Sexy '65

Full frame-off restore.












It can be your's for a mere $94,500.

I can cover the $500. And the 9 and the 4 if they are seperated out into their own numbers.

Seriously though, are these really worth that much? It doesn't look like a big block and it's not a numbers matching, one of one built (by the factory), original condition car.

WOW!!! Looks great!! AWESOME!

Not worth that kind of money. It's these stupid Barrett-Jackson auctions where people with no money and no clue go that drive the prices this high. They see something they like, which would normally sell for $30,000, and they just bid and bid until they win at $100,000+, which all of a sudden puts it out of reach for the rest of us.

If I had that much and didn't care, I might be tempted to buy. The '65 Riv imo is one of the best looking cars ever, so it's kind of special, but would rather it be totally stock, maybe with some engine mods. Still, this one isn't too over the top. All the '65s are beautiful, though.

Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, it's an absolutely stunningly styled car, but the way it is(non-original, probably underpowered small block), I wouldn't pay more than $50,000.

I don't know what you guys are looking at but that looks like a Nailhead to me. Notice the vertically mounted valve covers.

I read the wikipedia page on the nailhead - were they all the same exterior size engine block? I would normally expect to see 425 cubes in a big block or stroker small block. Does the nailhead raise the value of the car dramatically?

I think you can lump the nailhead's in with the Big Block engines. There actually quite large but the vertical orientation of the valvecover makes them look narrower than they actually are. As for the value, I think that would depend on whether or not it is a numbers matching engine/trans and running gear. IMHO this car would ONLY be worth what thier asking if A. it was owned by someone famous/ A movie car, or B. it was an all original never been touched Riv. But then again I'm fairly new to the Buick world.

Edit heres an article by Carcraft about the Nailhead with some pretty good pics.

http://www.carcraft.com/thehistoryof/65502_buick_nailhead/index.html

The first pics are kinda small, so here's a couple larger ones.

Ironclad-454 wrote:

I think you can lump the nailhead's in with the Big Block engines. There actually quite large but the vertical orientation of the valvecover makes them look narrower than they actually are. As for the value, I think that would depend on whether or not it is a numbers matching engine/trans and running gear. IMHO this car would ONLY be worth what thier asking if A. it was owned by someone famous/ A movie car, or B. it was an all original never been touched Riv. But then again I'm fairly new to the Buick world.

Edit heres an article by Carcraft about the Nailhead with some pretty good pics.

http://www.carcraft.com/thehistoryof/65502_buick_nailhead/index.html

Hmm good info but I don't think the value would be that high unless it was the 425 or 400 and everything was original. Probably not even then.

If it's the engine it came with, it's probably a 425 - - or maybe a 401. (they look the same, and the engine in the picture looks like one). If memory serves, when the Riviera was introduced in '63, the engine was the 401. Then in '64, you could get either a 401 or the new 425 (or the hot-rod, 2-carb 425). My dad has a '64 with a 425 (but only one carb, unfortunately). I'm not that sure about '65, but it would be my guess that the 425 option would be the most likely. Seems the 401s went away and it was only the 425 for awhile - - until they came out with the 430 - - in '67 or '68, I think.

Yeah, the '65 isn't really my favorite year. It's OK, but I personally liked the '63 and '64 better. My dad has an all original '64 and has asked me if I'd like it to restore, but I can't really get too enthused - - I'm just a big boattail guy, I guess. I'd probably prefer to get a Gen-8 project car than his '64.

Just looked at the engine picture again. If it's "real", I'm guessing it's the 2-carb version, and if true, would be the most desirable (I'd think). I wouldn't want a "perfect" '65 enough to pay anywhere close to that price, though. That amount would almost pay off my debt on the salt flats car!!!!!!

It is a 425 Nailhead, Offenhauser intake, dual 4-barrel carbs, finned aluminum air cleaner and valve covers. It's been featured in a Meguiar's ad and an article in Rod &Custom Magazine (12/06.) I do agree that $94,500 is way too high.

Here's a larger photo of the engine, it may help.

It's a beautiful car and I've enjoyed learning about it.

Like I said before, it's the most beautiful '65 I've ever seen. If there's more gorgeous '65's you guys know about, post them.