Vehicle Description
1985 Buick Riviera Convertible
Expensive and built in limited quantities, the 1982 Buick Riviera
convertible was never meant to be a car for the masses. It may have
ended up a footnote to automotive history, except for one thing:
the luxury cruiser marked the first drop-top from GM since the 1976
Cadillac Eldorado convertible ushered out an era. Each Riviera
convertible began as a coupe before being shipped to American
Sunroof Corporation for modifications that required 300 parts and
10 hours of labor to complete. The base engine was a252ciV-6, rated
at 125 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque, but buyers wanting
more performance could opt for the307ciV-8, rated at 140hp and 240
lb-ft of torque. After four years of production and 3,898 units
assembled, GM pulled the plug on the Riviera convertible following
the 1985 model year. While neither the Riviera nor its slightly
upscale sibling, the Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible,
introduced in 1984, were a commercial success, both foretold the
return of the convertible to the U.S. market, and more mainstream
models would soon follow.
For consignment, a very nice, mostly original, low mileage,
well-kept and pampered Riviera with a mere 46,680 title verified
original miles. This was the Riviera convertible's final year on
the market, GM built just 400 examples in total, priced from
$26,797. With options piled on, however, it was relatively easy to
price a Riviera convertible well beyond the $30,000 mark.
Exterior
Bathed in its respray of the factory paint color, Red Firemist
Metallic, we can see little to no faults or aging of the straight
steel panels and oft cracked or missing front and rear fillers. The
car is from 1985, but has low mileage, and this car presents as
such. One can pretty much guarantee this car was garage kept as
both the front and rear filler panels are present and accounted
for. A white canvas power convertible top covers the passenger
compartment and the ASC conversion giveaway is the small glass rear
window that is even equipped with a defogger. The chrome bumpers
both front and rear as well as the bumperette present nice and
shiny with nodimpling or corrosion. Even the black trim strips laid
into the chrome remain intact and mar free. The brite work is clean
and the trim around the rear of the top is equipped with buttons
for the snap-on tonneaucover, actually 2 separate ones are
included. Nice chrome and black turbine style wheels are spotted on
all 4 corners along with nearly new Vogue 215/75R15 radials.
Interior
With the top lowered we are allowed a birds eye view of the
luxurious maroon bolstered and white insert leather buckets, (only
in the sense there are two seats and they are separate), and
spacious rear bench are seen. More maroon makes an appearance on
the door panels for both the vinyl uppers, molded center and
carpeted lower. Brushed stainless inserts hold the toggles for the
power windows, power locks, power seat and power mirror joystick.
Burl feathered veneer accents abound in the door panels and cover
the dash, meanwhile polished stainless highlights the seat frames.
All straight and square and rectangle design right out of the 1985
design playbook, the dash is very clean and unmarred. A small
center console glove box is flanked by the front buckets and is
maroon vinyl and plastic. Conveniences such as climate control,
power front seats, an aftermarket AM/FM/CD radio,(the original
radio is included), power steering and power antenna are on board.
The dash is topped with a maroon padded topper and remains crack
free. Very clean maroon plush deep pile carpeting covers the
floors, and new Buick carpeted floor mats cover the carpeting. My
piggies are wiggling to get a feel of that softness.
Drivetrain
A little dusty but otherwise a very nice presentation for the
engine bay which holds the correct 307ci V8 topped with a 4bbl
carburetor. It is mated with a TH325-4L 4-speed automatic
transmission to its rear. A 2.73 geared final drive turns the front
tires.
Undercarriage
Save for the occasional surface rust on straight steel parts,
(mainly suspension), the undercarriage maintains its integrity with
plenty of rustproofing coverage on the floor pans, and
undercarriage surfaces. Looking underneath the doors we see clean
rubber weather stripping, and only the beginnings of rust at the
driver's door lower seam. Giving this Buick its trademark ride is
an independent torsion bar front suspension and a torsion beam and
coil spring rear suspension and for the stopping power we note
power disc brakes both front and rear. A newer single exhaust
system is seen that splits to dual outlets after passing through
the stock replacement muffler.
Drive-Ability
This car started right up, ran flawlessly, and is a wonderful
comfortable cruiser with a kick. It handled our test track with
ease and provided such a smooth ride my cohort, partner in crime,
and crack decoder dozed off in the rear seat. All functions working
as they should save for the radio and power antenna not operating,
the windshield washer not spraying, and the driver's power lock not
unlocking from either door switch. A well planned out ergonomic
interior with every option well placed for ease of operation.
A very nice example of a low mileage Riviera from 1985. Well kept,
one of 400 built, and remaining rust free. Square and Rectangle
late 70's early 80's design mmmmmmmm delicious!
1G4EZ67Y2FE409084
1-USA
G-General Motors
4-Buick
E-Manual Belts
Z-Riviera
67-Convertible
Y-307ci V8
2-Check Digit
F-1985
E-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
409084-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
