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 a 252ci V-6, rated at 125 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque, but buyers wanting more performance could opt for the 307ci V-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 no dimpling 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 tonneau cover, 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.