1963 Buick Riviera

2dr Sport Coupe

8-cyl. 401cid/325hp 4bbl

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$28,700*

+7.1%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value Graph04/2407/2410/24$10k$20kJan 2025
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1963-1965 Buick Riviera stats
Number produced **
37,399
Highest sale
$302,500
Lowest sale
$220
Most recent sale
$74,800
Sales
577
** Number produced is specific to this year and configuration.

Photos

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1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 Buick Riviera
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Model overview

Model description

The Buick Riviera started as a pillarless two-door hardtop in 1949 and set a trend that spread throughout the U.S. auto industry. The peak year was 1955 when 738,414 Buicks were sold and the majority were two- and four-door Hardtops. By 1959, sales had dropped to only 232,579 and the Riviera was down to one four-door hardtop model.

Ford’s Thunderbird, however, had morphed into a four-seat “personal luxury car” in 1958 and Buick’s Bill Mitchell was determined to counter that. Legend has it he was in London when he spotted a Rolls-Royce outside Claridge’s at night, and was struck by the combination of curves and angles. He resolved to produce a car with such a combination of design elements, and a fiberglass mockup with the name LaSalle was created in 1960.

Mitchell loved the tall, thin LaSalle grille of the late 1930s but after the Edsel debacle, vertical central grilles were out. Cadillac was selling all the cars it could and Oldsmobile and Pontiac wanted a new model, but they wanted to change Mitchell’s concept. Buick was desperate, and promised to leave it alone.

The new Riviera rode on its own 117-inch wheelbase chassis and the standard engine was a 325 bhp, 401 cid V-8. All Rivieras had the 2-speed Turbine Drive automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes, while air conditioning was a $350 option. A tilt steering column was fitted, along with cruise control.

The body was remarkably like the original show car, a combination of curves and planes with very little brightwork. Side widows were frameless and the doors built with a separate skin, so the mechanism could be precisely adjusted. Door were so long they had two interior handles, one for the rear seat passengers.

The interior was luxurious with vinyl, cloth and vinyl or optional leather bucket seats in front, mirrored in the rear with a depressed center section. Two separate pods of gauges came from the Electra, but the dash swept down to a center console where the gearshift, headlight and wiper switches were located along with front and rear ashtrays, lighters and courtesy lights.

Mitchell’s exact target was the Thunderbird and the Riviera was 3.8 inches longer, 197 pounds lighter and cost $4,333 against the T-Bird’s $4,445. First year 1963 Buick Riviera sales totaled 40,000, against the Thunderbird’s 56,945, counting 42,806 Hardtops and 14,139 Landau Hardtops. However, the Thunderbird also offered a Convertible (5,913) and Roadster (455), while a convertible Riviera was still 19 years in the future.

Buick offered 16 colors for the 1963 Riviera, including Regal Black, Arctic White, Silver Cloud Metallic, Spruce Green, Marlin Blue, Glacier Blue, Willow Mist Metallic, Burgundy Metallic, Teal Mist Poly, Twilight Aqua Poly, Desert Sand, Bronze Mist, Fawn Mist Metallic, Granada Red, Diplomat Blue Poly, and Rose Mist Poly.

Buick concluded 1963 in seventh position in the U.S. auto industry with 479,399 units sold. Car Life tested a 340 bhp, 425 cid Riviera, recording 0-60 in 7.7 seconds. The 401 V8 powered model took 8.1 seconds and covered a quarter mile in 16 seconds.

Vehicle specifications

  • Shipping Weight3998 lbs
  • Vehicle Length208 in
  • Wheelbase - Inches117 in
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Common Questions

The value of a 1963 Buick Riviera can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $28,700 for a 1963 Buick Riviera in good condition with average spec.

The highest selling price of a 1963 Buick Riviera at auction over the last three years was $135,000. The highest prices are usually reserved for rare or exceptionally well-maintained examples with desirable features or modifications and excellent history.

The lowest selling price of a 1963 Buick Riviera at auction over the last three years was $6,561. The lowest prices are usually paid for examples that have extensive maintenance needs, differ greatly from their original configuration, or have accident histories or title problems.

In the last three years there have been 34 1963 Buick Rivieras sold at public auction.

The most recent auction sale of a 1963 Buick Riviera was $28,600 on January 22, 2025 by Barrett-Jackson.

Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.

Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.

Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.

The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.

All prices shown here are based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. The Hagerty Price Guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial advice. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.com/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of The Hagerty Group LLC, ©2025 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Hagerty Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty, Inc.