Remember The Legendary 1963 Buick Riviera? Here's A Look Back At Why Everyone Loved It.

The Riviera’s Legendary Legacy

The 20th century witnessed the launch of various magnificent cars that are a definition of luxury even today. One such icon was the Buick Riviera. Launched in 1963, it dazzled the world with its elegant design. Let’s explore Riviera’s epic journey in frames.

The Birth Of The 1963 Buick Riviera

Revealed as a concept car at the 1963 General Motors Motorama, Riviera made an immediate impact with its “sharp-edge” styling, hidden headlights, and sweeping lines. This masterpiece was designed under General Motors’ design vice president, Bill Mitchell. Its performance and elegance are echoing even today.

Birth Of The Buick Riviera

Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Vision Behind The 1963 Buick Riviera

Buick built the Riviera to compete with the Ford Thunderbird in the “personal luxury” market. Bill Mitchell desired a car with the elegance of a Rolls-Royce and the aggressiveness of a Ferrari. This ambition resulted in the innovation of this magnificent classic.

Vision Behind The Buick Riviera

PATRICE RAUNET, Wikimedia Commons

The 1963 Debut

The first production, the Buick Riviera, came on the market in 1963. It was considered costly, with a base price of $4,333. However, it had an impressive level of standard equipment. It quickly obtained a reputation as a high-performance car, which gave comfort with driving excitement.

1963 Debut Setting The Stage

Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Iconic Features Of The 1963 Riviera

This two-door personal luxury coupe came with a plush interior and a powerful V8 engine. It also had advanced features like power seats and air conditioning. Moreover, every Riviera came with a Twin Turbine automatic transmission and power steering.

Iconic Features Of The Riviera

Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons