Vehicle Description
1953 was a big year for Buick: it was their 50th anniversary, the
OHV V8 debuted, and cars like this handsome 1953 Buick Super
Riviera remained the most stylish cars on the road. Offered in
great colors, this is a wonderful '50s cruiser with a few smart
updates that make it comfortable in today's world.
Riviera was Buick's name for the hardtop, those beautiful 2-door
coupes without a B-pillar which GM introduced in 1949. The
beautiful styling works particularly well on the long and low
Buicks, and there are many who will argue that the '53s are the
best-looking Buicks ever made. Simple white paint is timeless and
will always look great, and it safely eliminates the risk of having
a pastel color that doesn't appeal to everyone. The finish is
pretty good, offering straight bodywork that shows off attention to
detail where it matters: on the big quarters where you can see that
slicing character line, and up front where Buick's familiar
sweep-spear trim begins. It shines up rather well, suggesting that
when it was painted years ago, they did some good work. Then
there's all the chrome and stainless trim, which, on a Buick, can
easily cost $10-15,000 to restore, and all of it is in
above-average shape. The toothy grille looks brilliant and all the
emblems are in excellent condition.
The blue and white interior is also very close to what this car
might have worn originally, and it's every bit as comfortable as it
looks. The Super was Buick's intermediate model, but it's still got
big car comfort inside, with room for six in a pinch and a very
elegant look throughout. The big steering wheel is not only ideal
for maneuvering the big coupe, but also a very cool styling detail
with its horn ring and three-color horn button. Individual round
gauge pods handle the speedometer and auxiliary dials, and there's
a matching clock in front of the passenger, although it's sadly
inoperable. The factory Sonomatic AM radio is up high in the dash,
and while the chrome is showing some age, it's all there. As a
full-sized Buick, you also get a massive trunk that's neatly
upholstered with carpet instead of a rubber mat, as well as a
full-sized spare tire.
Under that massive hood, you'll find Buick's famous "Nailhead" V8,
with this one displacing 322 cubic inches. A legendary torque
factory, it moves the car effortlessly and as a Buick, it just
purrs away. It's dressed correctly in turquoise engine enamel and
still inhales through a standard air cleaner and Stromberg 2-barrel
carburetor, so it's silky smooth and surprisingly potent. The giant
radiator keeps it cool and the original generator still makes the
electricity. With a recent tune-up, it starts easily and pulls
well, even with the Dynaflow transmission, which makes it feel like
an electric motor. Like all Buicks before it, this Riviera rides on
coil springs all around, which gives it that trademark Buick ride,
and there's a fresh muffler that give the Nailhead a unique sound.
Steel wheels with factory hubcaps carry 235/75/15 whitewall radials
that ride and handle great.
This awesome Riviera delivers a great old car look and feel with
impressive power that means you can drive it anywhere. Call
today!