The first-generation Buick Riviera, built from 1963 to 1965, is one of Detroit’s most groundbreaking designs in an era full of remarkable creations. The avant-garde Coke bottle lines with hidden headlights balanced its sinister sportiness.
Its admirers included legendary designers such as Raymond Loewy - opens in new window or tab. and William Lyons. Sergio Pininfarina - opens in new window or tab. called it one of the most beautiful American cars ever made. That’s high praise.
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The second-generation Riviera, built from 1966 to 1970, is often overshadowed by its predecessor. Early examples like this 1967 Riviera GS recently listed on eBay are severely underrated.
Buick Brawn
Sizzling with mid-century sleekness
The second-gen Riv is bigger and not quite as svelte as the previous model, but it fit in the muscle car era. For the first two years, it retained the pontoon-style front fenders that made the first generation so distinctive. Meanwhile, the rear got wider and brawnier, in line with the Skylark - opens in new window or tab. and its GM cousins the Chevelle - opens in new window or tab. and Pontiac GTO - opens in new window or tab.. The pointed grille and hideaway headlights continued, offering a dash of mid-century sleekness.
The Riviera rides on General Motors’ E-body platform. While chassis-mates like the Oldsmobile Toronado - opens in new window or tab. and Cadillac Eldorado - opens in new window or tab. became front-wheel-drive barges, the Riviera retained its performance-oriented rear-wheel-drive layout. Its larger dimensions made it heavier, and the carry-over engines for 1966 felt underpowered.
The most distinctive factory air cleaner of all time?
In 1967, Buick rectified that with this new 430 cubic inch V-8 - opens in new window or tab., making 360 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. As such, the Riviera GS for sale is arguably the ultimate second-gen car. This was the only year the new motor and the sharp design overlapped. Buick’s gigantic 455 V-8 - opens in new window or tab. was added to the Riviera in 1970. By then, the styling was less distinctive.
The Buick Riviera GS Is Out of This World
Sinister sportiness, from nose to tail
The car recently offered on eBay is a numbers-matching 430-equipped 1967 Riviera. It’s a Gran Sport trim, the top performance grade at the time. In the 10 years they’ve owned it, the seller put on only 500 of the car’s 57,800 miles. The first owner must have checked off every box on the options list because it’s loaded to the gills with goodies like:
- 3.42:1 positraction rear differential
- Front disc brakes with four-piston calipers
- Power seats
- Air-conditioning
Get out the detailing brushes.
The design bristles with funky mid-century touches like the horizontally lined grille, square scrolling speedometer, and chrome trapezoidal door panels. The V-8 sports a four-barrel carburetor with the otherworldly Rivera GS “Star Wars” air cleaner—a red spaceship-looking box that sits on top of the engine.
A $35,000 Buy It Now price is quite fair for a Rivera GS of this condition. The engine and interior could use a detail, but otherwise the car appears to be incredibly clean. One thing’s for sure, it will stand out among the countless Camaros and Mustangs at any classic American car show. With the 1967 Buick Riviera you have an excellent opportunity to own a piece of muscle car era coolness with a touch of class.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.