For Sale: 1983 Buick Riviera in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1983 Buick Riviera Convertible

"Over the years, Buick Riviera has built its reputation on personal luxury. And now, the personal luxurious sporting car concept has been wonderfully refined in the new Riviera convertible. This Riviera is equipped, just as other Riviera models are. A 4.1 liter V6 is standard, or a 5.0 liter V8 is available. Standard features include four wheel, low drag power disc brakes, power steering, self sealing steel belted, radial ply whitewall tires with wire wheel covers and Riviera's 4 wheel fully independent suspension, with Pliacell rear shock absorbers and front and rear stabilizer bars." Excepted from the 1983 sales brochure.

For consignment, a 1983 Buick Riviera convertible with a title verified 78,247 actual miles. The sales brochure encourages owners to "unzip the back glass window and lower the electronically controlled top. Uncover a refreshing new world of driving excitement."

Exterior
The white canvas top blends right in with the single stage Cotillion White paint on the period typical sharp edges and boxy design, wonderfully vintage by today's standard and incredibly ubiquitous back in the day. The fascia is recognizable certainly as a GM product, but also with some genetic Buick feeling with a centralized grille flanked by quad headlights and symmetric marker lights with chrome bezels that blend with the bumper below. A red pinstripe rides the waistline and perhaps a hint of the interior palette while horizontal tail lights fall below the decklid and wear the unmistakable Riviera emblem. 15-inch wheels carry the wire covers and whitewall and side molding, common during this period, helped prevent door dings with a thin band of hard rubber. Imperfections on this Riv include heavy crazing throughout, scuffs, rust on the top surface of front fender, rock chips and singular chips, broken bumper filler panel, filler, pitting in chrome bumper and door handles.

Interior
From the 60's through the 80's and beyond, the presence of plastic wood added a luxury factor to cars and it's here in spades beginning on the door panel dominated by Dark Maple Red materials, a carpeted insert, and brushed aluminum switchgear plates. Inside, bucket seats are designed with tuck and roll burgundy leather that presents in very nice condition with only a spot of wear on the passenger top. The cozy rear seats are like a monochromatic cocoon where the plush carpet, side walls and seats exist with the same, warm color. A three spoke steering wheel gives way to a plastic wood fronted dashboard, a familiar Buick speedometer, Delco AM/FM/Cassette radio, and standard A/C panel. The column shift and front wheel drive car leaves the front floor open and flat and covered in plush red carpet with matching mats, all in nice shape. The trunk shows light use but is fully finished in gray cloth panels and clean overall.

Drivetrain
Some fine detailing has created a clean bay where we find a 307ci V8 rated at 140 horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a THM325-4L 4-speed automatic transmission that keeps power up front through 2.73 gears. Power brakes, power steering and air conditioning, naturally, are all on board.

Undercarriage
We find driver quality conditions underneath with surface rust, residual oil, and filler and rust on the door bottoms. A single exhaust runs through a stock style muffler before exiting, power disc brakes are on all four wheels, and the fully independent suspension consists of torsion bars up front and coil springs in back.

Drive-Ability
The E-body platform feels familiar and comfortable as we bring the V8 to life and conduct a short lap on the test loop. We're on 35 year old tires here so babying this Riv through its paces. It runs well and of course, the interior is a nice place to be even if the real leather is accompanied by plastic wood! We note the right rear power window not working, the horn doesn't operate and the A/C is also not working. Beyond these things, functions work as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

While your family may have been relegated to a LeSabre or Electra, your single uncle picked up one of these; a two door luxury car with some sport and top down potential. What a cool ride that will still get looks and smiles today, especially from its new owner, regardless of your marital status.

1G4AZ67Y3DE425452

1-USA
G-General Motors
4-Buick
A-Manual Seatbelts
Z-Riviera
67-Convertible
Y-307ci 4bbl V8
3-Check Digit
D-1983
E-Linden NJ Assy Plant
425452-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your state's titling and registration process.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!