Oh, Buick, where have you gone? Compare this magnificent 1969 Buick Riviera to today’s dreck pushed by GM’s upper-scale division, and you might find yourself asking the same question. This looker is a mix of originality as well as refurbishment, and the combination has left us with a beautiful car that wants for nothing. Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is where you’ll find it, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $26,900. Thanks are due to T.J. for this tip!
A member of the Riviera’s second generation (1966-1970), the 1969 Riviera was offered in a single two-door hardtop body style, spread across two trim levels, standard (our subject car) and Gran Sport (GS). Sales were brisk, with 52,000 copies finding new homes that year. The seller tells us, “Very clean, original, and good running 1969 Buick Riviera coupe survivor…Body is super straight and rot-free, with solid floors, trunk, and frame. Body panels have minor flaws, chips, and dings since half the paint and body is factory original GM, but the car presents very well as a super clean, correct driver.” The hue is known as Twilight Blue and is claimed to be “rarely seen.” I can’t factually support that claim, but I will admit to not encountering it often on a Riviera. It is said to be 50% original, and everything flows together well; I see no evidence of mismatched panel colors. The white vinyl top is spotless, there’s no evidence of ground-in mung or material fraying. The Buick road wheels are always a standout option, and in this case, they work perfectly with the period-correct, narrow white stripe tires.
The white vinyl bucket seat interior’s status reflects that of this car’s exterior; it’s excellent! White tends to yellow with age, but I discern no evidence of that here. The optional bucket seat/center console adds an element of sportiness to this large coupe, and the instrument panel reflects a car of this stature; it’s not cheap-looking or minimalist in its functionality. The seller states that the A/C works, and that’s always an added feature – one that’s frequently not the case in a car from this era. No demerits to be issued here!
An exalted model requires more than adequate power, and in this case, that mission is accomplished courtesy of a 360 gross HP, 430 CI V8 engine. The power plant and its surroundings are spotless, and the visuals have been enhanced with cast aluminum valve covers. The seller adds, “75k original miles, with over $10,000 in recent mechanical restoration (receipt included), including rebuilt engine, transmission, and servicing of brakes, rear differential, exhaust, and more. I just replaced the in-tank fuel pump, rubber hose, oil pressure switch, in-line fuse, and in-carb filter.” Rear wheel drive is facilitated via a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission.
What’s not to like? I hesitated, at first, over the price, but upon further consideration, I suppose it’s competitive. And, pricing is subjective anyway. OK, note to Buick, “Are you paying attention? You had the tiger by the tail at one point; this Riviera is evidence. Try something, anything, to recapture the elegance, styling, and performance that were traditional Buick hallmarks.” Do you think they’ll listen?
Lol, GM to recapture a Riviera like this J.O…#dream
100% agree, Stan and to your statement as well JOD. GM has relegated Buick to the level of an unwanted but annoyingly needed necessity with its rebadged “also-rans”.
Sad to see what GM is nowadays.
This beauty reflects a better time and stands as a potential icon of where we need to return-build quality and design as examples.
Someone will be getting a great car with this buy.
GLWTA
🎯 Nevada.
GM is now Obama’s legacy. Government interference in running a business.
It’s estimated that Buick’s sales in China for 2025 will exceed 26 billion U.S. dollars. Somebody somewhere appreciates their styling!!!
In-tank fuel pump ? Euh contribute to my education here was that oem ?
Not original, but GM did add them to some 1982 and newer Camaro and Firebirds to help hot starting issues.It was a pusher pump, low pressure
The ’69 and ’70 Riviera had an electric in-tank fuel pump from the factory. The oil pressure switch – if it malfunctions, then the circuit does not allow the electric fuel pump to work, and then you are not going anywhere. All by design from the factory. That is why those parts have all been replaced.
That number is registered to a classic car dealership…
The only tie to the Buicks of the late 1960s left at GM is actually GM NA President Mark Reuss. His father Lloyd was a legendary Buick engineer who (like John DeLorean) rose up through GM ranks only to be axed as GM President in the 1992 Board room coup.
Mark, are you listening?
These and countless other Buicks from that bygone era are unforgettable vehicles. The only reason Buick even exists today and didn’t join Olds and Pontiac into automotive oblivion, is because for some reason, the Chinese like them. GM can actually sell them there.
This restyle left me a little cold. Here is why. When the hidden headlamps came open, the car looked cross eyed. And after all these decades, it still does to me!
Why does the engine and trans need rebuilt at only 75,000 miles ? Warning bells going off. GM engine of this era were good for way past 100,000.
The Buick 430 has solid pushrods with a lifter oiling system, smaller than needed oil passages and oil pump. If this car sat, a first start up could have been disastrous. The timing chain can be a problem, also.
The 455 has a better oiling system with hollow pushrods, etc.
A REAL Buick! Beautiful.
very nice looking and a good color combo as well. love the buckets and floor shift. not too keen on valve cover choice but they could be changed. price seems about right for what’s being presented
As a “car person” of a certain age and a Buick aficionado, I’m aggrieved that GM would allow a marque so many decades associated with innovation, status, quality, and value to wither and perhaps even die. Yet it’s not surprising that the company whose bean counters decided to jettison Pontiac and Oldsmobile would eventually come for Buick.
i had a 69 riviera in the late 70s grey with light grey vinyl top and black interior . the size and weight of that car saved my wife’s life when she got t-boned by a ford pickup that ran a red light. sadly the end of my riviera but i replaced it with a 71 boat tail that i still own
Want!
Hey ya’ll,
You know I had a 1970 version of this Buick Riviera. That was pretty much a one off year, but that’s not why I’m here.
Ive tried to describe the shifter on these cars calling them a sickle shifter. Take a good look at the interior picture and on the console you’ll see the sickle shifter. I thought it was rather unique. If not, at least different. Still kicking myself fir getting rid of my ’70 and ’71
Looks like the automatic floor shifter in the 1970 Camaro. People call them horseshoe shifters or staple shifters.
Not the same as Camaro shifter, the Riviera shifter is an inverted L shape, shaft on right and handle coming out from it.
Those Buick motors had great torque apparently Angel. Must’ve been a treat rolling in a Riv 👍🏁
Fast with class.
Hi Stan! Merry Christmas! 🎄
One thing I loved about 60s and early 70s cars was the different configurations you could order. You could actually made to order a car. Some were luxurious while others were sporty and even more, you could combine the two. Some had a bench seat with a column shift while others had buckets seat with a console and floor shift. You could order skirts or not. Crank or power windows.
My ’70 Riviera was a combination of luxury and sporty.
It had the vinyl top, p/s, p/b, power windows, power door locks, power seat, bucket seats with the console and floor shifter, a/c, am/fm stereo, duel exhaust, the 455 cu in, ww, rally rims and the shorty skirts. I loved the combo of luxury and sportiness. A friend of my husband’s also had a ’70 Riv but his was a more base model, bench seat, column shift, no vinyl top, crank windows, but it had full skirts. Go figure.
Yes, I loved how mine had that duel exhaust growl, and would burn rubber when taking off from a red light.
Mustangs always wanted to race me, and I would always leave them in my dust.
My ’71 Boattail was the same, a combo of luxury and sportiness. My ’72 was just luxury. But all 3 had the 455 killer motor.
My grandfather had a ‘69 Riviera, same interior and too but his was a powder blue. I loved running errands with him in that beast, the interior smelled like cigar smoke and his cologne. I miss him still, died in ‘86. Rivieras will always remind me of him!
I am looking for a 69 pl8 can you email me [email protected] cash $$$$
Contact the seller via Facebook Marketplace.
JO
This ride is worth its price, reminds me of my brother’s 66GS, his was refrigerator white with a black vinyl top black interior
@Stan
My ’70 Buick Riviera
Jim, you expressed your opinion on what Buick has become and I couldn’t agree more. All of us who owned a real Buick back in the day and see the amorphous offerings that proliferate today; can’t help but grieve for the time when Buick ownership meant something. Chrysler has suffered the same fate. David and Walter must be shedding tears.
A guy I worked with had one of these with the original 2×4 bbl. setup. What a beast!
How expensive to make the hidden headlites work?
I would have thought p/w & cruise control were standard in a Riviera.
My first car was Mom’s hand down 69 Riviera. She bought that lime green poly new. Totally loaded with options like Buicks 8 track tape player, and cornering lights. I’ve been a Riviera fan ever since.
This doesn’t look like Twilight. That was a much darker teal color. This blue is beautiful and looks more like a Stratos Blue.