used for the upgraded interior but rather vinyl or a combination of vinyl and fabric.
Sales for 1964 were nearly as good as they were for 1963, with 37,658 cars moving out of Buick dealerships; no doubt, that slight drop in sales was due to the Riviera’s relatively newly introduced competition from Chevrolet.
Ford’s Thunderbird also competed against the Riviera. Comparing the Buick Riviera and it’s styling changes to the Ford Thunderbird, the T-Bird had it;s share of major changes as well. The Ford Thunderbird went from an original two-seater to a four seater and at one time had a design that made it appear as a mid size car.
1964 Buick Riviera Specifications
The 1964 Buick Riviera was offered with a choice of two V-8’s. The standard engine was the 425 cubic inch, overhead-valve V8 with 340 HP. Optional was a ‘Super Wildcat 425 cubic inch V-8 with dual Carter four-barrel carburetors along with dual exhausts and delivering 360 HP. The 64 Buick Riviera was rated at 3.4 seconds 0-60 and 7.2 seconds 0-100. Top speed was rated at 126 MPH.
Transmissions are a three speed manual and a three speed automatic.
Four wheel drum power brakes were standard on the 64 Riviera. Power steering was also standard.
Suspension consisted of double wishbones in the front and in the rear a live axle located by trailing arms and a lateral track bar.
Dimensions on the 64 Buick Riviera include a 117.0 inch wheelbase, 208.0 inch overall outside length, 76.6 inch width, 53.2 inch height. Curb weight is 4,210 lbs.
Total 1964 Buick Riviera Production came in at 37,655 vehicles. Total 1964 Buick production was 510,500.
Related articles from Auto Museum Online include…
1970 Buick Skylark Convertible
Reference material for this article included..Buick Riviera : 1963-1973 by author Norm Mort…The Riviera Owners Association…Buick Riviera Performance Portfolio 1963-1978
The 1956 Buick Riviera Collector Car
The first generation Buick Riviera’s have become popular with classic car collectors and have solid values but at the same time don’t command the very high prices garnered from some other models built during the mid to late 1960’s.
The Buick Rivera in addition to it’s luxury also has a strong following because of it’s performance and horsepower. The Wildcat V-8’s delivered up to 360 HP in the 1964 Riviera’s.
Currently, first generation Buick Riviera’s in excellent condition similar to our featured model will be found in a range from about $25,000 to $39,000. There are offerings both higher and lower but aside from mileage and general condition, the higher values represent models with original equipment including the Wildcat and Super Wildcat engines.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)