Personal luxury coupes were a mainstay of American motoring for decades. Yet, today it’s an automotive category that no longer exists. This edition of Auction Dilemma looks at two examples from the peak early days of these cars. Let’s check out a 1963 Buick Riviera up for bid at Hemmings and a 1963 Ford Thunderbird that will appear in an upcoming Mecum auction.
1963 Buick Riviera
1963 was the debut year for the Riviera as General Motor’s attempt to take on the popular Ford Thunderbird. GM was in desperate need of a personal luxury coupe to fit the gap between Chevy and Cadillac, and the Riv filled in perfectly. While not showroom perfect, this clean Riviera is free of body rust and dents, according to the seller. Its Glacier Blue paint and wire wheel covers embrace the ‘60s vibe. The listing references 35,635 miles on the odometer but gives no further details.
Powering the car is Buick’s Wildcat 445 engine (401 cubic inches) that was initially rated for 325 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. The rear wheels and the powerplant are linked by a two-speed automatic transmission. Given the Riviera’s upscale positioning, no manual transmission was offered.
Nothing says time machine like the white leather upholstery inside this Buick, which the listing and accompanying photos report to be free of rips and blemishes. Cabin equipment includes factory air conditioning, power windows, and power front seats.
1963 Ford Thunderbird
At one point in history, the Thunderbird and Chevy Corvette knocked heads, but that changed after Ford added a back seat for the second-gen T-Bird. From there, the Thunderbird was all about being a personal luxury coupe (minus some later experimentation with four doors). Details are sparse on this Mecum listing, so we’ll rely on photos and historical information. Mecum pics reveal an immaculate black exterior that’s Concours-worthy. At the same time, the listing reports 2,600 miles on the odometer (with no word if these are original miles or if there’s been a restoration).
Thunderbirds from this year are powered by a 390 cubic-inch V-8 factory-rated for 300 horsepower. An engine upgrade offered a bump to 340 horsepower thanks to triple dual carbs and a dual exhaust system. A three-speed automatic transmission managing the rear wheels is the sole drivetrain.
Photos reveal a pristine black leather interior that matches the exterior condition. Typical options for a ‘63 T-Bird match the Buick: air conditioning, power windows, and power fronts seats. However, it appears this Ford doesn’t have the A/C or power seats.
Are You The Right Person For A Personal Luxury Coupe?
If you need almost immediate gratification, then getting in on the 1963 Buick Riviera auction may be the way to go. There are eight days left and a current high bid of $15,000. But you’ll need to have patience if the 1963 Ford Thunderbird is more your thing as the car will be part of Mecum’s live Florida auction in January. An estimate isn’t available, but third-generation T-Birds run from $15,000 to $65,000 in recent Bring a Trailer activity.
Sources: hemmings.com, mecum.com, automobile-catalog.com