Poll: Which '64? (1/18/2024)

If these were ‘63’s it would be Ford but in ‘64 it’s Mercury.

Styling wise, '61 Ford vs Mercury is a tie; '62 F vs M Ford wins, '63 F vs M tie; '64 F vs M  Ford wins.

Similar to the '61 Buick I dislike the pointed front fenders on the '64 Mercury.

Almost too close to call for me. I really like both. I went with the Ford because of the colors. 

I've always been partial to the '64 Ford Galaxie. But head-to-head, these both look great. I gave the nod, by a whisker, to the Ford.

Mercury by a whisker.

Mercury looking sharp in 64. 👀

Posted by: @bob-jackman

Mercury by a whisker.

Maybe you should shave more closely my friend!  HA!

This was hard as I like them both, but I went with the 64 Ford which was my favorite out of the 63-64 models.

I'm liking the Ford.

The Ford for me...a longtime favorite.

Both cars are beautifully presented. The Mercury looks more upscale to me and gets my vote because of that.

Maybe 1964 was one of those years when Mercury was aimed more at Olds/Buick/Chrysler than Pontiac/Dodge.

Very nearly a tie but I like this Ford a tiny bit more.  I prefer the '63 and '65 versions of both cars much more actually, but these are nice too.

@jack-dodds, the '65 was closer to Bil Mitchell's original proposal. Buick hesitated to spend the funds to do the hideaway lights. They were unsure of how the car would do in the marketplace. It was intended to compete with the Thunderbird. But no one knew how large that segment might be. The Riviera was a gamble. In a time when the premium offerings were larger, roomier, and floated down the road, this design was more compact and nimble. The original design was first offered to Cadillac as a modern version of the LaSalle. Cadillac passed, and Buick raised their hand and took it. Sales immediately took off, and Mitchell got his way two years later. 

Here's the first prototype and a late clay model. Even then, GM was shying away from the hidden headlights. You can see the La Salle badging. 

Maybe the Caddy guys thought it was too far of a departure from their current styling.  Hard to comprehend how any division would turn it down though.