West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional example of this mostly all original (apart from a repaint in it's original 'Verde Green Metallic' color) and stock and completely rust free 1965 Buick Riviera with the highly desirable 'Gran Sport' Performance Group with its original matching #'S 425/360HP 2 x 4V (LX Code) V8 Super Wildcat engine and with original 'Super Turbine 400' 3 speed automatic transmission and loaded with original Gran Sport options of dual exhausts, Positraction rear end, performance gearing and factory options of bucket seats, center console with floor shifter, power steering, power driver seat (Cost $74), power brakes, power windows (Cost $110), power antenna, cruise control (Cost $63), dual tone trumpet horns, tilt steering wheel and original AM/FM 'Sonomatic' Buick radio (cost $268)!
Repainted once and professionally in it's original factory 'Verde Green Metallic' (J Code) color paint with it's original factory 'Green' (Code 620) bucket seats and its completely original interior with center console and floor shifter and original styled steel wheels. The car has obviously always been garaged and covered since new! The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any accidents - obviously a garaged and cherished car showing pride of ownership since new!
The car looks extremely impressive with a very professional re-paint it's original factory and very striking 'Verde Green Metallic' color paint and the original and matching 'Green' interior is in exceptional and completely original condition throughout including the headliner with virtually no significant imperfections noticeable anywhere! The dashboard woodwork, the dashboard itself, the carpets and all the seats are in absolutely exceptional condition with virtually no signs of wear and tear! All the chrome-work is in exceptional condition as is the trunk lining and the original spare wheel and jack is located in it's rightful place in the trunk.
The original matching # 425cid/360HP 2 x 4 barrel 'LX' code engine is extremely strong and powerful and this particular car drives absolutely magnificently - must be driven to be believed - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day sports car a run for it's money! The car has also boasts it's original Carter AFB dual quad carbs (3645 front, 3925 rear), original BS code transmission, original Positraction rear end, dual tone trumpet horns, power windows, power driver seat, power steering, cruise control, dual exhausts and it's original 'Buick' AM/FM radio with a power antenna. All the options are working as they should including all 4 power windows and vent windows, power seat, original working radio, power antenna and the legendary electrically operated clamshell headlamps. The transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears, there are no noticeable oil leaks and the temperature always remains cool!
This car was reportedly at the New York Auto show in 1964 from where it was transported to the Buick dealership in Norfolk, VA where it was reportedly sold on 3/5/1965, the day of it's arrival, to Norman L. Sothan, a highly decorated commander in the US Navy, who traded in his 1961 Mercedes 220SE sedan and paid a total of $4,200 for the car. The original owners manuals and coveted 'Protecto Plate' and records from Mr. Sothan will be sold with the car. For the next 42 years he owned the car until it was sold to only it's second owner. It is of note, and maybe of particular interest to some collectors, that the early 'Gran Sports' built through December 1964, have smaller 'Gran Sport' emblems placed on the right rear edge of the trunklid and fenders such as this particular example, which enthusiasts refer to as an 'Early Gran Sport'. Throughout the years, Mr Sothan had overly maintained and cared for the car, using only premium fuel & 'Quaker State' oil and reportedly changing the engine, transmission and Positration rear end fluids at intervals shorter than required and always treating the car in the same manner as he treated his legendary fighter crews jets! Always garaged since new, nevertheless with the passing of time Mr Sothan eventually had to repaint the car as the affects of time were beginning to show so the car was repainted in it's original factory color.
A car for Buick's most affluent customers, known as the 'bankers' car, the 1963-65 Buick Riviera reflected the styling supremo of Bill Mitchell with a masterful blend of curves and razor-edges respected by an army of industrial designers as an architectural landmark of the U.S industry and which has high repute amongst collectors for both it's beautiful lines and smooth fast performance for a luxury coupe. "One of the most beautiful cars America ever built" as stated by none other than Sergio Pininfarina of Ferrari design fame at it's debut at the Paris auto show in 1963. This landmark design of 1963-64 would continue for only two years until 1964 before the hidden headlight change in 1965.
But it wasn't until the arrival of the 1965 Gran Sport that the truly sporty side of this sports car revealed itself. The 'GS' had the gorgeous looks of the Riviera combined with the heart of a true muscle car! Unlike other Buick's, including the youth orientated Wildcat, the Riviera GS came with just one engine and transmission combination. Powering the GS was a potent 425 cid V8 with a 10.25:1 compression ratio. The engine produced 360 HP at 4400 rpm and 465 lbs ft of torque at 200 rpm. It put out .84 hp per c.i., very close to the legendary 1:1 ratio of Chrysler 300's and Corvettes. Hooked up to the 425 was the latest GM three speed Hydra-Matic which in 1965 'Car & Driver' called "without question, the best automatic transmission in the world!"
The Riviera GS had dual four barrel Carter AFB carbs, a dual exhaust system with large diameter pipes and bright metal engine accents including a large chrome plated air cleaner with polished ribbed valve covers! Full wheel covers and Gran Sport lettering below the Riviera script on the deck lid and front fenders helped set the car apart visually. A true Grand Tourer, the GS had a top speed of 123mph and 'Car & Driver' reported a 7.2 second 0-60 time and an even better quarter mile run. In muscle car fashion the GS package also included a heavier front anti-roll bar than the standard Riviera, stiffer shock absorbers, stiffer springs at all four wheels, stiffer bushings in the rear suspension and a higher capacity exhaust system with a beautiful sounding V8 rumble.
This, therefore, is one very rare and highly desirable and collectible original southern California example of one of the outstanding GM designs of the sixties with the 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport being the most desirable of the 1963-65 Riviera series and the top-of-the-line Buick for its year! 1965 was the only year with the concealed ribbed 'Clamshell Headlights' and a restyled rear bumper with inserted tail lights and offered for the first time on a Rivera for $91.38, the popular chrome Buick road wheels with painted charcoal inserts first introduced on the '64 Wildcat. Contributing to the cleaner look was the removal of the non-functioning side scoops. The 1965 model also enjoys high repute amongst collectors for both it's beautiful lines and super smooth and fast performance for a luxury coupe and with this model's very rare and highly desirable options of bucket seats, center console with a floor shifter, power windows, power driver seat and air conditioning, this is indeed one extremely desirable example of a 1965 Buick Riviera with the rare Gran Sport option with the Super Wildcat 425/360HP engine!
In summary, this is one absolutely exceptional and virtually all original apart from one repaint in it's original factory color and turn-key ready to enjoy today example of an always garaged and rust and accident free example with documented ownership history since new and of this increasingly desirable and collectible 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport it's original matching #'s powerful 425/360HP V8 engine! A sure-fire investment that's sure to appreciate over the years for any classic American sixties car collector or simply any Buick enthusiast!
