1964 Buick Riviera

The 1964 Buick Riviera was a landmark car in American automotive history! Here’s the story:

Development & History: The Riviera was the brainchild of Bill Mitchell, GM’s styling chief, who wanted to create Buick’s answer to Ford’s successful Thunderbird in the personal luxury car market. Legend has it Mitchell got the inspiration while in Paris, originally envisioning it as a new LaSalle for Cadillac. The Riviera debuted in 1963 as a 1964 model, riding on a 117-inch wheelbase and measuring 208 inches overall - quite compact by Buick standards.

The Riviera was revolutionary for its razor-sharp styling that set it apart from anything else on the road. It featured frameless door glass and a distinctive formal roofline that made it an instant classic. The car was aimed squarely at the lucrative personal luxury market dominated by the Thunderbird.

Production Numbers: For 1964, Buick produced 37,658 Riviera models (some sources cite 37,958). This was actually down slightly from the 1963 debut year which saw 40,000 units. The Riviera would continue in production with 34,586 units in 1965, bringing the total first-generation (1963-1965) production to 112,544 vehicles.

The Riviera represents one of those 37,658 cars that helped establish Buick in the personal luxury segment. These cars have become highly collectible today, especially well-preserved original examples.

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