Vehicle Description
Clean car with one older repaint and new convertible top. Strong runner, no rot underneath, cold A/C. Affordable summer fun!
The Riviera convertibles were available in two colors, White and the Red Firemist seen on this example, which is arguably the more desirable choice. This is not a show car but it has apparently always been treated as a special machine, which, with that giant price tag, shouldn’t be a surprise. It wears all its original sheetmetal and trim and we believe it has been repainted once in the past, the work was good enough to blend invisibly with the original enamel. As a result, the car has a very correct, OEM look that Riviera fans should appreciate. This is not a rusty car and has not been a daily driver for decades so it retains good gaps all around, the big doors fit well, and both the hood and trunk lid close without a major slam. Is it perfect? No. But on a summer day from behind the wheel with the sky above you, none of the small defects will bother you one bit.
Only one interior option was available on the Riviera convertibles, an attractive leather that GM called “Maple/Claret.” Whatever the name, it’s burgundy and it shows quite well. Yes, there are some signs of use and age, but there are no splits or tears in the seating surfaces, the foam underneath remains firm, and for a car with a red interior that spent a lot of time in the sun, there’s remarkably little fading. The Riviera convertible came only one way—loaded—so you get such niceties as power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, automatic climate control (converted to R134a and fully functional), a tilt steering column, and a decent-sounding AM/FM/cassette stereo .The dash pad, door panels and the woodgrained dash are in great shape, with only some minor wear around the driver’s door handle where the woodgrain ink has worn away for obvious reasons. Everything works in this car except the cruise control and it was fitted with a brand new white power convertible top just last year, so it seals up well. There’s a matching burgundy boot for the top and the trunk is upholstered in typical GM mouse fur and it includes a space-saver spare and jack assembly.
The engine is a 307 cubic inch unit that’s smooth and torquey and was actually the best choice, out-powering even the Eldorado convertible’s 4.1 liter V8, and this one continues to run superbly. It starts easily with a turn of the key and idles smoothly even when it’s cold. It’s really packed into the engine bay and is surrounded by hoses and valves for the A/C system and emissions controls, but time has proven that it’s a tough engine that needs little more than routine maintenance now and again. This one features a number of recent service pieces, including a recent A/C compressor, fresh belts and hoses, and a new battery, so it’s ready to enjoy this summer. It’s tidy and clean under the hood and shows none of the typical issues that a rust-belt car might demonstrate and the driving experience is quite contemporary.
The only transmission was a 4-speed automatic overdrive powering the front wheels. With the deep overdrive and 2.73 gears in the final-drive, it’s a superlative highway cruiser that pulls down decent fuel economy, so plan a trip to next year’s Buick national meet in this car. The chassis is not detailed for show, of course, but it’s not rusty and there are no signs of rot or structural issues. CV joints are in good shape and it offers a fully independent suspension with automatic load leveling in back, a system that remains fully functional. There are also disc brakes at all four corners and a fat roll bar at each end, so this Riv has the hardware to be competent when you want to do a little spirited driving. 205/75/15 whitewall radials are fitted to the original wheels with locking wire wheel covers.
This is not a show car, but it’s nicely maintained and ready to enjoy this summer. It’s also quite affordable and you won’t find many solid, functional, loaded convertibles for less. Give this attractive Riviera a second look and you’ll find that there’s a lot to like.
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
