If not for a certain split-window coupe that also debuted in 1963, the Buick Riviera would have been the most important car of the 1960s. There’s plenty of lore about its gestation, including starting as a Cadillac LaSalle design study, but the bottom line is that the 1965 Buick Riviera is one of those times where everything came together exactly right to create a truly remarkable car. The fact that they’ve been overlooked by collectors for so long is almost criminal, but they are finally showing up on serious collectors’ radars and with the six-figure auction sale of a ’65 Riv earlier this year, the tides are surely changing. We’ve found that nobody doesn’t like these cars, and if you take the time to get to know a first-gen Riv, you’ll find a high-end car that drives like it looks: amazing.

Dressed in its original code Y Bamboo Cream, this ’65 Riviera is simply STUNNING in person. It has a long-term ownership history with just three caretakers over the course of its life, including the first owner who loved it so much he bought it from his employer where he was using it as a company car. He kept it until 1991, when it went to its second owner who did a few small upgrades and eventually repainted it, but mostly enjoyed it as-is. In fact, it was so nice that it appeared in the July/August 1995 issue of “Special Interest Autos.” So this was never a shabby car that needed an extensive restoration. That second owner kept it until he passed away, when the third owner, a retired Buick dealer, acquired it from his estate just a few years ago.

Today it remains in fantastic condition throughout, with that 1990s repaint holding up exceptionally well—it must have been a very expensive paint job. There are no cracks, no fading, and very few signs of use, and it was obviously a full disassembly job because there are no tape marks and no overspray. It’s just gorgeous. Bamboo Cream does nothing to hide the car’s size, making this an imposing piece of luxury that demands respect on the street. There is no evidence of rust or rot anywhere on the car, no patches, no repairs, no wavy bondo work, just clean original sheetmetal that has always been treated with respect. New weather seals mean that the doors need a bit of a slam to secure, but you won’t argue with the way it seals up. The ’65s, of course, finally featured the “clamshell” headlights that were part of the intended design from the start, and thanks to a new motor, they work properly (note that this is a late ’65 car, so you need to turn on the ignition for the lights to close—apparently owners were killing batteries demonstrating the lights to their friends). Detailing is exquisite, with fresh chrome on both bumpers, an excellent grille, and no pitting on the pot metal pieces like the headlight covers and taillights. The restrained use of chrome makes the Riv look especially muscular, not delicate, but there’s enough to remind everyone that this was Buick’s top-of-the-line and it wasn’t cheap.

In that 1995 magazine article, the car was still wearing its original interior, but at some point more recently it received an all-new black vinyl interior that looks great. It’s a little different than you would have received from the factory, most notably the embroidered “R” emblem on the seat backs, but the sporting vertical pleats and high-quality workmanship certainly suite the Riv just fine. New carpets were installed at the same time, but the door panels, console, dash pad, and headliner all appear to be original and in fantastic condition. That should tell you all you need to know about how well-maintained this car really is. Better yet, this Riviera is LOADED with just about every available option: power windows, power seat, power antenna, rear defroster, cruise control, tilt wheel, Sonomatic AM radio, rear seat door latches, remote trunk release, and a speed minder system. This car also includes rear seat belts, which, remarkably enough, were optional in 1965. Everything works except the clock, which wants to work but gives up after a few hours—probably just lubrication. The wood veneers on the doors and center console are in excellent condition, the chrome shines, and all the courtesy lights come on when you open the doors. In back, you’ll find a freshly restored trunk compartment with proper tan sisal mats and a matching spare tire cover, plus a correct jack assembly.

Buick’s “Nailhead” V8 is legendary, and by 1965 it was an absolute torque factory. This is the base engine, but that’s like saying Batman is a lesser superhero—with a towering 445 pounds of torque as advertised on the air cleaner, it makes the massive Riv feel much lighter on its feet than you’d expect. In fact, myriad improvements to the 1965 models resulted in a superior driving experience all around. This is also the car’s original, numbers-matching engine, as verified by a VIN stamp on the block, and it was reportedly rebuilt in the early 2000s by the previous owner before his death. It runs superbly, starting quickly with a single push of the throttle and turn of the key, and settling into an easy, smooth idle with enough of a burble to let you know this isn’t a garden-variety car. That was luxury in the 1960s: not isolation, but the feel of expensive machinery doing its business. It was also painted in correct Buick Green engine paint (many cars you see use a more turquoise color that’s not correct) and wears accessory finned valve covers that add a little brightwork to the engine bay. It’s very authentic, with no questionable modifications or sketchy service work in its past. Oh, and yes, the optional 4-note horns sound like a freight train coming through—don’t use them when people are under the hood, you’ll make their ears bleed.

There’s more big news underneath, where the 1965 Rivieras received the all-new TH400 3-speed automatic transmission in place of the old Dynaflow and Hydra-Matic units used previously. Thoroughly modern and utterly indestructible, it makes the most of the Nailhead’s prodigious output, always putting itself in the right gear so that the Riv catapults itself down the road with ease. With 3.23 gears in a housing big enough for a dump truck, it’s an effortlessly high-speed cruiser that eats up highway miles without working hard, and the ride is as luxurious as you’d expect. No, this is not a sports car. It is competent, secure, and with those oversized aluminum drums, braking is impressive—who needs discs? Please note that the undercarriage is mostly original, so it isn’t shiny and perfect, but it’s quite clean and there’s no evidence that this car ever spent time in winter weather. There’s also a recent stainless steel exhaust system that sounds just about right, using small mufflers up front and a correct transverse muffler in back. There’s also a new gas tank, recent shocks, new front springs, and many other service items that make it ready to drive. It wears correct Buick Road Wheels, which “Car and Driver” magazine called “the greatest looking wheels that ever went round and round,” and they’re wrapped in recent 225/75/15 whitewall radials.

Documentation is pretty good, including the original manuals, warranty booklet with Protect-O-Plate (which interestingly shows Interstate Advertising Corporation as the first owner), the aforementioned “Special Interest Autos” magazine where the car was featured, and several other publications where this car has been shown. This is apparently a very popular car for magazine editors!

The days of being able to pick up a good early Riv like this for pennies on the dollar are fast drawing to a close. That’s both good and bad, but if you want one, now is probably the time to act—they won’t be getting any cheaper. This one is exceptional in all the ways that matter and drives beautifully. If you’ve been waiting to treat yourself to a special car, there’s a very strong argument to be made in favor of this stunning yellow Riviera. Call today!