The owner of this 1970 Buick Riviera describes it as a gentleman’s muscle car, which seems like an appropriate tag for this classic. It presents superbly, but its throbbing V8 under the hood should ensure that it has enough power to satisfy most enthusiasts. It has a genuine 50,000 miles showing on its odometer, and the time has come for it to find a new home. Located in North Royalton, Ohio, you will find the Riviera listed for sale here on eBay. They have set a BIN of $36,900, although there is the option to make an offer.
The first impression made by this Riviera is positive. Its Glacier White paint shines beautifully, with no evidence of flaws or imperfections. The owner indicates that the vehicle received a professional repaint, but it isn’t clear when this occurred. The paint cloaks laser-straight panels, with some of the most consistent gaps I have ever seen on a Buick. It is long and low, and the rear fender skirts accentuate its appearance. There is no visible rust, and this car’s cause will have been aided by its spending most of its life in Texas. The underside shots reveal floors and a frame that are spotless, without so much as a trace of surface corrosion. The chrome and tinted glass appear flawless, as do the original wheels. This Riviera is a car with a genuine presence, and it would undoubtedly receive favorable glances and comments wherever it goes.
When you consider both its exterior and interior condition, there is little doubt that this Riviera has led a sheltered life. Its Black upholstered surfaces appear perfect, with no signs of wear or physical damage. The dash is immaculate, and the faux woodgrain trim shows no signs of edge lifting or fading. The pad hasn’t succumbed to the rigors of the Texas sun, and the console with its distinctive shifter appears perfect. Life inside this Buick is hardly going to be unpleasant. As well as ice-cold air conditioning, occupants receive power windows, power front seats, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio.
While Buick’s focus with the Riviera may have been firmly on luxury, they didn’t let down drivers seeking respectable performance. Lifting the hood of this classic reveals a 455ci V8 that churns out 370hp. The rest of the drivetrain includes a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. At 4,361lbs, that V8 is dragging a bit of weight. However, it can still propel the car through the ¼ mile in 15.1 seconds. The seller indicates that this Buick has always been appropriately maintained and features a new exhaust, new whitewall tires, and a new battery. It has a genuine 50,000 miles showing on its odometer and runs and drives like a new car. This Riviera is a luxurious turnkey classic ready to be enjoyed by a new owner.
This 1970 Buick Riviera is a spotless classic that seems to need nothing. It presents superbly, and its 455ci V8 should offer winning performance. The harsh reality is that it requires all of these attributes because it isn’t a cheap classic. It is priced right at the very top end for a 1970 Riviera in pristine condition. My initial thought was that the seller might have a wait on their hands before a buyer comes forward. However, with forty-five people watching the listing, that may occur sooner than we think. I’m still unsure whether anyone will come forward with the cash, so it might be worth watching the listing to see the outcome.
After owning one, I can attest these drive wonderful. Same engine specs as the GS455 Stage 1. Torque MONSTER.
Though arguably not as handsome as the previous years – and some may also argue the next gen (the “boat tails”), I found that I liked having the fender skirts – it reminded me of the larger ’67-’68 Wildcats, and Grandpa’s ’73 Electra. Classic Buick looks.
Because of the looks, I was able to buy it reasonable. I know some may not like the French style body side moulding (think Talbot Lago), but they’re one great classic Buick.
And, the ‘floating’ shirter (’69-’70 only) is one of my favorites…
As one becomes accustomed to the finer things in life, yes like with age a fine wine with the right meal becomes much more then a drink. There is little doubt that this Riviera has achieved this status and therefore becomes much more than a car simply to drive about but now is a experience IMHO.
I love these Rivieras. The one I had was green with a green vinyl top, black interior, very much like this one. Black with bucket seats, console, sickle shifter automatic, ps, pb, pw, pdl, 6 way pseat, a/c, all the amenities. Duel exhaust And it hauled a**.
Mine didn’t have skirts. It had the slim insert.
Here’s a pic of it in primer while my husband and I were working on it. Still kicking myself for getting rid of it in 2005 because of a divorce.
Divorce, you say?? I hear ya’, dear, I had to sell my cherished Diamond T pickup, but it’s best to move on. I look at what younger folks have for automobile choices today, and they can’t hold a candle to these GM cruisers( note “Gentlemans” Cruiser no longer applies). Just a different time. Planes were still expensive and iffy, trains and buses, self explanatory there, a cushy car was the best way to travel, when the ride itself was the adventure. “Sickle” shifter??? Regional dialect, perhaps?
Howard A.
If you look at the shifter, it does sorta/kinda look like the handle of a sickle (somehow that spelling looks wrong…THANKS, SPELL-CORRECT), you know, that gardening tool. Either that, or the worlds oddest/flatest putter head (face?).
Absolutely beautiful car, but after the 63 through 67 Rivieras, I think Buick kind of lost it. If your idea of a personal luxury car includes excess size, then this car and the boat tails are just right. Personally, I find the photo of this car WITHOUT the skirts, quite a bit more interesting.
I had one that was a rose pink color and a white Vinyl roof and skirts. White interior. In 76 I paid 1500 for it had 98000 on and looked and drove like day it came off the show room floor.
🙌
Simply exquisite!! Personally, I always thought that this was one of the better looking Riviera’s, and I like the fender skirts. GLWTA!! :-)
What’s not to like, I love this car. I know it is not the most popular year, but who cares this car is gorgeous. Take 37 thousand dollars to the new car dealer and buy a car and then think what you could of had for the same money. This car is a no brainier.
In 1964 i didnt even know what a mustang was. Why? Because as a kid i instantly fell in love the the new that year Buick Riviera. To me that was the car that I saw shape the future of GM products for the next four years. This one was even sleeker. Beautiful cars to compete with the T bird of the day.
I’m a big older Buick fan. I absolutely love this awesome car.
Lives in a nice neighborhood.
1966 Riviera – my favorite American car. All other Rivieras (except the malaise years), my second favorite American car.
Look at that undercarriage and engine compartment . Hell, look at the entire car, it’s a very well cared for specimen… I really like this car !
The early Rivieras were beauties, but I just hate those fender skirts.
Beautiful car, but I can’t stop thinking ‘cockroach’s arse’ when I see one.
That car is beautiful and worth every penny the owner is asking.
Steve Clinton
Did you take a close look at my photo of my Riviera? You can replace the skirts with slim inserts. The paint has come off of mine and they are all chrome.
Rivieras of this time were amazing cars. You could order it like a muscle car, buckets, console, floor shift, no skirts, etc., or as a luxury car, bench seat, column shifter, power everything, or a combination of the two, like the sellers car.
The overall styling of this year Riviera is so beautifully done — if you exclude the front bumper and specifically the chrome bar the curves up below the hood. What designer in his right mind thought that out of place, over-hanging chunk of iron fit the rest of the car? Such an unsightly wart on an otherwise beautifully integrated design…skirts included.
Mine was a 72 boat tail. I like these better with the skirts. Gorgeous. ” Honey, I got some good news and some maybe bad news.”
Pure class with a boatload of torque. What’s not to like?
The cost today to operate it? These traditionally got high single digits, and actually got a bit better mileage in town. $100 bucks a fill up, gone in an afternoon, will get mighty old. In fact, if this gas price business continues, and there’s every indication it will, gas hogs like this will fall out favor pretty quick, just like in the 70’s,,,you’ll see. People will be trying to afford $14 dollar, 4 packs of AA batteries, single digit gas mileage vehicles, not so much.
This is too clean to drive! Beautiful Riviera and judging by what people are currently paying for classic cars and trucks, the asking price seems very fair and worth it. Speaking of gas mileage, I had a ’71 with the 455 and it got decent mpg as long as I kept the pedal off the floor, no worse than a new full size pick-up, maybe better. (I was young and didn’t worry too much about mpg)
We Rv’ers have a saying. If you have to worry about gas, you can’t afford it. I have two. !970 green ext black interior. Current engine rebuild should be finished in a couple of weeks. Fuel injection, edelbrock aluminum intake, dual cooling fans, dough headers, and completely new ac system complete with evap coil and condenser. Would have posted pics but you have to be a member.View on my facebook page…stanley morton-atlanta