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.