This 1965 Buick Riviera is one of 3,354 examples produced with the Gran Sport package. The car underwent a six-year mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment beginning in 2018. It is powered by a 425ci Nailhead V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors mated to a three-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. Finished in Astro Blue over blue cloth and vinyl upholstery, the car is further equipped with 15″ steel wheels with turbine-style wheel covers as well as finned drum brakes, concealed stacked headlights, rear bucket seats, power windows, a Sonomatic AM radio, and air conditioning.
The 425ci Nailhead V8 is equipped with dual four-barrel carburetors that were recently rebuilt, and it was factory rated at 360 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The fuel pump was also rebuilt, and further work included performing a valve job, adding hardened valve seats, overhauling the ignition, and replacing the water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, and heater control valve.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The transmission was serviced and re-sealed.
This Gran Sport example underwent a refurbishment between 2018 and 2024, and it is finished in Astro Blue with chrome bumpers and polished rocker panel moldings. Further details include concealed stacked headlights, a stylized “R” hood ornament, a remote-controlled driver-side mirror, Gran Sport badging, and a power antenna.
The 15″ steel wheels wear turbine-style covers and are mounted with 225/75 Vercelli Classic 787 white-stripe tires. A full-size spare is located in the trunk. The car is equipped with power steering, and braking is handled by power-assisted finned drums.
The front and rear bucket seats are upholstered in blue cloth and vinyl, and woodgrain trim accents the center console and door panels. Interior appointments include a remote-adjustable side mirror, power windows, a Sonomatic AM radio, retractable seatbelts, and air conditioning. Refurbishment work reportedly included replacing the carpets, seat covers, speakers, and weather seals and rebuilding the air conditioning compressor before recharging the system with R12 refrigerant.
The two-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a tilting column and frames a 140-mph speedometer, an analog clock, a fuel-level gauge, and warning lights for oil pressure, coolant temperature, and amperage.
The five-digit odometer shows 18k miles. Total mileage is unknown.
