1963 Buick Riviera Fact Sheet

1963 Buick Riviera Facts, Figures, and Specifications

Five Fast Facts You May Not Know

1963 Buick Riviera

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1. Two V-8 Engines for Riviera 401 and 425 CID

2. Dashboard Elegant but Simple

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3. Interior Specifically for 4 People

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4. Walnut Trim an Available Option

5. Hidden Headlights Nixed By GM

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Buick Stuns the Nation with a Personal Luxury Car

The Buick Riviera was introduced as a new sports/luxury model for 1963 in a stunning sport coupe body style. From the front fenders, whose leading edges were vertical grilles, to the razor-edged rear contours, the Riviera looked both elegant and fast. It was an immediate hit, selling 40,000 copies.

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1963 Buick Riviera Resources

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1963 Buick Riviera Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

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1963 Buick Riviera

	A Regal Black
	C Arctic White
	D Silver Cloud
	E Spruce Green
	F Marlin Blue
	H Glacier Blue
	J Willow Mist
	N Burgundy
	P Teal Mist
	Q Twilight Aqua
	R Desert Sand
	S Bronze Mist
	T Fawn Mist
	V Granada Red
	W Diplomat Blue
	X Rose Mist

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1963 Buick Riviera Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1963 Buick Riviera

The Riviera was introduced on October 4, 1962, as a 1963 model. Its distinctive body shell was unique to the car, at the time,unusual for a GM product. The design was substantially the same as the original concept car, less the hidden headlights concealed in the fender grilles. The elegant ground-up styling sported the new “Coke bottle look”, with a tapered midsection surrounded by flaring fenders.

It rode on a cruciform frame similar to the standard Buick chassis, but shorter and narrower, with a 2.0″ narrower track. Its wheelbase was 117.0″- 6.0″ shorter than its big brothers and its overall length of 208.0″ was 7.7″ shorter as well. At 3,998 pound 390 lbs. lighter. It shared the standard Buick full size car V-8 engines, initially with the 401 CID and later also the 425 CID V-8. The unique continuously variable twin turbine automatic transmission was standard. Also standard were the power brakes using Buick’s “Al-Fin” (aluminum finned) 12.0″ diameter drums, as well as power steering.

The Riviera’s suspension used Buick’s standard design, with double wishbones in the front and a live axle located by trailing arms and a lateral track bar in the rear, but the roll centers were lowered to reduce body lean. Although its coil springs were slightly softer than other Buicks, the Riviera’s lighter weight made its ride somewhat firmer. It was still biased towards under steer, however contemporary testers considered it one of the better handling American cars, with an excellent balance of comfort and agility.

Buick’s 325 HP 401 CID “Nailhead” V-8 was initially the only available engine, but Buick announced an optional 340 HP 425 CID ersion of the Nailhead in December 1962. It had dual exhaust as standard equipment, and the turbine drive was the only transmission. Base price was $4,333, but the price could run near to $5,000 delivered with typical options. Total production was deliberately limited to 40,000 vehicles and only 2,601 were delivered with the delayed availability larger engine in the 1963 model year.

With the same power as the bigger Buicks and less weight, the Riviera had improved all-around performance: Motor Trend recorded 0–60 miles per hour in 8 seconds, the standing 1⁄4 mile in about 16 seconds, and an observed top speed of 115 miles per hour. Fuel economy was 13.2 MPG.

Inside, the Riviera featured a luxurious four-place cabin with front bucket seats and bucket-style seats in the rear. A center console with a floor shifter and storage compartment built into the instrument panel divided the front. Upholstery choices included all-vinyl, cloth and vinyl, or optional leather. A deluxe interior option included real walnut inserts on the doors and below the rear side windows. Significant extra-cost options included a tilt steering wheel, power windows, power driver’s seat, air conditioning, a remote-controlled side-view mirror, and white sidewall tires.

1963 Buick Riviera Factoids

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The Riviera was solely intended to attack the personal luxury car market occupied by the Ford Thunderbird. As such, it sat on its own shorter wheelbase, and only had room for 4, ensconced in an as luxurious setting as possible. It was very successful.

Initially, the Riviera was sold with only the standard Buick 401 CID V-8, but as soon as the new 425 CID 340 HP version (shown here, identified by it’s “465” on the air cleaner) was available, it was made the high HP option. This version was released in December 1962. Only 2,601 were delivered with the 427 CID version due to the delayed availability in the 1963 model year.

When designed, the Riviera was supposed to have its headlights hidden in the front fender grilles. Unfortunately, the Corvette had a hidden headlight feature coming in the new 1963 model. After a big row started by Chevrolet, that this feature would be diminished by Riviera having the same feature, GM forced Buick to delay their headlights until 1965.

Initially, Buick projected a sales level of 25,000 copies, expecting its high price and 4-seet configuration to be thought too exclusive for Buick’s audience. But as sales took off, Buick decided to limit sales to 10% of total production, thus capping the deliveries at 40,000.

1963 Buick Riviera Facts – Models/Production

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Riviera Coupe – From the front fenders, whose leading edges were vertical grilles, to the razor-edged rear contours, the Riviera looked both elegant and fast. It was considered as a car for Buick’s most affluent customers and delivered with a host of standard features, including two-speed wipers with washers, back-up lights, Glare-proof inside mirror, parking brake signal light, safety buzzer, Riviera exclusive wheel covers, electric clock, license plate frame, padded instrument panel, trip mileage odometer, smoking set, front and rear bucket seats, courtesy lamps, deep-pile carpet, foam-padded seat cushions, center console, and heater and defroster.

Riviera Coupe Production –

Series Number: 4747
Body Style: Sport Cpe-4P
Base Price: $4,333
Shipping Weight: 3998 lbs.
Production: 40.000

1963 Riviera Facts – Engines

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Riviera V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 401 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.1875″ x 3.640″.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 325 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 445 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic
Camshaft timing: Intake 295°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 74°, Lift 0.431″ (intake), 0.431” (exhaust).
Carburetor: Carter AFB 4-barrel model 3633 .

Optional Riviera 425 CID V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 425 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.3125″ x 3.640″.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 340 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 465 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic
Camshaft timing: Intake 290°, Exhaust 299°, Overlap 77°, Lift 0.431″ (intake), 0.431” (exhaust).
Carburetor: Carter AFB 4-barrel model 5378 .

1963 Buick Riviera Facts – Chassis Features

- Wheelbase: 117.0 inches.
- Overall length: 208.0 inches.
- Overall width: 76.6 inches.
- Overall height: 53.2 inches.
- Front track: 60 inches.
- Rear track: 59 inches.
- Standard tires: Standard: 7.10 x 15.

1963 Buick Riviera Facts – Powertrain Information

Three Speed Manual Transmission – None
Four Speed Manual Transmission – None
Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: Low – 1.82:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 1.82:1
- Stator: Two Position
Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- All: 3.23:1;

1963 Buick Riviera Facts – Power Train Options

- Three-speed manual transmission was NOT available
- Automatic transmission was standard
- Four-speed manual transmission was NOT available
- 401 CID 325 HP V-8 was standard
- 425 CID 340 HP V-8 was optional

1963 Buick Riviera Facts – Significant Options

- Air conditioning.
- Auto trunk release.
- Carpet savers.
- Chrome door edge guards.
- Cloth/vinyl or leather/vinyl trim.
- Compass.
- Cornering lights.
- Cruise control.
- Gas door guard.
- Guide-Matic dimmer.
- Litter basket.
- Power brakes standard.
- Power door locks.
- Power steering standard.
- Power windows.
- Radio, Sonomatic.
- Radio, Wonderbar.
- Rear seat speaker.
- Rear window defroster.
- Remote control outside rear view mirror.
- Seat belts.
- Seat covers.
- Seven-position tilt steering wheel.
- Soft-Ray glass.
- Spotlite.
- Tissue dispenser.
- Trunk mat.
- Twilight Sentinel.
- Whitewall tires.
- Wire wheel covers.