1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport "Barn Find" - 18,290 Miles - Rock Solid Throughout

Offered here is this very rare low mileage 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport barn find stored since the late 60's. This is a running and driving example showing only 18. 90 miles on the odometer. May seem impossible to some but considering the originality under the hood and all around this car. those miles are highly believable. This is a “TRUE” Gran Sport survivor with matching numbers throughout. The correct serialized “LX” coded – matching serial number 425 engine. original carburetors (#3645 front – #3925 rear). factory modified “BS” coded transmission. modified distributor. dual snorkel air cleaner. finned aluminum valve covers. positive traction rear end. 2-1/4” exhaust. and Gran Sport ornamentation of this rare factory option package are present. It's all there like the day if left the factory.

Car is finished in factory original Verde Green Metallic with matching all vinyl custom interior. In addition to the standard Riviera equipment consisting of Power Steering. Power Brakes and Tilt Steering Wheel. the following options were also factory ordered: Gran Sport Performance Package. AM/FM Radio. Rear seat speaker. Electric Antenna. Whitewall Tires (yes. they were optional). Air Conditioning. Soft ray Tinted Glass all around. Front Seat Belts. Rear Window Defroster. Remote Control Outside Mirror. Power Windows. Electro Cruise Control. Automatic Trunk Release. Formula V Chrome Plated Wheels. Custom Interior Trim. Ribbed Rocker Panel Moldings.

I am the 3rd owner of this car. The 2nd owner purchased it from the original private owner way back in in 1968. He drove it for a brief time and then placed into hibernation when he went off to Viet Nam. Upon returning he wasn't able to drive for some reason and/or a combination that he wanted to keep the car as a collector's item. It was driven on only a few occasions from that point forward and eventually moved to his parent's garage somewhere around 1981. It was covered with blankets except when he visited to run the car from time to time and remained there resting until last fall.

Raise the hood and you will find originality that is mind boggling.  Almost everything is original including the date coded spark plug wires. distributor cap – rotor – points. coil. water pump. fuel pump. fuel filter. air filter. fan belts. radiator. radiator hoses. tower top hose clamps. master cylinder. hot water valve. relays and more. The vacuum lines are in place as they were from the factory. I am determined to maintain the “barn find” appearance of this car yet wanted to represent this car properly so I've performed some very important procedures to key mechanical areas without destroying the authenticity. My decision to perform some services on this car was to illustrate the fact that.

" THIS CAR RUNS STRONG/QUIET AND THAT IT STARTS. STOPS. STEERS AND SHIFTS GEARS WITH NO MAJOR PROBLEMS " !!!

To achieve my goals. some tender loving service was in order. The spark plugs were removed. all cylinders were well lubricated and left to penetrate around the piston rings. While waiting. I lubricated both carburetors and linkages to insure free movement. All linkage and accelerator pumps were hand worked to confirm that they were free and lubricated once more. Next the crankshaft was manually rotated to verify that the engine was indeed free which it did with zero resistance. Oil and filter were changed and the engine was cranked without spark plugs installed to build up oil pressure. I installed a new set of spark plugs and ignition points. connected the battery and hit the ignition switch. A little assistance priming the carburetors and the engine almost instantly came to life. The engine runs smooth and quietly and once the choke opened up. the car came to an idle. The transmission shifts through the gears and moves on its own.

I have not extensively street driven this car yet but the brakes do function upon application.   I'm sure any enthusiast would want to check through the entire braking system. especially considering how long this car has been in hibernation. The car is presently rolls on its original type “tri band” white wall tires mounted on the factory Formula V chrome wheels (correct lug nuts and center caps) The original 8:45 x 15 tri band whitewall spare tire. also mounted on an original chrome wheel had never been on the ground until now as I needed it to remove this car from where it was stored. It will clean up nicely to be used as the original spare again. The original tires have been changed at some point using the same original tri band whitewalls and tread pattern only upsized to 8:55x15. I'm guessing this was done due to dry rot.   

This car was well stored inside a dry garage and has survived extremely well considering this Midwest climate and dampness. The overall body is free of any rust through anywhere. There is a bit of very light surface scale on the lower rear quarter panels rear of the wheels which is probably a result of dampness from the concrete floor. The front firewall cowl. floor pans. floor braces. trunk pans. body mounts and all sheet metal are ROCK SOLID. The exhaust pipes. resonators and all 6 hangers are still attached. The balance of the system was hanging so it was removed and I believe that what remains is that of the original factory installed system due to the complex bends. flat spots and tolerances you wouldn't see in the aftermarket. The body is pretty darned straight but has had a bit of very minor body and paint work here and there. presumably by the original owner and prior to 1968. Some of that paint work shows some age cracks but the car is presentable enough to be driven as is. I have many additional pictures of these areas available upon request.

The optional custom interior is absolutely beautiful with only 2 small flaws. (1) Unexplained tear to the driver's armrest and (2) A very small. maybe 3" split on the upper seam of the driver's seat backrest. The seats frames are firm and not all sprung out like one would see in a car with higher or even with moderate mileage. Carpets are original and will shampoo very nicely. Headliner is excellent with no rips or split seams and would also clean up nicely. Door panels. rear seat side panels and rear package shelf are all excellent. Dash pad is soft and supple with no cracks. All of the original wood graining on the door panels and console is original and in exceptional condition. The steering wheel could pass for NOS out of the box and the tilt wheel mechanism is tight like new. Dash gages. needles and appointments are crisp and colorful and th A/C outlets are tight unlike higher mileage cars where they wobble around and cannot be aimed properly. Once more. I have many additional pictures of these areas available upon request.

The trunk floor material and tar backing are dry from age but the metal floor underneath is unbelievable. The cardboard trunk trim is very nice and presentable for an original application. Front and rear bumpers are original and straight with typical age to the chrome. The pot metal chrome trim are also very nice but they also show some age with minimal pitting on a few things. All stainless moldings wheel opening and side trim are excellent condition and not all whipped to death by car automatic car washes or the elements. The ribbed aluminum rocker panel trim is beautiful with no scrapes or corrosion. All of the glass is crystal clear with no cracks. scratches or de-lamination. Door and trunk weather strips are very presentable however the roof rail weather strips have dried but still hold their original shape. Interior lenses are all excellent including the rear console lamp which is usually discolored. Door jamb switches still have their rubber boots and work as they should illuminating all 6 interior lamps. If you have ever owned a first generation Riviera then you already know how important these little details are as most cars need replacement in these areas and nice parts are expensive and almost non existent. This car is a time capsule and I could go on and on about the originality. If you have any questions on areas I may have missed then please feel free to ask. I also have bunches of pictures available upon request.

If you have ever dreamt of owning a '65 Riviera Gran Sport then you already know of their popularity and how the values have been soaring. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own an extremely original example at an affordable price. Barn finds and survivor cars are hot with more and more people buying them to drive as original unrestored examples. Whether you clean it up and drive it as is or bring it back to its original glory. you're never going to find a more solid example.

I have been an avid Buick and Riviera enthusiast since 1972 and have owned and driven many of these 1st generation Rivieras. I highly doubt that there is another car quite like this car in existence today. SOLID. REAL Gran Sports are quickly becoming impossible to find in any condition. I have always been known to be picky and overly descriptive which is good with relation to this special car because I want you to know exactly what to expect in this car. Please understand  that many collectors would. with reasonable mechanical upgrades. nbsp;consider this rare Riviera find to be an excellent driver just as it is now.  It is NOT a project – It is NOT restored – It IS a rare survivor at a great entry level price.

These old cars are a hobby for me so with anything I sell. I always strive to be as honest and descriptive as possible. Sometimes even the sharpest eye can miss a detail so I welcome your questions. thoughts and observations.

This car is stored just 10 minutes from Chicago's Ohare International Airport and is available for inspection by the bidder or any inspection service by scheduled appointment. I can be available to pick you up for a visual inspection prior to bidding if you would like. Again. if you have any further questions or care to discuss this car in detail. then please feel free to contact me via this auction or by phone at 773-440-3394 (8 AM to 10 PM CST).

AFTER THE AUCTION:

The successful "winning" bidder must telephone me. the seller. within 24 hours after the auction has ended to verify purchase and make arrangements to complete the transaction. A 10% non refundable deposit is required within 48 hours of auction closing. This deposit can be made by next day air – cashier's check or by using Paypal. The balance of auction price is payable by CASH and due within 7 days of auction closing !

SHIPPING

Shipping is the responsibility of the buyer but I can help with arrangements on my end and have a reliable referral of a carrier I have used in the past. Any International shipping arrangements are to be made by winning bidder.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Please understand that this car is being offered on an "AS IS AND SHOWN" basis and that there are no Guarantees or Warranties expressed or implied by this seller. As with any used vehicle. minor signs of wear may become more obvious under close inspection. such small chips or nicks. light scratches or minor abrasions. wheel scuffs. and other indications of normal wear and tear. We will not and cannot be held liable or responsible for these issues. I reserve the right to cancel bids and/or end this auction at any time as this car is also available for sale locally.

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 Please read comments below which were posted on the AACA “Buick For Sale” forums where this car has been discussed by fellow '65 Riviera Gran Sport collectors and enthusiasts…

“Wow thats quite a car. Especially with the originality of parts. Its a dream of mine to be the one to discover a 65 GS like this one hiding in some unsuspecting owners garage. Not that it matters but I think you have it priced in the ballpark. The rock solid body from that part of country is a good sign the mileage could be original. Good Luck with the sell. If I were not in the middle of my 66 project I'd be checking this one out. Verde green and burgundy are my favorite colors on the 65. After some time to digest and study the pics. I like it even more. Being a numbers guy I'd be very interested if I was looking for one. Money in the bank IMO. I'd drive a 75 AMC Gremlin for 4 years if it meant I could have this 65. Well maybe not quite but you get the idea. ”

“Beautiful. beautiful car Rich and just the way I like them. Love the colors. Good luck with the sale. I hope whoever ends up with it just details it and leaves as is. ”

“A true survivor in every sense. No need to guess what clamp. bolt. nut. or screw is correct. This is one for someone to do what's necessary to get it operational. detailed. and let everyone enjoy as a classic timepiece. To me. if I could afford it. it is worth more than a completely restored one in the shape it's in. A few minor cosmetics touches - the split in the seat. and the discoloration (if that's what I see) on the rear deck. and remove the exhaust system. derust and reinstall it. then a good cleaning and it would be perfect. The only drawback would be the desire to drive it and rack up some miles and possibly expose it to some else's negligence. ”

“I would rather buy it as it is and detail and clean it myself to make sure it is done properly and not a gloss over job. Leave it alone !”

“Why buy someone else's idea of a restoration when you can buy a 100% accurate time capsule. ”

“Thanks for posting the extra detail pics. These will go in my reference file and should be especially valuable to anyone restoring a 65. The originality is amazing. I see the original brass tag peeking out from the outermost master cylinder bolt. Also noted the early June build and it has at least one 3-Q-64 dated plug wire and at least one with 1-Q-65. ”

“If I weren't in the middle of a frame restoration on the current 65's I have. I'd be a highly interested buyer. Unfortunately the timing is just off for me at the moment. I'd love to give this car my detailed treatment. It's deserving. ”

Also published at eBay.com

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