This is the ultimate car! A 65 Riviera is my favorite car and this one could NOT be any finer! All of the right stuff! Right options, right color. FANTASTIC !
I never thought that that style Buick was so beautiful. But now after looking at this I will say wow . Beautiful isn’t the word it’s magnificent. Thanks Lou and thanks to people like the owner of this Buick . Keep them alive
In my opinion the 1965 Riviera is the most beautiful American car ever produced. It set the blueprint for modern car design with the long hood short deck design.
+DONDIVA1969 Hi If you go to TH-cam.com and type in "My Car Story with Lou Costabile Riviera" I think you'll like the cars that come up. Thanks for viewing, Lou
Oddly enough Pininfarina, the great Italian car designer said almost the same thing as did Sir William Lyon the Jaguar founder and designer. Pretty good notice from a man who designed, what some consider, the best designed car of all time, the Jaguar E-type. . I agree this Riv is one of the best. I have to include some of the custom bodied Dusenbergs with my best list. But If you only want to talk production models, yea, this might be it.
What a blessing on the low bid story! I really like the 63-65 Riviera. This '65 Gran Sport edition is amazing. The sea foam paint looks great. Such awesome features as AC,Cruise control,power windows(the power cornervent window is super cool) & door locks that weren't common on most vehichles for another 15 + years or so. What a special, amazing ride Buick created!
Makes me miss my 70s Buick Le Sabre convertible: root beer brown, cream leather intetior, & cream convertible top, all power. I was only 19, it was a boat! Thanks uncle James, for going to the dealer w/ me, to negotiate. RIP❤
Hi Suraya, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
That is one of the best turned out '65 Rivieras I've ever seen. Normally, I like them in black but the seafoam green with the black roof works really well. And you can't beat that front end.
Exactly... The chrome on the edge of that front vents....maybe a minor detail butt spot on! But the whole car....i was shaking my head from beginning to 🏁. It’s a real princess ♥️
Love this color! Such a beautiful car. Man I LOVED the headlights. I had no idea they opened that way!!! For some reason, I love a green car and this Seafom Green color is a perfect color! Very, very elegant! Great job, Lou.
smibru It's a good one, I hope you do find yours. When on TH-cam.com, type in "My Car Story with Lou Costabile" and I hope you see other cars you'll like. Take care, Lou
One day I might find one, but it going to be hard now that the prices have reach the cost of brand new mid sized cars. Enjoy it and if possible never give it up!
I was in High School when the '65 Buick Riviera GS came out. One night after a movie, on the way home, a buddy of mine and I happened to walk by our local Buick dealer. Out front of the dealership (under the bright fluorescent lights) sat a stunning -- and I mean drop dead stunning -- red exterior, black interior Buick Riviera GS! At that time I could only hope and dream I could own a high performance luxury car like that. No other car in 1965 impressed me more than the Riviera GS. It had it all: luxury, sportiness, performance, and styling -- that's still undiminished 51 years later.
You are clearly a Car Person :-) I'm so glad you shared your story about the way this car impacted you. Thank you for sharing. Please take some time on "My Car Story With Lou" on TH-cam.com and I hope you find other cars you'll enjoy too. Lou
Hah! I've watched many of your videos -- and enjoyed them all. As an aside, in 1967 my buddy bought a '66 Buick Skylark Gran Sport with the 401-445 nail head engine with 4-speed. He installed a wide ratio 4-speed, 4:30 posi rear, hi lift Isky cam, Hooker headers, and a 2x4 set up off a Buick Riviera 425 engine. On numerous occasions my buddy would get in a street race with GTOs, 442s, Road Runners, etc. -- and would blow the doors off of them. Oft times the losers would want us to stop and talk -- as they could hardly believe a Buick had such street performance. And when my buddy would stop for gas (in the days of no self-service) he would request that the oil be checked so that the attendant would be blown away seeing the engine had 2x4s. LOL!
I want to make a slight correction to my last reply, I think my buddy installed a longer "duration" Isky cam, rather than hi-lift cam, as I believe the 401 nail head had inherent close valve-to-piston clearance. In any event, the cam he did install definitely helped the engine's breathing capability. Still, while the 401 had great low to mid range performance, it did start to suffer at top end. My name is Walter Darnall. The Buick dealer I saw the '65 Riv. GS was Fields Buick of Hyattsville, Maryland -- now long gone. Off to make a post response to your '63 T-bird video.
Hi NHL BA, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
These cars were just sensational. I remember seeing just a few of these when I lived In the United Kingdom way back in the 1960's. Dusty Springfield, a well known British pop singer back then owned a Buick Riviera. I've always had a soft spot for these cars.
The color combo is tremendous, especially with the diamond tuck interior. Besides the dual quads and horns, the power vent windows are a sweet option .Very nice ride.
Hi Joseph, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Hope you're behind the wheel of the right car for you soon. Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Thats a beauty, my Father had a 66 Toronado in a similar color, what a lovely classic that wasI cant imagine that not bogging with dual quads, probably 1200 CFM or more
This car is so high quality. Way above average. Gorgeous looking. I was told by an old time expert clock smith that the reason automobile clocks frequently do not work is that they are dirty. They need to be disassembled and cleaned and they will typically work just fine.
Research shows that the first muscle car was probably the 1937-38 Buick Century. The huge 1938 141hp, 320ci OHV Buick Roadmaster engine and 3-sp trans was installed into the small Buick Special chassis and renamed the Century. Police got on to using the Century as there was nothing that could outrun it. Hot rodders of the 40’s also used this engine in coupes and roadsters. Buick claimed that its Century models were the fastest U.S. production-based cars on the road. In fact, at the GM Proving Grounds, the Century was clocked at a top speed of 103 mph hence the “Century”. A 1938 Century sport coupe once held the National Hot Rod Association class record for the next two decades or so. Its performance was a joke by today's standards, but in 1938, it was hot stuff.
Hi Frank, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
To my eye that is the most beautiful two-door sedan coupe that GM ever designed, and I have read that many famous designers have said the same. My guess is that fewer than 600 have survived, so the ones that still exist need to be taken care of like the special gems they are.
Hi Richard, Happy to read you appreciate the color of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile, been a Subscriber for a while and really enjoy your videos. My Uncle bought a '65 Riv GS new Flame Red (Color Code R) over a Parchment (9000L) interior. Going to ask him if he had the 4 horns. When they backed it off the truck, they went to add the dealer name in metal to the trunk lid. He told them if they did that they just bought the car. They were more expensive than a Cadillac back in the day!
Wow,dual quads on top too! Man,i didn't know they had that going on under there! Another pristine Riv,they really are sweet machines with great looks,nice quality and luxury along with some serious get up and go under your right foot for sure! Trumpets,really? really? Freakin train horn type blasters,lol ! Unbelievable! I'm loving the GS designation, I didn't know they had those dual quads, I'm just blown away by that! Yeeeehaaaa! Very stylish with some serious get up and go in this wunderbah machine for sure! Zoom,honk!!!!!!! Um,was that a luxurious train made for the streets that just cruised on by in a blink of an eye ? Thanks again guys! Wunderbah! ▪☆☆☆▪
I have owned 5 middle 60's rivs~3 '65's, a 66 & a 67. The 1965 Riviera Gran Sport was one of the omst beautiful automobiles ever designed and built. Everything about that car was pefectly matched right off of the assembly line. I hope to find and own another '56 Gran sport before they take me to the junk yard.
All Rivieras were E Bodies. This platform was shared with the Toronado, and Eldorado. I think what the owner meant to say was that the Riviera was RWD (this generation anyway) and the Toronado and Eldorado where FWD. 65's are the most sought after Rivieras because of the clamshell headlights. The valley pan cover is where a technician goes in to access the valve lifters, and perform service and adjustment. All V engine have a valley pan. Some engines the intake manifold serves as the valley pan cover. Others like the Buick V8's utilize a cover under the manifold. Hence that flat cover you saw.
Hi Gabriel Velazquez, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Hi Jeremy, Happy to read the Riviera is a favorite luxury car for you :-) Here is a link to the Wildcat GS you mentioned. Enjoy! Lou th-cam.com/video/i6GOlll30i0/w-d-xo.html
I never thought that there was an American car from that era that didn't have wood grain , that was a stupid sticker . Now that's REAL CLASS ! Mercedes has always done the "If it looks like wood, it is wood . I can appreciate that .
Hi Gary, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
About and equal amount of non-GS Rivs also were optioned with the 2-4 Super Wildcat setup. 3300 or so. It is weird, in 1963 the Riv had the 401 standard, the 425 optional. In 1964 the 425 was standard with the 2-4 setup optional. In 1965 the 401 returned as standard, with 425 or 425 with 2-4 as options. And in 1966 the 425 with a Carter AFB was standard, the GS had the 425 with the Rochester Quadrajet as standard and the 2-4 as an option on the GS.
The styling of Buicks first generation Riviera’s is second to none, especially the last one in 65, everything about it says custom…the 65 is the closest to Mitchel’s original idea. In an interview Bill said he was influenced by Ferrari when he had attended a auto show in Europe.
My brother bought one brand new! Same color no vynal top with Buick mags. Later he traded it in for a 67 Firebird 400 4 speed black on black. He gave that to my other brother and bòught a new 68 Camaro SS RS 396 with factory aluminum heads and every option except auto trans.
Hi Angelo Bovara, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Brothers car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
The 425 Super Wildcat motor was 360 HP or 365 HP depending on who you talk to. It was in my opinion one of the best motors ever built and the Super Turbine 400 was probably the best automatic transmission ever made. The only thing I don't like are the stupid vinyl tops. That they put on those atrocious things on the the Gran Sport. I would have told the dealer to put on everything in the GS package except the vinyl top. The GS package was installed by the dealer and they did not like having to mess with it because the GS package was actually a really good deal for the buyer. Only 3,354 were produced in 1965 and since the GS package was installed by the dealer and not Buick it is very difficult to determine if the Grand Sport you are buying is a clone or the real deal. And typically Grand Sports sell for about $15,000 to $20,000 more than a stock Riviera. Which had a 401 nail head motor which was designed in 1953 and outdated by 1965. And don't get me wrong. The 401 was almost bullet proof but it was never designed to be a performance motor. but did produce 340 HP. Later Buick replaced the 425 with the 455 which also produced 360 HP and it was a monster off the line due to a very low first gear. Problem was it was bigger and hotter and would melt the rubber grommets out of the front end components. The 1965 Riviera was probably one of the most beautiful and sexy designs ever created in automobiles.
Hi Hoodoo Man, Glad you enjoyed this one and think the design is "sexy" :-) Thank you for viewing, and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
90% of the "time" it only takes some spray cleaner and light lube to get these clocks to work again. My and and I each got them working on all the GM cars we owned. Heck that was the easiest part about restoring them!
Thank you for viewing & sharing. If you type into TH-cam search "My Car Story with Lou Riviera" & "My Car Story with Lou Toronado" I think you'll see some you enjoy, Lou
Lou Costabile Thanks Lou I'm kicking myself. Back in the 90's, while living in San Diego, I bought a '65 Riviera. I found the car in Rancho Cucamonga. Back then Auto Traders were delivered late Thursday's to 7-11's and the like. I'd wouldn't go to sleep Thursday night without a new Auto Trader. That would determine if I was coming into work Friday. I'd been a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy and afterward became a LVN for a nursing agency. My ex had a '65 Fawn GS and although I'd met him after he'd sold it, I'd wanted a '65. When I was growing up the only book I checked out consistently from the library was "Automobiles. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." I wanted to be an automobile designer. I collected magazines, especially National Geographic, for car ads. In March of 65 Buick ran an illustration ad featuring a '65 Riviera GS in Burgundy Mist. Paint code N. I pasted that ad on my bedroom wall. In fact every car I said I wanted to own one day, I found an ad for and pasted it on my wall for inspiration. Fast forward to 1992 on a Thursday night in San Diego. Trader ad photos were black and white. It said the car was all original and everything worked except the headlights and radio. It was too late to call the owner but I called in sick. I was working for the VA in La Jolla. Friday morning I called the owner. Burgundy Mist, black deluxe 2 handle interior, 401 Nailhead V8, AC, Pwr steering, brakes, pwr windows, seat, tilt, pwr antenna. He said it looked like the car Patrick Swayze drove in the movie "Road House." I'd not seen the movie. All I wanted was the car. I get VERY excited about purchasing a car. I cant sleep/eat/focus on anything else. I called Larry, my ex. We were still friends and begged him to go with me to see it. He was older than me by 15 years. He knew cars. His mother had worked for the man who had the contract to repair and detail used cars for both John Hine Pontiac and Marvin K Brown Cadillac in San Diego. I needed an expert with me way before the internet. No Ebay back then either. Totally first come, first serve. We drove up. It was so clean. Black & Gold CA plates. Lights were stuck in the open position. He let us take it out and it was excellent on the road He wanted $3k. I negotiated a little off because of the lights. I'd be the third owner. We made a contract for me to pay half that day and half in 2 weeks when I picked it up in a Saturday. In the meantime I found a auto electrician who said he could rebuild the headlight motor. No vacuum for '65. Just a single motor sitting on the first crossmember of th frame with two articulated arms running up each fender and connected to gears that open and close the lights. Bill Mitchell always wanted hidden lights. To get GM to pay for a one year design and production expense shows the clout he carried after delivering his masterful designs. In those two weeks I bought a set of wide original Buick road wheels. I went up an inch to fill up the fender wells and contacted the Riviera Club in Chino, CA. A member told me that since my radio lit up, I probably only needed to remove the back seat, lift the speaker cover between the seats and replace the 6x9 speaker. The Friday I picked it up, I drove to the middle eastern mans auto electric shop and waited hours until he rebuilt the headlight motor. I had just enough time to stop by the tire shop and have the road wheels and new white wall radials installed. On Saturday morning I went to Circut City on Midway, bought a single speaker, followed the instructions I'd been give and the Delco AM Sornomatic radio started playing. Lou I danced in my driveway. I guess anyone passing may have thought I was crazy but I didn't care. I detailed that car and I couldn't park it without looking back over my shoulder. Larry thought it was beautiful. I was so proud. I loved to cruise around San Diego in the evening with the park lights on. They're fast and had finned aluminum brakes, they weren't discs and it was a daily driver. Stopping fast was a hair raising experience. I don't abuse or burn rubber but I love the feel of power underfoot. I usually slip off my shoes when I drive. I love the feel of nice carpet and have found classic cars transmit road vibrations through the pedals and new cars dont. After a few close calls on southern CA freeways, I soId it to buy a '68 Cougar X-R7. I wish it was acceptable to switch classic car drum brakes to disc then like it is now. I would have paid for it to be done and still be driving it. I think about that car everyday. It left a hole in my soul. The plate was PBH 722. Lou, you do an outstanding job. You are so well connected. I just watched the Corvette Nomad interview. OMG. No matter what guys say in criticizing, your responses are always kind. Now don't feed the trolls. If you make a mistake, you admit it and move on with a smile. You did a show on a silver '56 MK II. The owner had a rare book that you both were gracious enough to share as part of the trunk treats. Trolls started tripping, which is what trolls do, because you placed it on the grass to flip through the pages to SHARE WITH US. We didn't get the interview, you did. Anywho you handled the "feedback" graciously. Thanks for the compliment and don't change a thing. I love this show. Derric
Hi Story Teller, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Checked the line up of cars coming up and the next one is gray and the one after that is white :-) Stay tuned, Lou
The intake & exhaust vales were "small" compared to other other big cube engines like the Mopar "hemi" or Chevy "rat" . Hence the name "nail head" although the valves face was small the engines did make smooth stump-pulling torque at low rpm! Enough to win Stock Eliminator of the Year for 1965!
Hi Joe, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
E.I. Osborne Hi E.I. Osborne,Thanks for viewing and sharing. If you have a moment when on TH-cam.com, type in "My Car Story with Lou Costabile" and you can see others cars you may enjoy. Take care, Lou
Hi Lanzell Smith, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car, and the horn sounds too :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and I hope you see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
the Riviera was originally designed by Cadillac as they were trying to offer a personal lux car but something went wrong and Cadillac gave the design to Buick...who knew
I've wanted one of these ever since the first time I saw one open its eyes like that. That is the coolest hidden headlight setup ever.
Hi onue gumboot, Happy to share this one with you :-) I agree, these headlights when they open are cool, Lou
This is the ultimate car! A 65 Riviera is my favorite car and this one could NOT be any finer! All of the right stuff! Right options, right color. FANTASTIC !
High praise :-)
I wish this is been a longer video because I can't get enough of this Riviera
:-)
A swell car!!! . I have always loved the LOOK👀 of the 1965 Riviera . That year i was 11 years old . 4/23/23 🤠Canada
Happy to read you enjoy this car joyousfive :-)
That is a real clean machine 1965 and 1972 are my favorite years of the Riviera 👌
Hi AL, Happy to read you enjoy this "real clean machine" :-) Lou
I never thought that that style Buick was so beautiful. But now after looking at this I will say wow . Beautiful isn’t the word it’s magnificent. Thanks Lou and thanks to people like the owner of this Buick . Keep them alive
Hi Gator Guy, Glad to receive a "wow" from you :-) You're welcome, and glad you're enjoying this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Stunning! My favorite 1965 Riv by far.
Hi Dean, Happy to read this one is a favorite :-) Lou
That Seafoam green was its best color...both in 1965 and 1966!
Hi David, Happy to read you enjoy this color on this car :-) Lou
A lot of car designers over the years consider this era of the Riv one of the most beautiful cars ever made....hard to argue with that!
Hi Barry, I find I appreciate the design and gets better looking with age. Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
I completely agree. Unfortunately, after 1970 Buick Rivieras were some of the ugliest cars ever made.
@@phil1720 sorry but Boattails are nice.
In my opinion the 1965 Riviera is the most beautiful American car ever produced. It set the blueprint for modern car design with the long hood short deck design.
+DONDIVA1969 Hi If you go to TH-cam.com and type in "My Car Story with Lou Costabile Riviera" I think you'll like the cars that come up. Thanks for viewing, Lou
I gotta agree with you. It's one of my all time favorite dream cars!
DONDIVA1969 hard to argue with that. For me personally the most beautiful American design was the Continental MK II, followed by the 65 Rivi
Oddly enough Pininfarina, the great Italian car designer said almost the same thing as did Sir William Lyon the Jaguar founder and designer. Pretty good notice from a man who designed, what some consider, the best designed car of all time, the Jaguar E-type. . I agree this Riv is one of the best. I have to include some of the custom bodied Dusenbergs with my best list. But If you only want to talk production models, yea, this might be it.
Drool
What a blessing on the low bid story! I really like the 63-65 Riviera. This '65 Gran Sport edition is amazing. The sea foam paint looks great. Such awesome features as AC,Cruise control,power windows(the power cornervent window is super cool) & door locks that weren't common on most vehichles for another 15 + years or so. What a special, amazing ride Buick created!
Hi Marty Taylor, Glad you enjoy this story :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and adding to the story, Lou
THIS is THE Riviera! It is this video that first introduced me to your channel.... and I've been a fan ever since!!
Hi R Daniel, Happy to read this was the "Intro Car" to the Channel :-) Glad to read you're along for the ride, Lou
Makes me miss my 70s Buick Le Sabre convertible: root beer brown, cream leather intetior, & cream convertible top, all power. I was only 19, it was a boat! Thanks uncle James, for going to the dealer w/ me, to negotiate. RIP❤
Hi Suraya, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
That is one of the best turned out '65 Rivieras I've ever seen. Normally, I like them in black but the seafoam green with the black roof works really well. And you can't beat that front end.
+Matthew Hi Matthew H, I agree with you, great ride, thanks for viewing, Lou
Exactly...
The chrome on the edge of that front vents....maybe a minor detail butt spot on!
But the whole car....i was shaking my head from beginning to 🏁.
It’s a real princess ♥️
If you like the 65 in seafoam green, you should see the one in Samoan Bronze. A specially made one for a Buffalo dealer.
Love this color! Such a beautiful car. Man I LOVED the headlights. I had no idea they opened that way!!! For some reason, I love a green car and this Seafom Green color is a perfect color! Very, very elegant! Great job, Lou.
Hi Brian, High praise for the looks of this car :-) I appreciate your encouraging words, Lou
Those headlights are amazing. Straight off the 1963 "Silver Arrow" concept car.
Agreed, very cool feature!
Man...a dual-quad 425 Nailhead...don't know what is more beautiful - looking at that emerald beauty or hearing those carbs wake-up.
Thank you for viewing, sharing, and glad you enjoy the design and sound of this one Audie Conrad :-) Lou
I want to have one of those cars so bad! That car is beautiful, he is a very lucky man.
smibru It's a good one, I hope you do find yours. When on TH-cam.com, type in "My Car Story with Lou Costabile" and I hope you see other cars you'll like. Take care, Lou
One day I might find one, but it going to be hard now that the prices have reach the cost of brand new mid sized cars. Enjoy it and if possible never give it up!
I was in High School when the '65 Buick Riviera GS came out. One night after a movie, on the way home, a buddy of mine and I happened to walk by our local Buick dealer. Out front of the dealership (under the bright fluorescent lights) sat a stunning -- and I mean drop dead stunning -- red exterior, black interior Buick Riviera GS! At that time I could only hope and dream I could own a high performance luxury car like that. No other car in 1965 impressed me more than the Riviera GS. It had it all: luxury, sportiness, performance, and styling -- that's still undiminished 51 years later.
You are clearly a Car Person :-) I'm so glad you shared your story about the way this car impacted you. Thank you for sharing. Please take some time on "My Car Story With Lou" on TH-cam.com and I hope you find other cars you'll enjoy too. Lou
Hah! I've watched many of your videos -- and enjoyed them all. As an aside, in 1967 my buddy bought a '66 Buick Skylark Gran Sport with the 401-445 nail head engine with 4-speed. He installed a wide ratio 4-speed, 4:30 posi rear, hi lift Isky cam, Hooker headers, and a 2x4 set up off a Buick Riviera 425 engine. On numerous occasions my buddy would get in a street race with GTOs, 442s, Road Runners, etc. -- and would blow the doors off of them. Oft times the losers would want us to stop and talk -- as they could hardly believe a Buick had such street performance. And when my buddy would stop for gas (in the days of no self-service) he would request that the oil be checked so that the attendant would be blown away seeing the engine had 2x4s. LOL!
That's good stuff right there. Thanks for watching many of the videos. What is your name? Lou
I want to make a slight correction to my last reply, I think my buddy installed a longer "duration" Isky cam, rather than hi-lift cam, as I believe the 401 nail head had inherent close valve-to-piston clearance. In any event, the cam he did install definitely helped the engine's breathing capability. Still, while the 401 had great low to mid range performance, it did start to suffer at top end. My name is Walter Darnall. The Buick dealer I saw the '65 Riv. GS was Fields Buick of Hyattsville, Maryland -- now long gone. Off to make a post response to your '63 T-bird video.
Hi Walter, Glad you're a Viewer to the Channel, Lou
Always thought the 65 Riviera was the best looking of the first generation, beautiful. Thanks for the video.
Hi Brian, Happy to read this is your favorite Riviera from the 1st Generation. You're welcome, Lou
Omg is all i can say Bill ur one lucky 🍀 guy that car will always put smiles on faces 👍🏼!!
Hi NHL BA, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
These cars were just sensational. I remember seeing just a few of these when I lived In the United Kingdom way back in the 1960's. Dusty Springfield, a well known British pop singer back then owned a Buick Riviera. I've always had a soft spot for these cars.
Hi eldorado62, Sounds like Dusty has great taste in cars. Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
It's a thing of beauty ! and those lights !
High praise for the looks of this car :-) Yes, this head lights opening up is brilliant!
The color combo is tremendous, especially with the diamond tuck interior. Besides the dual quads and horns, the power vent windows are a sweet option .Very nice ride.
+Larry B Hi Larry B, Thanks for your detailed comment and glad you like the video. Take care, Lou
The Ultimate! Best Buick ever built! None better.
High praise :-)
Absolutely beautiful and powerful luxury car. They just don't make them like this any more. Thanks for posting.
Hi David, Style & Power = Win & Win :-) You're welcome, Lou
This...THIS is what I want!
Hi Joseph, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Hope you're behind the wheel of the right car for you soon. Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
A gorgeous 😍 1965 Buick Riviera
Nice :-)
Another great video of a beautiful car. Thanks, Lou I really appreciate what you do for us old gear heads LOL.
Hi Rich, Happy to read you enjoy this video :-) You're welcome, and my pleasure sharing with you, Lou
amazing cool features and options on this car. Art on wheels.
Hi Arrigo van den Burg, Happy to read you enjoy the design of this car :-) Lou
You lucky bastard! God bless you and your classic.
Amen :-)
I use to own a 65 Riviera and I love it. This one is Beautiful.
Hi Paul Sharp, Glad to read you enjoy the memories of your 1965 Riviera :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
The stuff my dreams are made!
:-)
Thats a beauty, my Father had a 66 Toronado in a similar color, what a lovely classic that wasI cant imagine that not bogging with dual quads, probably 1200 CFM or more
+jim dandy Hi Jim, Thanks for sharing your story about your Fathers cars and for viewing. Take care, Lou
Properly tuned with 3:91 posi or 4:30 posi it won NHRA's Stock Eliminator of the Year back in 1965!
Simply gorgeous!
Hi Porschedude8, Glad to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Lou
This car is so high quality. Way above average. Gorgeous looking. I was told by an old time expert clock smith that the reason automobile clocks frequently do not work is that they are dirty. They need to be disassembled and cleaned and they will typically work just fine.
High praise for this car :-)
Absolutely gorgeous!
Hi Nathan Oh, You have great taste :-) Glad you enjoyed this one, Lou
My 2nd favorite car all time.
Happy to read this car is in the Top 2
Research shows that the first muscle car was probably the 1937-38 Buick Century. The huge 1938 141hp, 320ci OHV Buick Roadmaster engine and 3-sp trans was installed into the small Buick Special chassis and renamed the Century. Police got on to using the Century as there was nothing that could outrun it. Hot rodders of the 40’s also used this engine in coupes and roadsters. Buick claimed that its Century models were the fastest U.S. production-based cars on the road. In fact, at the GM Proving Grounds, the Century was clocked at a top speed of 103 mph hence the “Century”.
A 1938 Century sport coupe once held the National Hot Rod Association class record for the next two decades or so. Its performance was a joke by today's standards, but in 1938, it was hot stuff.
Hi MrGGPI, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge to add to the story, Lou
Great Job at keeping it original unlike most the hotrods people made out of these
HI r3toun, Glad you like this one :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you enjoy, Lou
really beautiful car never saw Cadillac trumpet horns on a Buick! I very partial to the 67 as my parents had one with the rotating speedometer!
Hi M T, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car, and brings back memories of your Parents 67 :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
I love the (body) color under that "egg crate" grill . That little detail is smokin' hot looking !
Hi Gary, Happy to read you enjoy the details of this car :-) Lou
Great car Lou! Amazing
Hi Paul, Happy to read you enjoy this "Great car" :-) Lou
Dual quad’s are something very special !
Hay Lou, forgot to say,, Love the 440 Magnum Coronet. Was that a locking Differential (posi)?
Wow! It's a looker!!!
Hi Frank, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile love your channel and really appreciate the beautiful and unique automobiles you showcase!!!
Absolutely the best.
High praise swsalem :-)
Like a fine wine, just gets better with age
Well said, thank you for commenting, Lou
To my eye that is the most beautiful two-door sedan coupe that GM ever designed, and I have read that many famous designers have said the same. My guess is that fewer than 600 have survived, so the ones that still exist need to be taken care of like the special gems they are.
Hi Warner Bauer, So glad you like this car, and thank you for commenting, Lou
"Seafoam"... what a beautiful period color!
Hi Richard, Happy to read you appreciate the color of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile, been a Subscriber for a while and really enjoy your videos. My Uncle bought a '65 Riv GS new Flame Red (Color Code R) over a Parchment (9000L) interior. Going to ask him if he had the 4 horns. When they backed it off the truck, they went to add the dealer name in metal to the trunk lid. He told them if they did that they just bought the car. They were more expensive than a Cadillac back in the day!
What a beautiful car!!
Hi Bob Leden, Glad you enjoy the looks of this one :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
That is one amazing car ! 425 dual quad engine, seafoam . All it needs is a seafoam (green) Fender Strat laying in the back seat .
High praise for this "amazing car" :-)
I'm glad my dad taught me something about cars,,,,,,,,,,YYYYYUP ! !............
Glad you value & enjoy that time with Dad
He passed away in 2005,,,,,,,,,, dementia................
Wow,dual quads on top too! Man,i didn't know they had that going on under there! Another pristine Riv,they really are sweet machines with great looks,nice quality and luxury along with some serious get up and go under your right foot for sure! Trumpets,really? really? Freakin train horn type blasters,lol ! Unbelievable! I'm loving the GS designation, I didn't know they had those dual quads, I'm just blown away by that! Yeeeehaaaa! Very stylish with some serious get up and go in this wunderbah machine for sure! Zoom,honk!!!!!!! Um,was that a luxurious train made for the streets that just cruised on by in a blink of an eye ? Thanks again guys! Wunderbah! ▪☆☆☆▪
Hi my name is 905
, High praise for this car. Enjoy reading the details you like on this car :-) Thank you for viewing and commenting, Lou
love that car
Hi Indy Pendant, Happy to read "love that car" :-) Lou
The Buick Riviera was ALMOST a Cadillac LaSalle II. But Cadillac decided to let Buick have it. (thankfully).
Good to know. Thank you for sharing.
I have owned 5 middle 60's rivs~3 '65's, a 66 & a 67.
The 1965 Riviera Gran Sport was one of the omst beautiful automobiles ever designed and built.
Everything about that car was pefectly matched right off of the assembly line.
I hope to find and own another '56 Gran sport before they take me to the junk yard.
Thank you for viewing and sharing your experiences :-)
another proper wow car.
Hi Craig Happy to receive a "Wow" from you :-) Lou
All Rivieras were E Bodies. This platform was shared with the Toronado, and Eldorado. I think what the owner meant to say was that the Riviera was RWD (this generation anyway) and the Toronado and Eldorado where FWD. 65's are the most sought after Rivieras because of the clamshell headlights.
The valley pan cover is where a technician goes in to access the valve lifters, and perform service and adjustment. All V engine have a valley pan. Some engines the intake manifold serves as the valley pan cover. Others like the Buick V8's utilize a cover under the manifold. Hence that flat cover you saw.
Hi Gabriel Velazquez, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Buick Riviera's were always one of my favorite luxury cars. I think they did a GS version of the Wildcat too
Hi Jeremy, Happy to read the Riviera is a favorite luxury car for you :-) Here is a link to the Wildcat GS you mentioned. Enjoy! Lou th-cam.com/video/i6GOlll30i0/w-d-xo.html
I never thought that there was an American car from that era that didn't have wood grain , that was a stupid sticker . Now that's REAL CLASS ! Mercedes has always done the "If it looks like wood, it is wood . I can appreciate that .
Hi Gary, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
About and equal amount of non-GS Rivs also were optioned with the 2-4 Super Wildcat setup. 3300 or so. It is weird, in 1963 the Riv had the 401 standard, the 425 optional. In 1964 the 425 was standard with the 2-4 setup optional. In 1965 the 401 returned as standard, with 425 or 425 with 2-4 as options. And in 1966 the 425 with a Carter AFB was standard, the GS had the 425 with the Rochester Quadrajet as standard and the 2-4 as an option on the GS.
Thank you for viewing & sharing your knowledge. I appreciate that.
Stunning car.
Glad you enjoy the looks of this car :-)
The styling of Buicks first generation Riviera’s is second to none, especially the last one in 65, everything about it says custom…the 65 is the closest to Mitchel’s original idea.
In an interview Bill said he was influenced by Ferrari when he had attended a auto show in Europe.
Hi Larry, High praise for the styling of this car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
@@loucostabile Your welcome.
Lou, I had a 63 back in the 80’s and currently own a 65 Riviera,
Riv it up ✌🏽
My brother bought one brand new! Same color no vynal top with Buick mags.
Later he traded it in for a 67 Firebird 400 4 speed black on black.
He gave that to my other brother and bòught a new 68 Camaro SS RS 396 with factory aluminum heads and every option except auto trans.
Hi Angelo Bovara, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Brothers car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
The 425 Super Wildcat motor was 360 HP or 365 HP depending on who you talk to. It was in my opinion one of the best motors ever built and the Super Turbine 400 was probably the best automatic transmission ever made. The only thing I don't like are the stupid vinyl tops. That they put on those atrocious things on the the Gran Sport. I would have told the dealer to put on everything in the GS package except the vinyl top. The GS package was installed by the dealer and they did not like having to mess with it because the GS package was actually a really good deal for the buyer. Only 3,354 were produced in 1965 and since the GS package was installed by the dealer and not Buick it is very difficult to determine if the Grand Sport you are buying is a clone or the real deal. And typically Grand Sports sell for about $15,000 to $20,000 more than a stock Riviera. Which had a 401 nail head motor which was designed in 1953 and outdated by 1965. And don't get me wrong. The 401 was almost bullet proof but it was never designed to be a performance motor. but did produce 340 HP. Later Buick replaced the 425 with the 455 which also produced 360 HP and it was a monster off the line due to a very low first gear. Problem was it was bigger and hotter and would melt the rubber grommets out of the front end components. The 1965 Riviera was probably one of the most beautiful and sexy designs ever created in automobiles.
Hi Hoodoo Man, Glad you enjoyed this one and think the design is "sexy" :-) Thank you for viewing, and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
A beautiful luxury/sports automobile.....GM owned that market in the mid 60's, right Lou?
Hi Mike, Happy to read you enjoy this one :-) Some great cars in the 1960's for sure, Lou
Absolutely stunning. Anyone know how many of these were 4 speeds in 1965?
Happy to read "Absolutely stunning" :-) Not sure how many 4 speeds. Hoping a Viewer can share knowledge.
Awsome ride!
Glad to read you enjoy this car Joseph Archer :-) Lou
I love Rivys owned several,66,67,72 and a 73 GS WISH I'd kept the 73.
Hi David Aquilar, Sound like some great cars and memories :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
90% of the "time" it only takes some spray cleaner and light lube to get these clocks to work again. My and and I each got them working on all the GM cars we owned. Heck that was the easiest part about restoring them!
Thank you for sharing a tip.
This is the exact car I want to restore
Hi Johnny Parker, It's a great choice and a good looking ride, Lou
Rivs and Toranados, they were way ahead of their time.
Thank you for viewing & sharing. If you type into TH-cam search "My Car Story with Lou Riviera" & "My Car Story with Lou Toronado" I think you'll see some you enjoy, Lou
LOVELY CARS BEAUTIFUL
Glad you enjoyed this one and consider the car lovely :-)
Those headlights are too much...another BEAUTY...options galore...Wow
Hi marcus field, Great head lights, I agree :-) Lou
Beautiful.
You have great taste in cars :-)
Lou Costabile Thanks Lou
I'm kicking myself. Back in the 90's, while living in San Diego, I bought a '65 Riviera.
I found the car in Rancho Cucamonga. Back then Auto Traders were delivered late Thursday's to 7-11's and the like. I'd wouldn't go to sleep Thursday night without a new Auto Trader. That would determine if I was coming into work Friday. I'd been a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy and afterward became a LVN for a nursing agency.
My ex had a '65 Fawn GS and although I'd met him after he'd sold it, I'd wanted a '65.
When I was growing up the only book I checked out consistently from the library was "Automobiles. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."
I wanted to be an automobile designer. I collected magazines, especially National Geographic, for car ads. In March of 65 Buick ran an illustration ad featuring a '65 Riviera GS in Burgundy Mist. Paint code N. I pasted that ad on my bedroom wall. In fact every car I said I wanted to own one day, I found an ad for and pasted it on my wall for inspiration.
Fast forward to 1992 on a Thursday night in San Diego. Trader ad photos were black and white. It said the car was all original and everything worked except the headlights and radio. It was too late to call the owner but I called in sick. I was working for the VA in La Jolla.
Friday morning I called the owner. Burgundy Mist, black deluxe 2 handle interior, 401 Nailhead V8, AC, Pwr steering, brakes, pwr windows, seat, tilt, pwr antenna. He said it looked like the car Patrick Swayze drove in the movie "Road House." I'd not seen the movie. All I wanted was the car.
I get VERY excited about purchasing a car. I cant sleep/eat/focus on anything else. I called Larry, my ex. We were still friends and begged him to go with me to see it. He was older than me by 15 years. He knew cars. His mother had worked for the man who had the contract to repair and detail used cars for both John Hine Pontiac and Marvin K Brown Cadillac in San Diego.
I needed an expert with me way before the internet. No Ebay back then either. Totally first come, first serve.
We drove up. It was so clean. Black & Gold CA plates. Lights were stuck in the open position. He let us take it out and it was excellent on the road
He wanted $3k. I negotiated a little off because of the lights. I'd be the third owner. We made a contract for me to pay half that day and half in 2 weeks when I picked it up in a Saturday.
In the meantime I found a auto electrician who said he could rebuild the headlight motor. No vacuum for '65. Just a single motor sitting on the first crossmember of th frame with two articulated arms running up each fender and connected to gears that open and close the lights. Bill Mitchell always wanted hidden lights. To get GM to pay for a one year design and production expense shows the clout he carried after delivering his masterful designs.
In those two weeks I bought a set of wide original Buick road wheels. I went up an inch to fill up the fender wells and contacted the Riviera Club in Chino, CA. A member told me that since my radio lit up, I probably only needed to remove the back seat, lift the speaker cover between the seats and replace the 6x9 speaker.
The Friday I picked it up, I drove to the middle eastern mans auto electric shop and waited hours until he rebuilt the headlight motor. I had just enough time to stop by the tire shop and have the road wheels and new white wall radials installed.
On Saturday morning I went to Circut City on Midway, bought a single speaker, followed the instructions I'd been give and the Delco AM Sornomatic radio started playing.
Lou I danced in my driveway. I guess anyone passing may have thought I was crazy but I didn't care.
I detailed that car and I couldn't park it without looking back over my shoulder. Larry thought it was beautiful. I was so proud. I loved to cruise around San Diego in the evening with the park lights on.
They're fast and had finned aluminum brakes, they weren't discs and it was a daily driver. Stopping fast was a hair raising experience. I don't abuse or burn rubber but I love the feel of power underfoot. I usually slip off my shoes when I drive. I love the feel of nice carpet and have found classic cars transmit road vibrations through the pedals and new cars dont.
After a few close calls on southern CA freeways, I soId it to buy a '68 Cougar X-R7.
I wish it was acceptable to switch classic car drum brakes to disc then like it is now. I would have paid for it to be done and still be driving it.
I think about that car everyday. It left a hole in my soul. The plate was PBH 722.
Lou, you do an outstanding job.
You are so well connected. I just watched the Corvette Nomad interview. OMG.
No matter what guys say in criticizing, your responses are always kind. Now don't feed the trolls. If you make a mistake, you admit it and move on with a smile.
You did a show on a silver '56 MK II. The owner had a rare book that you both were gracious enough to share as part of the trunk treats.
Trolls started tripping, which is what trolls do, because you placed it on the grass to flip through the pages to SHARE WITH US. We didn't get the interview, you did. Anywho you handled the "feedback" graciously.
Thanks for the compliment and don't change a thing. I love this show.
Derric
Hi Derric, Glad you're along for the ride :-) Lou
I love this car!
Hi Diozark, Glad you love this one :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing and hope you find many more cars on the Channel you'll also enjoy, Lou
So cool.
Glad you enjoy this car :-)
awesome colour.
Hi Mckessa King, Glad you enjoyed the color of this one :-) Hope you see many more cars with colors you enjoy on the Channel, Lou
Beautiful car. Great color. Green....hmmmm. Lou featuring a green car. It seems you have had a thing for green cars for a long time Lou. Haha
Hi Story Teller, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Checked the line up of cars coming up and the next one is gray and the one after that is white :-) Stay tuned, Lou
It sure is a beauty.
Hi Jus Fadezz, Glad you enjoyed the looks of this one :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
I would to love to see one of these with factory cruise control
Here you go. th-cam.com/video/qcyNBA5gKAc/w-d-xo.html
Very nice!!
Thank you Brandy. Are there specific cars you like? Lou
G O R G E O U S !!!
Glad you enjoy the looks of this one Mike Gehre :-) Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you'll enjoy, Louj
Very nice...
:-)
Oh yeah. I want I want
Nice :-)
Any help on that color code? Thanks!
Hmmmm, not sure. Hoping a Viewer can share knowledge.
Riverias are as beautiful today as they were in the 60s. Sure wish we had such timeless designs today. Wonder why they call em "nail head V8s"...
+kramden Hi Kramden, Maybe our Viewers can help with that question. Take care, Lou
The intake & exhaust vales were "small" compared to other other big cube engines like the Mopar "hemi" or Chevy "rat" . Hence the name "nail head" although the valves face was small the engines did make smooth stump-pulling torque at low rpm! Enough to win Stock Eliminator of the Year for 1965!
Whats the blue book on one of these?
HI New Lion, No idea. Maybe a Viewer can share, or Google might help, Lou
There will be a time in the not to distant future when you will not longer be able to afford one of these Riviera's
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
First American car with replaceable bolt on door skins.👍
Hi Joe, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Very Nice!!!
E.I. Osborne Hi E.I. Osborne,Thanks for viewing and sharing. If you have a moment when on TH-cam.com, type in "My Car Story with Lou Costabile" and you can see others cars you may enjoy. Take care, Lou
could try a quartz conversion for the clock- appearance stays the same.
That's an option.
Definitely a high watermark for Buick styling.
Agreed, so attractive from every angle, Lou
Beautiful car love horn
Hi Lanzell Smith, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car, and the horn sounds too :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and I hope you see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
is this car for sale?
I checked & the car is not for sale.
Lou Costabile thanks bro 👍
Try to find the heater core when it starts to leak!!!
😯 🤑 😀
Sounds tricky, or I'm sure you wouldn't have mentioned it.
Sounds👌
Happy to read you enjoy the sounds of this car :-)
I want one of these.
+duff man There a cool car, and I hope you get one. Thanks for viewing, Lou
the Riviera was originally designed by Cadillac as they were trying to offer a personal lux car but something went wrong and Cadillac gave the design to Buick...who knew
HI Robb Rogers, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
I believe I've seen this very car in another youtube by an older guy who took it out for a ride.
Could this be that car?
Hmmm, have not seen that video you're describing so not sure.
dear Santa...
+Andrew Samy Hope you get your present :-) Lou