Junk Behind The Trunk: 64 Buick Riviera – SOLD!

June 6, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this Riviera “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

When GM’s Styling Chief Bill Mitchell and stylist Ned Nickles set out to design Buick’s Riviera, their goal was knife-edged styling in a lower-profile, personal luxury car.  The simple and clean design was everything the late 1950s wasn’t, from subdued chrome a lack of tail fins to a complete lack of any “Jet Age” references.

Yet, a previous owner of this dual-quad equipped 1964 Riviera originally listed in May 2021 on Craigslist in Halcott, NY (Poughkeepsie) felt compelled to ruin this Buick’s rear end by tacking on the most dubious and impractical of 1950s car accessories: a custom fabricated Continental Kit.  The current caretaker mentions this Continental Kit is a one-off and quite frankly, we’re thankful for that. We will give credit where it’s due: from the pictures provided the Continental kit does appear to be nicely integrated and blended into this Riviera’s rear flanks.  Therein lies the problem: this doe not appear to be a bolt-on kit that would be easily removable, so you’re stuck having people admire your Buick as you approach only to shake their heads in disgust as they see the rear end of this Riviera.

This otherwise appears to be a nicely optioned and very powerful Riviera offered for $17,900.  Comparing that ask against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool reveals the price falls between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $10,900 and the #3 “Good” appraisal of $21,500.  As a second data point, the Collector Car Market Review indicates the current asking price falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $11,125 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $19,900.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Dual quad 425 Super Wildcat nicely preserved regular (fair weather) driver (but not enough to justify keeping it!) One-of-a-kind custom continental …… preservation work, and repaint by last owner 20 yrs ago. Always garaged, exterior presentation is a 9/10 and interior has a few minor issues that could be addressed (upholstery is fine, not new, but not in need of repair, but there are some trim items that could be addressed if you’re a purist).
Frame is solid, (some minor tin rust issues on inner fenders and under rockers have been addressed with undercoating (not replaced … in case you are going for a full restoration). Engine, tranny, drive train, brakes all fine. The tires look great, lots of tread, but they are out of date.

Disclaimer…
TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS CAR HAS ONLY BEEN OWNED BY OLD GUY WANNABE COOL GUYS WHO GOT A KICK OUT OF BLOWING THE DOORS OFF OF CAMAROS and MUSTANGS at the light…
( I DON’T BELIEVE THIS CAR HAS EVER BEEN TO A TRACK.)

I am now certified to be too old to take the G-force when the secondary carb opens up… (guess I’m not going to Mars!)

Call me @ the above reply # if you can still deal with acceleration….”

Go or no: What would you think about the continental kit on This Riv?  Comment below and let us know!