Vehicle Description
The 1957 Buick showroom brochure said it best:
"Long, low-sweep styling, the new Sweep-Ahead Design, is instantly
apparent and eye-pleasing from every viewpoint. Along with this,
Buick in 1957 brings you a completely new car in action, power, and
performance; in riding comfort and smart new interiors; in driving
ease and roominess. And it is a car that is completely new in
all-around visibility.
Coming toward you, on the highway, there is no mistaking the fresh
new face of the Buick Roadmaster Riviera Sedan- Model 75. That
massive, gleaming grille- that extra-wide expanse of panoramic
windshield- say Buick and nothing else but. The same holds true for
that new low-swept silhouette- that bold new graceful styling.
"
Offered here is a remarkably well kept, and fully documented 1957
Buick Roadmaster Riviera 75 Hardtop Sedan finished in its original,
factory appointed color of Garnet Red with a later addition
two-tone of Dover White during restoration. Under the hood rests
its original, number's matching 364ci V8- 4bbl engine producing 300
horsepower mated to a smooth shifting Dynaflow automatic
transmission. These special top-of-line, flagship models came fully
loaded with options to include air conditioning, power steering,
power brakes, 6-way power seat, power windows, Sonomatic AM radio
with power antenna and foot control, E-Z-Eye tinted glass,
day/night glare proof mirror, electric clock, trunk light, wide
whitewall tires, and full wheel disc covers!
This cherished Roadmaster Riviera 75 Sedan was originally owned by
an entrepreneur based in Iowa who would use for highway visits to
his Midwest area motel franchise locations. After his passing, the
car would remain in the family being gifted to his daughter in
Colorado, largely left to rest for the better part of 20 years. A
long-time family friend was invited to purchase the car, which he
did, and had it towed to his Aurora, CO garage in approximately
1993. He would commence a mechanical restoration with new water
pump, brake master cylinder, fuel pump, exhaust system, fluids,
plugs & points, and carburetor overhaul to bring it back to life.
He would then tidy up the interior with a thorough cleaning and
re-dying of some faded components like the dash pad and upper door
panels, reupholstered the cloth seat inserts with new fabric from
SMS fabrics, and re-chroming the entire front bumper assembly. It
would stay in his possession through the summer of 1999, then sell
to a collector in Covina, California.
Once there in the dry, west coast, its new owner elected to
finalize the interior restoration with new carpet, internal seat
foams, lower door panels, padded dash cover, kick panels, and rear
package tray by Sardo's Complete Upholstery. The steering wheel was
restored by Quality Restorations, INC in Poway, CA. In addition, a
complete bare metal repaint of the virtually rust free body would
be carried out by Paint 'N Place in Placentia, CA between January-
March 2000. Photos of the bodyrestoration are included with the
sale. The car was showing just 36,336 miles at the time, so further
improvements after the cosmetic restoration included re-coring the
original radiator, flushing the coolant system & engine block,
installing a new thermostat and radiator cap; new suspension
components in sway bar bushings, upper/lower ball joints, & shocks;
new 8.00-15 Coker Classic wide whitewall tires; new A/C compressor,
drier, hoses; new rebuilt generator, etc.
Today, the car boasts only 47,783 miles on the odometer and having
traded hands to a Foristell, Missouri collector & antique
restoration shop owner in 2019, it was taken to the Buick Club of
America Nationals in Midwest City, OK that year for judging in
Class I achieving Silver, scoring 375/400 points! Since this
accomplishment, the starter has been rebuilt, Delco style AGM
battery installed, electric wiper conversion, original Wonderbar
radio rebuilt by S&M Electro-Tech for an AM-FM internal
conversion, and seatbelts installed. It continues to perform and
display wonderfully!
Included with the sale will be an original owner's manual, factory
instructional cards, 1957 accessory catalog, two sets of keys,
service records back to 1993, and several BCA Buick Bugle magazines
with photos of this car, including one feature article from
November 1996 after its initial discovery & restoration by Allan
Hambly. With just 12,250 Roadmaster Riviera 75 Hardtop Sedans
produced, it isn't surprising to learn that only 28 of them remain
registered with the Buick Club of America. They had a limited
survival rate and very few remain in all-original condition like
this very special example offered here. Do not delay, it should not
last long!
