The short version of this 1963 Buick Riviera is that it's a very tidy southern car with factory A/C and a cool color combination. If not for a certain split-window Corvette, a very good argument could be made that this was the most spectacular car built in 1963, and today the design is holding up beautifully, with chiseled good looks that look like nothing else on the road. And while these cars were always second-class citizens in the collector car world, the market has recently discovered how gorgeous they are to look at and how wonderful they are to drive. As a result, prices are inching up steadily and finding a good, solid, original car is getting more challenging all the time.

The cowl tag says this one was originally code C Arctic White, so that's what it's wearing today. Hailing from Tennessee, this super straight Riv wears the paint extremely well, with ripple-free bodywork, good gaps, and crisp character lines that make the most of Bill Mitchell's greatest effort. Finish quality is very good, certainly in line with the very reasonable price tag, and as far as we can tell, that's all original sheetmetal on the car. The doors open and close easily without a big slam and gaps are good all around. The cool creases on the roof are almost sharp enough to give you a paper cut and if you sight down the sides of the car, you'll find that someone invested a lot of time in blocking the bodywork before a drop of paint was sprayed. The chrome is probably original, and in good condition, but there are a few light signs of age such as some fading on the hood ornament and some discoloration on the rear bumper from the exhaust, but overall it presents quite well. Heck, there's even minimal pitting on the important parts like the parking light lenses and trim at the base of the rear window. We did just replace the taillight bezels and lenses with some nice originals and they look exactly right on the car.

The code 726 silver vinyl interior is simply spectacular. It's much too nice to be original, but then again, I don't know of anybody creating reproductions that are this exacting. Either way, it's extremely nice and very upscale-looking. Seat belts have been fitted and the steering wheel is most certainly original, but overall it's attractive as well as unusual. The dashboard is a beautiful combination of black camera-case textured surfaces and brushed metal, a very period look that seems upscale and elegant to us today. The two big, round dials for the driver include a speedometer (with speed alert) and warning lights for the secondary functions. You'll note that this car has factory A/C which has been recently serviced and filled with R134a refrigerant so it'll be easy to recharge should it be necessary in the future. The original AM/8-track radio still lives up high in the dash, although it's sadly not operational, and the ventilation controls are neat aircraft-type sliders under the dash hood. Demerits include a crack in the dash pad under the glove box opening, a glove box lid that doesn't quite fit perfectly, and, of course, the clock doesn't work. On the other hand, the gauges are bright and crisp, the chrome and trim is excellent, and there are Buick-logo floor mats keeping it protected. The trunk is upholstered with a correct mat and there's a full-sized spare and jack assembly just in case.

If you haven't experienced the power of a Nailhead V8, this is a great opportunity. Actually, I should say it's torque that you'll be experiencing, and this big luxury coupe moves like a muscle car thanks to the robust 401 cubic inch Buick V8. Not shared with any other division, this smooth powerplant is the ideal choice for the Riviera. We don't believe it's the original engine, but it is a correct J-code 401 that was unique to the 1963 Rivieras, so it's right. It's detailed with corporate turquoise engine enamel and a big red air cleaner up top that's just a decal away from being OEM correct. You can see evidence of both clean southern living as well as recent service work in the radiator, A/C system, and alternator, and the overall condition is pretty good, perfect for a driver (this is not a show car, but you already knew that). A weekend spent really scrubbing the little nooks and crannies would make this a high-quality engine bay. It also runs quite well, starting with a surprisingly robust bark from the recent dual exhaust system and there are no disappointments on the road where its torque curve is as wide and flat as Death Valley.

The original Turbine Drive transmission was a descendant of the Dynaflow, but when it was time for repairs, it was instead replaced with a more familiar TH400 3-speed automatic which is responsive and crisp-shifting and a lot easier for which to find parts and service. Tallish 3.23 gears in back make it a fantastic highway cruiser that feels like it could run forever without getting tired. Smooth road manners, powerful brakes, and a well-sorted suspension give this car the feel of a much more contemporary machine. The floors are unquestionably original, and while there are two patches that appear to be cut from a donor vehicle, there is nothing that should raise any eyebrows in the future. It's good to go with no festering rust and plenty of evidence of a life lived away from salt and snow. Air shocks out back help it maintain an even keel no matter the load and it sits on factory steel wheels with wire hubcaps and relatively recent 235/75/15 whitewall radials.

Early Rivieras are not going to get more affordable and if I had to pick five cars that were going to be worth more in five years than they are today, this car would be on that list. Great colors, beautiful interior, and pleasing road manners all add up to a first-rate hobby car at a price that just can't be beat. Call today!