A major design homerun for GM, in my opinion, the sixth-generation Riviera was one of the company’s most elegant cars in this era. The sloping grille and front end makes the car look like it’s moving even when it isn’t, and the sweeping rear quarters give it a graceful yet muscular look. The seller has this 1979 Buick Riviera posted here on craigslist in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, and they’re asking $17,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip!
The best of GM’s trifecta of E-body front-drive two-door luxury cars of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Riviera seemed to have the most design thrown at it compared to the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado. Made for model years 1979 through 1985, they still look elegant and at least somewhat modern today, despite having big, flat chrome bumpers and individual rectangular headlights. Speaking of that, I wonder what hidden headlights may have looked like? Ok, maybe not…
This exotic color is known as “Black” (no fancy Anthrocite, Midnight Black, etc.?), and are you sitting down? The vinyl top color is known as “Tan.” Apparently, the designers got all of the budget, and the team that chose the color names had to make do with the extra $12.50 that was left over. 1979 was the first front-drive car for the Riviera series, and how about a four-door sedan body style?
Leather seating surfaces were optional, and buyers could choose between vinyl and “tufted velour”, as seen here. They look like new, even the padding and contours are crisp with no sagging or wear. The seller lists the mileage as being 49,950, so this is one ultra-low-mile car for being 46 years old. The back seat looks perfect, as does the trunk compartment. We don’t get to see underneath, but I can’t imagine this car was driven in the winter. They say the power antenna doesn’t work; otherwise, everything is working, down to the air-conditioning.
The clean engine compartment houses an Oldsmobile-sourced 350-cu.in. OHV V8 with 160 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. It sends power to a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission and to the front wheels. They don’t say how it runs and drives, but they do say that this car is in excellent condition, and it sure looks like it is. Hagerty is at $19,800 for a #2 excellent car, for a general reference. Have any of you owned a Riviera from this era?
Dr Olds brought the best motor option over for his brothers at Buick š
Beautiful looking car this Riviera.
These are great driving automobiles, I was a teen when Mom bought a light blue version. Had the cloth interior and the rocket 350 under the hood. Car had power and was well balanced, even with all the drivetrain up front it didn’t really feel nose heavy. I wasn’t as experienced as a driver as now but it drove really easy and rode softly. Consider the year automobile manufactures were on their heels trying to get emissions down to mandated levels and downsizing ,also imports were here.
These are beautiful cars. And ’79 is a great year to have with the Olds 350. Reliable as an anvil!!! One thing that I forgot about is that some Buicks actually used the ’77, ’78 Cadillac steering wheel. Just a different crest. I’m dozing off right now just looking at those seats!! And that black paint looks amazing too. Nice find Mitchell, I enjoyed your write up Scotty!!!
And Scotty….”Apparently, the designers got all of the budget, and the team that chose the color names had to make do with the extra $12.50 that was left over.”That was funny. I needed a good laugh . Thanks. I can just picture a conversation now…. Anthracite???? Nope can’t afford that… Midnight madness then??? Nope, even more expensive. ….. Black??? Perfect…. lol
Always had a soft spot for the E-Bodies. I.m.o. amongst the best looking cars of the early to mid 80’s ( okay i’ll include the Imperial also) each had it’s own distinctiveness and mission in life. Personal faves would be last year 85’s. A Turbo T-Type Riv, a Touring Coupe Eldo and of all things a Toronado Caliente.
The hidden headlights make it look like a Chrysler
And so does the 4-door version which also reminds me of a 5th Ave. Sorry, Scotty.
Otherwise this Riv. is a beauty. Hard to beat the 350 over the 307. Right color combo, too. Now, if it only had leather.
I second that observation.
Had an 85, last year for that style I think. Great car! Gave it to one of the kids, who ran it out of gas on a Houston freeway. Walked to get gas an no car when he returned. Never to be seen again.
My wife drove a 1983 Riviera in Black and Grey interior and we sold it about 3 years later. We regretted it selling it and about 6 month’s after selling it, I purchased another one (same year) in the same color combination and the VIN was 562 higher than the first one. But two years after that, we had a second daughter and my wife wanted a four door car. She wanted a Cadillac Fleetwood. And yes, she won.
great combo and an olds 350 to boot.
I have to laugh at the only accessory not working is the power antenna, as around that time I and some of my high school buddies assembled said antennas for GM in Rochester N.Y. and I can attest that the QC on those was less than stellar. One of our favorite pranks was to sneak up to a person in the assembly line with your silicone grease gun and quietly fill the back pockets of the unsuspecting victims pants with grease. Good times, not much attention to detail as far as the parts were concerned.
Yeah, and good times don’t last, especially when unionized jerk-offs are paying more attention to horseplay than to QC. It’s stories like these that helped kill off most of the US auto industry.
I’ve never heard about this foolishness going on at any of the Asian manufacturers. Maybe that’s why the last time I owned a GM vehicle was in 1975. It’s also a major reason my last five vehicles have been Asian brands.
Asian cars assembled in the U.S.
I had a Blue 85 that looked very close to everything else this car has other than the body color. I’m 70 so I’ve had a lot of cars over the years and that Buick was by far one of the favorites of all of them.
Very nice car , I think Iād dye the top black though it would be even nicer with no vinyl top. That interior looks so comfortable!
Scotty I do like the hidden headlights even if it gives a bit of a Chrysler look.