“There are two types of automobiles that stir and inspire man’s love of car. The road car, with all its fun-to-drive potential; and the luxury car with all its opulence.” So pontificates a brochure for the 1977 Buick Riviera. This barn find road-car-meets-luxury-car can be found posted here on craigslist in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the seller is asking $6,950 or offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for sending in this tip!
Independence Red is a perfect color for a car made for the Bicentennial year. You can see that the bumper filler material is gone from both the front and back, so you’ll have to track that down, install it, and have it painted, or do that in whatever order you think is best. It really needs that to look normal, though. You can’t have luxury with gaping holes between the huge bumpers and the body.
Buick made the fourth-generation Riviera for model years 1974 through 1976 and they were highly optioned from the get-go as Buick’s top model. Just over 20,000 were sold in the final year of this generation before they shrunk about a half-foot in length. The upper brake lights on this model are interesting and they predicted what would become law in a few years.
This was the end of an era for Buick for the most part. 1977 was when the cars were resized/desized and if you wanted to buy a big GM car, especially one from the Buick division, this was it. Standard power windows were unusual enough to be mentioned in the ’76 Buick brochure. The seller says that the seats are “leather”, but I believe they’re vinyl and they look perfect both front and back. I don’t see a flaw inside or outside this car other than the missing bumper filler material.
The engine is Buick’s 455-cu.in. OHV V8, which by 1976 was down to just 205 horsepower. The seller says this is a true barn find, but it was just serviced and runs and drives and they even say it has “cold AC”. Hagerty is at $7,900 for a #3 good-condition example and $13,100 for a #2 car. If this one checks out and that bumper filler material can be replaced without breaking the bank, this could be a fun car – despite the probably 10 mpg.
I say if your foot is heavy & you like to headers on a car it’s worth the 10 mpg plus a holley sniper fuel Injection, stage 1 heads & camshaft with braided brake lines would put a smile on you & your crew everywhere you went!
Lack of bumper fillers makes it a perfect candidate for a bumper tuck
Other than that drive it till any normal issues occur then upgrade as you go brakes, carb (to FI) etc…
That’s a real classic !! BUICK produced some of the nicest cars of our U.S. Automakers . Always liked Buicks even way back in the sixties . They were usually expensive to purchase when new , but were well made and lasted a long time . Good News for all Buick owners : Theres a company in Chino , California where they have parts for all makes and years of Buick automobiles. You can probably locate them online ! Happy Motoring
I’d hope the bumper fillers are available, then fix what’s needed, preserve as original as possible and enjoy it for what it is, a gorgeous, comfortable luxury car with a big engine. It would help to put dual exhaust on it. The interior looks brand new, and this car is loaded with options. I hope it finds an owner who’ll do just what I wrote above.
Replacing the bumper fillers, at least $2,500.
Unless my eyes are deceiving me, or the angle of the pic is off, looks like bubbles under the vinyl roof at the base on the left side sail panel. Could be a problem.
Other than those, a good price for a nice car & a very nice vinyl interior.
I love the fact that Buick used Cadillac styled steering wheels in some of their models such as the Park Avenue starting in 76 and like this Rivvy with it’s 71-73 Caddy wheel.
That was when the telescopic steering column was ordered. One of my 85 Rivieras has that and my 78 Electra Limited, as well.
WOW….now for a split second, (don’t come for me on this), but for a second that first pic of this old girl on the trailer? Her front-end was giving me a ’75-’76 Cadillac vibe!!!
She’s a pretty beast!
The front sheetmetal and doors are carryovers from the ’73 boattail. The ’71 Toronado was first to use the high mounted brake/turn lights.
Bumper fillers $350 front and rear, complete set. The will need painted.
Nice wholseome project car. If you open the CL ad, you can enlarge it to see the bubbles mentioned. Id drop the vinyl top, and do a bumper set back F&R finished off with a Buick Sport steering wheel (Gran Sport that is!). Under the hood is a whole different issue Rattle can black on the rusty air cleaner and what looks like clear on the hoses and the rest. Just sayin’.
Also the 60/40 split bench is nice. Cruise and speed alert. Drivers visor needs a trim repair. I’d give it a 97. Good rythm and easy to dance to LOL…
Also light monitors, believe the ’76 had them front (fender mount) and rear (center top of rear window, inside), low fuel monitor light, and stand up hood ornament.
Bought after market bumper fillers for my 1976 Buick Regal from a company in Missouri and installed them myself. 60.00 bucks for the fillers a few years ago. They may actually make replacements bumper fillers for the Riviera not sure
I prefer 71 /73 Boat tail Riviera over this bloated blocky thing, I even prefer the 77/78 body over these which was almost a Lesabre,
With all due respect, John, we have the opposite point of view. I never cared for those boat tails especially the ’73s with those mandated bumpers.
I like the formal roofline on the ’77-’78s and especially the 25th anniversary edition with the gray leather and black piping.
Changing it to a 700R4 would certainly up the mileage !!