Hiding in this garage is an ideal candidate for an enthusiast seeking an affordable, luxurious classic they can drive and enjoy immediately. It is a 1969 Buick Riviera, and while it isn’t perfect, the new owner could address its shortcomings as time and circumstances allow. Its original 430ci V8 provides plenty of power, meaning this classic is an iron fist wrapped in a silk glove. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Matt H. for spotting it.
Buick released the Riviera in 1963 to enter the emerging Personal Luxury Car market segment. It set its sights on the Ford Thunderbird, and initial sales were encouraging. The Second Generation hit showroom floors for the 1966 model year, with the latest model being longer and wider than its predecessor. This 1969 Riviera has a known history, which many enthusiasts view favorably. The seller is its second owner, having received it from their grandmother, who drove this Buick off the showroom floor. They confirm it has a Salvage title following a minor fender bender in 1992, and that might impact whether potential buyers pursue this classic further. The Turquoise paint shines nicely, and although the supplied images don’t provide an effective overview, there are no signs of significant problems. The Black vinyl top is in good order, and potential buyers will welcome the news that rust is confined to one small area in the passenger-side floor. It has been garage-kept since Day One, helping to explain why it is so solid. There are no significant trim issues, but the seller indicates the headlight doors are non-operational. The car rolls on a set of original sports wheels, and the tinted glass looks flawless.
Buick didn’t mess around when selecting the engine that would power its luxury model. This classic features its numbers-matching 430ci V8, which produces 360hp and 475 ft/lbs of torque. The ponies feed to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission, with power assistance for the steering and brakes cementing this car’s luxury credentials. This Riviera tips the scales at 4,354 lbs, making its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 15.4 seconds on its way to 134mph particularly noteworthy. Placing that figure into perspective, the Thunderbird took 15.9 seconds to complete the same journey. The seller recently replaced the radiator, water pump, alternator, tires, and brakes. They confirm that the engine starts every time and that the Riviera runs and drives well. That will allow the new owner to enjoy it immediately, addressing any shortcomings as circumstances permit.
The Riviera’s interior is complete and serviceable, but its most significant shortcoming is the deteriorating seatcovers. They are probably beyond the point where an upholsterer could save them, meaning the buyer faces an outlay of over $900 for a replacement set. Those on a tight budget will find that unappealing, although a set of high-quality slipcovers would hide the issue for a fraction of the cost. That is worth considering and would be the path I would choose as a short-term solution. Covers occasionally appear on the usual online auction sites, raising the possibility that patience may be rewarded with a bargain. The remaining trim is in good order, with no visible dash or headliner issues. The lack of a drive belt suggests the air conditioning is inoperative, but the seller recently replaced the regulators for the power windows. Other luxury touches include cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM radio.
There is something undeniably attractive about purchasing a classic with a known history, and that is the opportunity offered by this 1969 Buick Riviera. The seller listed this survivor here on Craigslist in Portland, Oregon. They set their price at $8,500, meaning the buyer receives a lot of steel for their money. It needs work to return to its former glory, but an enthusiast on a budget might find it tempting. Would you consider pursuing it further if you meet that description? I wish you luck if you do.
Good looking ride but, only 8 pictures? If this been garage kept. Why do the seats look like it’s been outside a lot. They made leather/vinyl cleaner and conditioner for the seats. No pictures of the frame. Otherwise a very fair price. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Love the large 2 door land rockets, my Dad had one of these with same setup. My uncle had a couple of T Birds, they loved them fully optioned. I look at this car and can still smell the combination of Old Spice, cigar and leather!
Great looking cars they are. Always loved the subtle W styled into the front and rear.
The ad says the headlights work but they (the doors) don’t retract. Does that mean that the headlights are on, but can’t be seen? If so, GM bad design! Very dangerous. I don’t know how a fender bender would result in a salvage title unless it was totalled. Lack of pics is also a red flag…
Aren’t these headlights designed to flip up/down?
I think we can assume the doors are always open and the headlites work by the switch.
Nelson – A friend of mine had one of these back in the 1970s. Same year, dark grey with black top. Clean as a fire engine. The headlights pointed up when not in use and then they rotated down when they were turned on. I think the grill rotated too but its been about 50 years so might be wrong. So if they don’t work they’re probably just pointing straight up at the hood pad! You can’t just open the headlight doors like you could on some cars from this time.
Probably wouldn’t take a lot of body damage to total one of these cars in the early 90’s. I don’t imagine the car would be worth over $3k to most people in the early 90’s.
I got hit a couple of years ago in my 2005 GMC truck. The body shop had to replace one bed side and paint it. I think the shop charged the other guy’s insurance $5300. I bought the truck for $5500 two years before the wreck! I was surprised it wasn’t totalled.
In 1997 I’d just bought a very clean original owner ’72 Olds Cutlass S for $2500. I had the car about two weeks, just installed new dual exhaust and tuned it up when I was coming thru a green light where traffic turning left from the other direction was suppose to yield, this Asian guy did not, smacked right into the driver’s side fender. Damage was not terrible, fender took the brunt and the hood was slightly creased. The insurance company totaled it. Paid me $3200 (plus an additional grand for “injuries”, even though I never asked for it, or complained of an injury) for the car. I bought it back for around $600, IIRC, and ended up trading the car to a friend of mine that operated a body shop for body / paint work on another ’72 Olds I had bought. It was not uncommon for these cars to have minor collisions result in them being totaled. A salvage title on one of these cars would not dissuade me assuming I can inspect and verify that it was minor damage causing the change in title. I would consider the salvage title when it comes time to agreeing on a price though. That has to be considered as a ding against the value.
I don’t know how Oregon title laws work but here in Wisconsin it would total very easily. Unless it had classic insurance the unrestored car wouldn’t be worth a lot. I bought a 1966 Riviera with 39,000 original miles out of the salvage pool that needed a fender and a front bumper. This was in 1987. I paid $400 for it.
Article address the seatcovers as needing replacement for $900 and ”those on a tight budget….. ”
The words ‘tight budget ” and fixing up old cars should never be in the same thought. Those who try it are the ones with their house surrounded by junk cars….
VERY nice 69. I have the same engine only yesterday drove it home from having the EFI 2 Fuel injection installed. Although my 54 has a new rolled and pleated interior I would love to have the 69’s, Someone is going to get a fine car. Hope they treat it well. .. OH with the new fuel injection, I may not change out the tranny it runs so well.
I had a 69 Riv GS and it was one of the finest cars I ever owned. Fast and beautiful. Had buckets and all the extras. Wish I had it today.
I see “The Club” on the steering wheel. Those things are so stupid and people buy them anyways. A steering wheel has a very soft, bendable metal core. It can be hack sawed in less than a minute or less with bolt cutters then remove the club and duct tape the ends. If you want to keep a run able car from being driven away, remove out a part that is needed to run, an ign wire from the coil, a distributor rotor etc. Newer vehicles can have the fuel pump relay removed, etc.
Cordless tools are so inexpensive nowadays, that steering wheel wouldn’t stand a chance against a reciprocating saw. Bye bye club.
Amen!
Or just add a third pedal.
You lost me on that one?
Compared to a Toronado, this Riv is a more worthy restoration project. It looks like an outlay of an additional $10k is needed to get this up to a decent show car. The 430 will hold its own versus the Toronado’s 455 and it’s rear wheel drive, which I greatly prefer to FWD.
I had a 69 Riv, sold mine in 2020 for $5500 with 46,000 original miles. Two complaints on the car. It had the shortest front seat leg room of any big car I have ever owned and to change the rear brake light bulbs you either needed a skinny 9 year old with great dexterity or pull the bumper off. Ride was great…
Love this year Riv!
Those fibre optic lighted fender monitors were never an option for this model year 1969 Riviera.
Weirdest lead picture ever! I thought it might be a custom tuba or something-
I had a 1969 Riviera back in 1975/1976. It was a really fun car. I later had a 1966 that was way cooler!
My Grandfather had a 69 Electra that we eventually junked, It put a valve through the piston. I stripped the car as usual and I still have most of the dash gauges, switches and interior things. I did use the inside rear view mirror on my 65 Cadillac. It had a cool little map light built into the bottom. This happened around 35 years ago and I just turned 66, where did the time go???
You don’t put white letter tires on a Riviera
My Lord
Cadillac kid, to your earlier post, he was referring to how thieves nowadays can’t drive cars with manual transmissions. As to time, I can relate.
Thanks for that input, it’s funny.