There’s an argument to be made that if not for the 1963 Corvette, the 1963 Riviera would have been the definitive automotive design of the 1960s. It broke with tradition in so many ways, offering presence without excess and a grown-up look that was instantly identifiable and very upscale. The fact that they were also motivated by one of the most powerful engines of the time, Buick’s 401 cubic inch “Nailhead” V8 and filled with the finest materials you could buy, and it’s easy to understand why this was the car to own if you were someone on the way up. In retrospect, it’s kind of heartbreaking to see just how badly General Motors lost its way when you realize that cars like this 1965 Riviera were coming out of GM factories and pretty much defining the market.

Substantially original and showing just 69,996 original miles, this beautiful Verde Green 1965 Riviera represents American luxury at its peak in the 1960s. There were bigger cars, there were more powerful cars, and there were cars that cost more, but few put everything together this well. It was repainted just once, perhaps 20 years ago, and the formula is so close to the factory finish that it would be easy to pass this off as original paint. The bodywork underneath is laser-straight and there’s absolutely zero evidence that this car has ever been wrecked or rusty. The finish shines up beautifully and glows the way only vintage lacquer or enamel can (it is not modern urethane, so the shine looks right), and the doors, hood, and trunk open and close with precision. All of this strongly suggests a high-quality original car with no skeletons in its closet.

By 1965, the Riviera finally looked the way Bill Mitchell originally envisioned it, complete with folding “clamshell” headlights up front, giving it a distinctive and very appealing look. But the Riv’s biggest claim to fame might be what it’s not: it isn’t a flashy, chrome-laden luxury barge, it’s not a city block long with gargantuan overhangs, and it’s not a 6-seater land yacht, and those are all factors that will contribute to its future collectability. Make no mistake, this is a big car, but the way the shape conceals that mass is part of the design’s brilliance. Ribbed rocker panel trim, which is in good condition, wrap-around bumpers, and a few chrome details all stand out against the dark green paint.

According to Riviera Owner’s Association historians, only 560 1965 Rivieras were equipped with the code 610 green cloth and vinyl trim before it was discontinued early in the model year. In comparison to so many early Rivs with all-vinyl upholstery, the cloth looks spectacular and is very well preserved with no rips, tears, splits, or even any significant fading. The front buckets are still firm and the rear seat, which was clearly designed for only two passengers, is virtually unused. It’s very, very rare to find a car this well preserved. There’s some light fading of the woodgrained appliques on the door panels and center console, particularly around the shifter quadrant, but otherwise the interior is in outstanding condition. Carpets are protected by matching rubber mats and all the weather seals are still supple, so the big Riv seals up like a tomb at speed. The instrument panel is comprised of two big, round dials ringed in chrome, giving the dashboard a jeweled, high-quality look and you can see that the guys in charge of the look were artists more than engineers. Even the shifter is a neat little piece of ‘60s industrial sculpture. Everything is fully functional except the clock, which should be no surprise, and it’s nice to see that the trunk carries all its original mats and covers, which is another rare find. Underneath, you’ll find no surprises, just solid sheetmetal still wearing factory red oxide primer.

So there’s a lot of style, but how does it drive? Superbly. The quality of GM products, Buicks in particular, in the early ‘60s was possibly the finest in the world and this Riviera is proof that low-mileage, original cars deserve the extra attention they’ve been receiving in the market lately. The big 401 cubic inch V8 starts almost instantly without much poking or prodding and settles into an idle so smooth you’d swear that it had stalled. There’s a husky mechanical sound that’s almost sub-sonic, the sound of big horsepower waiting to run, and it’s insanely appealing. The engine bay is quite original and nicely kept, not over-done and not deteriorated, but just what you’d expect for a car that’s been loved for 50 years. The Nailhead’s distinctive valve covers give it away, and the ‘445’ on the air cleaner represents the torque figure, which isn’t hard to believe given how quickly this car accelerates. Details like the hoses and tower hose clamps, overflow cans, wiring, and other incidentals are factory-correct, suggesting that when replacement time came, the owner was careful to put it back the way the factory intended. Recent work includes a full tune up of the ignition system, a new fuel filter, and a fresh fuel pump, so it runs like it should.

Buick’s venerable Dynaflow transmission was phased out, and all 1965 Rivieras carried the all-new Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission, a gearbox legendary for its indestructibility. Shifts are crisp and not hidden from the driver, suggesting Buick knew the strong ties between a car and its owner, and the 3.23 gears out back are an ideal combination for a machine this heavy and with this much torque. It’ll cut and thrust through traffic, yet loafs along on the highway without apparent effort. The suspension is as-new, with a taut, buttoned-down feeling that’s hard to articulate, but if you’ve driven quality survivors, then you know what I’m talking about. This is as close to the new car feel as you’re going to get from something that’s been around for five decades. The exhaust system is newer and isn’t totally correct, although it does use dual pipes, a proper transverse muffler, and twin tips exiting under the rear bumper and sounds just right: muscular without being loud. And quite honestly, Buick’s Road Wheels are arguably the best-looking hoops to ever come on a factory car in the ‘60s with these wearing 225/75/15 Firestone wide whitewalls that look exactly right on the big Buick.

This is one of those times where buying a quality car pays dividends. Rivieras are on my short list of cars that will be worth more in five years than they are today, and the one to own is a ’65 model with the hidden headlamps. It also has no needs, saving you the expensive process of sorting out one of these very labor-intensive cars. An excellent example at a price that will seem like a bargain in just a few years.