by Mike –
In The Ferrari 250 GTO Mystery Is Solved article there is a picture of Bev Spencer standing next to Ferrari 250 GTO No. 4219 on a trailer at the Del Monte Lodge in Pebble Beach.
Pulling the trailer is a 1963 Buick Riviera. This makes sense because Bev Spencer was a Buick dealer, and a Ferrari dealer, and what better car to pull the Ferrari race car than a Buick Riviera in 1963?
Not only does the Riviera have enough power to pull the Ferrari it also has enough room for the family to drive to the track in comfort and style.
1964 Buick Riviera
I have always loved the 1963 through 1965 Buick Riviera and I suspect that I will own one someday. I owned a 1965 Riviera HO scale slot car when I was a kid and I have never forgotten that slot car, it was quick.
This 1964 model has a trailer hitch – ready to go to the track.
Beautiful interior – not typical for 1960s American cars.
Notice the headlights on the 1965 model above are hidden in the clam shells.
Below is a beautiful 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport that I saw at Super Car Sunday in Southern California in 2011.
I met the owner who also owns a Lamborghini Miura. Interesting that he chose to drive the Riviera to this event rather than the Miura.
The simple elegance of the styling, both inside and outside, is wonderful. There is little chrome and the styling is more European than American. This was a trend changing design.
Dear Mike,
You are so right-on about those 1963-1965 Rivieras – they are probably one of the most beautiful American cars ever made, especially the 1965 model with the clamshell lights (Patrick Swayze drives one in Road House). Besides the exterior styling, the first time I ever saw the interior of one, I could not believe how it looked like the interior of a Corvette or European sportscar. When I was 10 years old, my friend Carl first told me about these cars, and I have been a huge fan ever since. I owe a great debt to him. And to you – thanks for the great pictures!
Glenn Krasner in the Bronx, New York
Glenn,
I agree with you that the Corvette is the only American car from this time that had such a well designed interior as the Riviera.