Turbocharged Luxury: 1984 Buick Riviera T-Type

The Buick Riviera appeared on the automotive landscape in 1963 as a personal luxury coupe on the E-body platform (later shared with the Eldorado and Toronado), but in rear-drive only configuration. A few decades later the turbocharged version of the Riviera shared its V6 with Buick's Regal cousin (and the LeSabre had a turbo V6 version too), but the Grand National has a cult following and culty prices to boot.  In the Riviera you can get the 185 horsepower 3.8 V6 and not pay a big premium. Find this 1984 Buick Riviera T-Type offered for $5500 in Cape Coral, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu. 

Caprice Running Gear: 1953 Buick Special Riviera Coupe

This car looks familiar.  But sometimes, they all look familiar, and with the flood of fabulous tips that deluge DT's inbox each day (seriously, thanks for all the tips!) I'm never sure if I've seen something before. Find this 1953 Buick Special Riviera Coupe running on a Caprice Classic chassis and running gear offered for $9,500 in Ft Myers, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Buf'd Turbo: 1985 Buick Riviera T-Type

The Buick Riviera appeared on the automotive landscape in 1963 as a personal luxury coupe on the E-body platform (later shared with the Eldorado and Toronado), but in rear-drive only configuration. A few decades later and somehow the Riviera managed to avoid the front wheel drive fate that destroyed its friends and there was even a turbocharged V6 version for the ultimate in personalized luxury something.  Find this 1985 Buick Riviera T-Type offered for $6,700 in New Haven, CT via craigslist.

Modern Gear: 1953 Buick Special Riviera Coupe

The 1949 - 1958 Buick Special is a very special car indeed.  It was the first all new full postwar design from the guys at Buick and it has become emblematic of the era of the big American 2-door hardtop like no other car...(except maybe the '57 Chevy.)  Find this 1953 Buick Special Riviera Coupe offered for $9,500 in Ft Myers, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Fresh Off The Vine: 1979 Buick Riviera

It's a real shame that you can't get velour interiors color coded to the avocado metallic exterior hue these days. How much better would a new Regal be with green, tufted, semi-reflective seats? Not to fear; a nearly new option exists. Find this geriatrically preserved 1979 Buick Riviera available in Napa County, CA for an undisclosed price via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy

Auction Watch: 1973 Buick Riviera

Check out this 1973 Buick Riviera (boat tail) here on eBay bidding for $2,700 reserve-not-met with auction ending on Thursday.

Tesla This: 1967 Buick Riviera Electric Project

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that driving an electric vehicle is a good thing. They put out less emissions, and you don't pay as much for gas...and in the future we'll all be riding around in Google-Mart-Book autonomous pods, so really it is only a matter of time.  However, the current crop of electric vehicles is really bad.  Leafs and Sparks are hideous, and I'm not nearly rich or pompous enough to drive a Tesla (aka the new Pius*) so frankly the only logical thing to drive is a classic converted to run on electrons.  Like this 1967 Buick Riviera Electric Project here on eBay offered for $6,900 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Elburn, IL.

Survivor With Style: 1969 Buick Riviera GS

The Buick Riviera was a plus sized personal luxury coupe built on the E-body platform shared with the Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Toronado.  But, unlike its front-drive cousins, the Riviera used a conventional front-engine rear-drive setup and weight transfer was a friend.  The 2nd generation (1966-1970) still featured the cool hidden flip-out headlights, and Buick's signature sweepspear styling (a curved line of trim that runs the length of the car).  Find this 1969 Buick Riviera GS here on eBay bidding for $7,025 with 1 day to go, located in Phoenix, AZ.

5k: Front Wheel Peeler: 1998 Buick Riviera

 The Buick Riviera was born in 1963 as a handsome and successful pillarless hardtop coupe from GM.  The old gal soldiered on for years and eventually made the switch from rear to front wheel drive early for a full sized coupe and lasted until its 8th generation (1999) before being sent to the glue factory for good.  But, the last generation Riviera offers a strangely appealing package for a very basic price.  Find this 1998 Buick Riviera currently bidding for $6,500 with 1 day to go, here on eBay, located in Orange, CA.

15k: Buickustom: :'46-'71 Tucker Torpedo Riviera

In 1946 Preston Tucker announced the first concept for Tucker Automobile, a wild looking thing called the Tucker Torpedo.  The Torpedo featured pontoon-like fenders mounted to the front wheel hubs that allowed the headlamps to swivel and a wild steering wheel mounted gauge cluster, but those nutty features never went into production.  Naturally, someone built an homage to Preston Tucker's dream car out of a 70s era Boat-Tail Riviera.  Find this '46-'71 Tucker Torpedo Riviera currently bidding for $11,100 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go in Brockton, MA via ebay.

15k: Doin' the Ton: 1957 Buick Century Riviera

UPDATE 4/6/14: As we mentioned in our original post in January, there's no telling what offer might drive this car home.  However, we can now say with certainty that sometimes its good to sit tight and wait for the seller to make the first move.  This car has been relisted on Ebay with a $3,000 lower price of $16,000; sending a strong 'offer' signal to anyone who's interested in a great example of 50's chrome.

Whenever old Buicks are being discussed at car shows or cruise nights, the casual Buick fans tend to swoon over the Special.  After all, that Special name implies that it’s the one to own, but to anyone planning to get the most out of one, the hottest Buick for the buck is definitely the Century. Find this slightly modernized 1957 Buick Century Riviera 4 door hardtop for sale in Groveland, CA for $19,000 via Ebay Classifieds.(This listing will end about the time this is posted, but there’s no telling what offer might drive it home after the listing closes).

28 of 50: Francine: 1965 Buick Riviera, Wildcat V8, Gran Sport?

When we published "the list" we were looking for a first-gen Buick Riviera Gran Sport and we found something that is at least mechanically close to a GS. The seller points out that this car does have the correct numbers matching 425 cubic inch Wildcat V8, but says its original dual quad carb setup was apparently sacrificed in the name of fuel efficiency.  Although there are no Gran Sport badges in sight, take a look at this 1965 Buick Riviera for sale in  Tucson, AZ currently bidding on ebay for $5,100 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go.

5k: Drive With Your Blinker On; 1997 Buick Riviera Coupe, Supercharged

The turn signal was first introduced to the public in 1938 in a Buick and described as a "Flash-way directional signal."  A few years later Buick added a self canceling feature to the signal stalk and by the 1950s most US states required functioning turn signals on all new cars.  It is ironic that Buick introduced the turn signal as most often the offenders of DWS (Driving While Signaling...for miles in a straight line) are Buick drivers...typically those who were...ahem...alive when the first signals were introduced.  Drive really slow in the fast lane with your turn signal on with this 1997 Buick Riviera Coupe, equipped with supercharged V6 and for sale in Huntingdon Valley, PA and currently bidding for $1,525 via ebay.

15k: 1955 Buick Century Riveria Hardtop Owned by Drag Racing Legend Don Prudhomme

We found another winner from the guys at MotoExotica - this time a 1955 Buick Century Riviera 2 door non-post hardtop previously owned by drag racing legend Don Prudhomme (one of the winningest drivers in NHRA history before switching to Funny Cars).  It is located in Fenton, MO and can be found on ebay currently bidding at $12,322 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go.