Buick Riviera Gran Sport '65
The Riviera Gran Sport was a high-performance luxury version of the Buick Riviera, produced from 1965 through 1975. In 1965, it was called Riviera Gran Sport and the later models were still officially called Gran Sport but showed GS badges instead of Gran Sport.
In 1963, the Buick Riviera was introduced to plug a gaping hole in GM's line. Buick's fortunes had fallen precipitously to ninth in the overall market, and it was desperate for a flashy new product. All the GM divisions were fighting for the car, but Buick's general manager Ed Rollert convinced GM design czar Bill Mitchell that Buick was the perfect division, likely because Rollert agreed not to alter the stunning design of the original "La Salle" design sketches Mitchell presented. In 1965, the stylists under the tutelage of Bill Mitchell pulled out all the stops and designed headlamps hidden behind clamshell doors, which covered the headlamps in this one-year-only offering. This design was originally to be introduced in 1963, but GM body engineers axed the idea, citing cost and the time required to develop it. Other than the covered headlamps, the 1965 version had a mild update on the grille, the rear quarter trim, the rear end, and a new rear bumper wheel now housed the taillamps.
Referred to affectionately as the "nailhead" due to the shape and size of the valves and their configuration, the 425-cu.in. V-8 was stout, if not dated, even in 1965. The engine's original design debuted in 1953, and was due to be replaced in the 1967 model year by the new 400/430 with valves in a more traditional V-configuration. That said, the 1965 425 received a few updates including stronger webbing around the main bearings and tighter-sealing piston rings. The 425 is heavily based on the 401-cu.in. V-8, with an 1/8-inch increase in bore, allowing most of the engine internals to carry over. All 425-cu.in. V-8s feature a unique camshaft, however, with more conservative valve timing.
All Riviera Gran Sports feature a dual four-barrel, 600cfm Carter AFB carburetor setup. Complicating the identification of these cars is the fact that there were 454 standard 1965 Rivieras built with the twin four-barrels. The Gran Sport 425 was good for an easy 360hp and 465-lbs.ft. of torque at just 2,800 rpm. Coded LX by Buick, the 425 features 10.25:1 compression and has hydraulic lifters. Both the block and heads are cast iron. Riviera Gran Sports breathe through cast-iron exhaust manifolds, into a special 21/4-inch dual exhaust system that was laminated to control noise. The standard Riviera had duals, but with only 2-inch pipes.
Specs:
- Buick Riviera Gran Sport '65 specs.png (5.73 KiB) Viewed 2013 times
