Vehicle Description
1953 Buick Super Riviera
As for the Riviera, its name can be traced back to 1949 when it was
used as a designation for the Buick Roadmaster two-door pillarless
hardtop coupe. This body style would become extremely popular for
the next three decades. The Riviera designation was again used in
1951 for the larger Roadmaster and Super sedans. Compared to the
base models, the Riviera-stamped cars came with more features and
improved interior trim. But perhaps the most noticeable way to
recognize one was the longer wheelbase that increased the car's
length by four inches over the standard Buick sedan.
If you like large puffy ride cruisers, more chrome than you can
shake a stick at, a luxurious interior with plenty of conveniences
even for 1953, and don't want to have to get a second job to afford
it, then you should come to Classic Auto Mall's halls, and have a
close gander at this beauty.
Exterior
With its smiling toothy grille sporting more chrome than the actual
value of this car, and in great condition, all dressed up in
Matador Red and a now Black roof, and plenty of additional trim,
this car is straight and true. Nice thuds of the doors when opened
and closed, some spoked polished wheels wrapped in wide whites, and
the iconic 3 front fender vents floating above a polished spear
that runs the gamut, we can see a few dimples, and some dulling,
but overall good condition on the brite-work side. Dual pre finned
taillights are nicely rounded over on the supporting rear quarters
and flank a bulbous large trunk.
Interior
Swinging the doors open, well done and pristine door panels in red
wide tuck and roll on top of the panel, and black vinyl for the
bottoms, bordered by a wide polished trim spear, house nicely
polished cranks, and a Buick badge. Turning our attention to the
dash...in a word phat. Meaning big metal, big chromed bezel gauges,
and an even bigger center vertical ribbed, knob emblazoned, speaker
backed center panel. Enough chrome that you could almost use it to
brush your teeth or put your makeup on...but I digress. A split
bench in wonderful red vinyl bolsters with some tuck and rolling
going on top, and black vinyl inserts in the seating and lumbar
location, we are now in Buick heaven. Grab on to the massive
circular horn-rimmed steering wheel, and you know you are in charge
with a spin of it. No power steering here, so be prepared for a
workout, as this is one big, heavy piece of Detroit Iron.
Drivetrain
The Fireball Eight V8 weighing in at 322 cubes sports chromed valve
covers, a chrome air cleaner housing, which has a single 2-barrel
carburetor underneath, and a 3-speed Dynaflow automatic
transmission attached to the rear. All this comes in a very nice
engine bay package, all restored, and all correct stickered up, and
runs like a Swiss watch.
Undercarriage
All clean, no rust, and structurally sound with drum brakes all
around, independent front suspension, and 4 link rear suspension,
and plenty of nice undercoating.
Driveability
With a car this size, don't expect to rocket up to speed in record
time, as this car is definitely a cruiser. And it does not
disappoint in this area, as you could literally fall asleep at the
wheel, it drives that smoothly. As mentioned, no power steering, so
the winding back roads will give you a workout, and keep you awake
to boot. We ran this car through the knob turning and lever moving
paces, and everything worked even the radio, although getting an
actual station in was sketchy. Overall a comfortable driver for
sure.
Overall a beautiful example, smooth driver, and all buttoned up
visually. A few dimples in the chrome, but there is so much of it,
it could be a full-time job just to keep it polished. A super car,
that harkens back to an era when Detroit built them, and your
status in society reflected in them, it would be distinctly "by the
inch". So, go ahead dive in with both "feet".
Trim Tag
1953 MODEL 53-56R- 1953 Buick Super Riviera
STYLE NO 53 4537-1953 Buick Super Riviera
BODY NO G 2967-Flint MI Body #
TRIM NO 62-Black Pattern Vinyl/Red Cordaveen
PAINT NO 85-Matador Red Body/White Roof
ACC P-Easy Eye Glass
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 450 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.