A known ownership history is desirable with any classic, particularly if the vehicle’s owners have been its custodian for many years. That perfectly describes this 1995 Buick Riviera, with the seller purchasing it from its original owner eighteen years ago. It has led a sheltered existence, presenting better today than it would have when it rolled off the line in Orion Township, Michigan. The time is right for it to find a new home, with the owner listing it exclusively as a no-reserve auction here at Barn Finds.
After a year in the wilderness, Buick revived the Riviera name in 1995. The styling was radically different from its predecessor, but it hit the sweet spot in the market. Buyers flocked to the new model, with 41,422 people handing over their cash to drive home in a new Riviera. The seller is this car’s second owner, and he has treated it to some upgrades to recapture the spirit of earlier models. It received a custom repaint in factory shades of Dark Jadestone Metallic over Light Jadestone. The optional 16″ aluminum wheels are color-keyed to the car’s darker hue, with the chrome center caps offering an attractive contrast. The rear spoiler is another excellent touch, as are the custom stainless steel lower body moldings. These features accentuate the car’s low and sleek styling and will turn heads everywhere. The owner has treated this classic with total respect, and with it never seeing winter weather, it remains completely rust-free. The paint shines beautifully, with no history of dings, dents, or repairs. The panels are laser straight, and the gaps are as tight and consistent as you would rightly expect from a prestige model. The plastic is immaculate, and the glass has no marks or defects.
Buick produced all 1995 Rivieras with a 3.8-liter V6 sending its power to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. As you might expect from a vehicle of this caliber, power steering, and anti-lock brakes were standard inclusions. The entry-level V6 provided respectable performance that satisfied many, but it was the supercharged version that occupies this classic’s engine bay that was the Riviera’s ace up the sleeve. It brought a 10% increase in engine power and a 20% improvement in torque. With 225hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, the “blown” Riviera could cover the ¼-mile in 16.5 seconds on its way to 138mph. This motor made the Riviera an accomplished vehicle on the open road, cruising effortlessly all day at 70mph. It would be right to expect the extra power to come at the cost of fuel economy, but that didn’t prove the case. The difference between the normally-aspirated and supercharged versions was almost immeasurable. This beauty has 110,000 miles on the clock, with the current owner adding 35,000 of those. It runs and drives perfectly and has been impeccably reliable. It has needed nothing but regular servicing under their stewardship, with only the typical “wear-and-tear” items requiring replacement. The owner says it is one of the nicest riding cars he has owned and has a throaty exhaust note. He is willing to forward a short video to interested parties so they can enjoy the sweet sound of that V6.
The Riviera name has always been synonymous with luxury and comfort; this 1995 model is no exception. Opening the doors exposes acres of supple Platinum Beige leather, with woodgrain trim to add a further touch of class and contrast. The owner identifies a tiny rip on the driver’s seat base as the only flaw or fault. The remaining upholstered surfaces look spotless. The same is true of the carpet, with the dash and console avoiding the ravages of UV rays. Occupants don’t miss out on safety and comfort features, with this Riviera equipped with a driver’s airbag, climate-control air conditioning with ducted door vents, power windows, power locks, power seats, a power trunk release, power mirrors, a trip computer, cruise control, and a premium AM/FM stereo radio/cassette player with controls on the leather-wrapped tilt wheel. There are no aftermarket additions, and every feature works as it should.
The Eighth Generation was the last for the Riviera, with Buick retiring a badge that had served with distinction since 1963. It remained true to its roots, providing owners with an ideal combination of performance and luxury. This one is a gem, with its supercharged engine increasing its desirability significantly. The winning bidder will drive away in a classic that would undoubtedly turn heads and be the ideal vehicle for effortless and comfortable long-distance journeys. However, it could also serve equally effectively as a daily driver. If that sounds impossible to resist, submitting a bid could see this beauty parked in your driveway.
- Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Mileage: 110,000 Shown,
- Engine: 3.8-Liter Supercharged
- Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
- VIN: 1FWCU0G98EUC70904
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
- lacubfan bid $3,802.00 2023-05-05 09:59:28
- Helix bid $3,600.00 2023-05-05 07:44:31
- James M bid $3,500.00 2023-05-05 05:21:05
- §aiPiaN bid $3,100.00 2023-05-04 18:07:29
- James M bid $3,000.00 2023-05-04 13:29:16
- Kevin7341@hotmail.com bid $2,800.00 2023-05-04 07:56:32
- James M bid $2,600.00 2023-05-03 21:42:03
- Kevin7341@hotmail.com bid $2,500.00 2023-05-03 15:23:24
- James M bid $2,200.00 2023-05-03 11:07:20
- Helix bid $2,100.00 2023-05-03 08:52:45
- Kevin7341@hotmail.com bid $2,000.00 2023-05-01 06:09:29
- lacubfan bid $1,500.00 2023-04-29 16:32:00
- James M bid $1,000.00 2023-04-28 12:40:16
- MitchR bid $750.00 2023-04-28 10:29:06
- ET bid $107.50 2023-04-28 10:03:21
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- 2012 B C A National – Charlotte Motor Speedway
The GM 3800 is a good little engine. We service a few of the SC ones, and they are surprisingly quick.
I worked on a lot of em at the shop and they were great engines.Only did a t chain in one once due to owner neglect not changing the oil regularly otherwise I never had one apart.Saw a few supercharged in Pontiac Bonnys and they did scoot pretty good on test drives.
Maggy, I don’t know if you frequent bone yards as often as I do, but when you look at odometers on cars equipped with 3800 engines, the majority made it to junk because of accident damage, not mechanical failure. It’s not unusual to see 3800 equipped cars with 200K or 300K miles on them.
I generally like all things Riviera. The proportions of the last gen seem off. I believe the last gen Riviera and first gen Olds Aurora shared the same platform. The subject car looks ok, absent the 2 tone paint and spoiler. It’s hard to see this going over $4,500 even with the supercharged 3.8
For some reason these remind me of a fish. Never a fan of two tones. Wasn’t there an ad that showed the whole side of the car (front fender, door opening, rear quarter) was all one stamping? Must have been a huge press.
No. The side ring did not encompass the front fender. 97 and up Park Avenue used the same technology, as well as the Aurora.
Love it or hate it, the ’95 Riviera was a rare example of courageous design for 90s GM. This one was clearly loved. I’m not a fan of the exterior mods (why wasn’t the two-tone extended to the roof and trunk lid??), but they appear to be nicely executed, so that gives hope that the rest of the car was treated with care. I do hope the next owner removes the spoiler. It hides one of the Riviera’s most distinctive features: the ridge that starts at the headlights, follows the beltline, and fades into the trunk above the taillights.
Cool Buick. Put the turbo arrow badge on this beauty 🏁 ↪️
I bought a spoiler from a junk yard. 95 to 99 were basically unchanged. Had it painted and set it on the trunk of my 99. Yup. Spoils the lines. Never drilled holes thank goodness.
The 1995 supercharged 3800 was based off the 170hp Series 1 engine, so the blower added more like 30% more hp to the base NA engine. Granted, the NA 3800 that year had graduated to the 205 hp Series II in many models, but it wasn’t available in all GM divisions cars until 1996. I believe 1995 LeSabres still had the Series I, for example. The Series 1 SC engines are nice and flexible because they don’t require premium fuel, but you get the most performance out of them using it. Series II and III SC engines required premium fuel. My SC 1995 Olds LSS is a great road car.
Will the price be in Canadian or US dollars?
US dollars
Is this not a true gem in the rough? I trained to drive on a Century and I really liked how it drove and felt under me even though I was a beginner driver. If I had to pick a car I’d honestly want to drive, it would be a Buick and i know whomever ends up getting this will get a quality we miss these days of a true all metal fiberglass shell.
I had a 95. Guy crosses the 4 lane and I t boned his full size Ford at 60. Lived. Had 265000 on it. Found a 99 Silver Arrow. Last year. They made 200. I have #70 of 200. Sweet ride. 196000 miles. I’m 64 and going to drive it out. Someone will want the bones when I’m gone. Just got 25 mpg on 87 octane. Never pinged. Gotta love pcms somedays.
What type of mileage did this SC 3800 get on the road at 65 mph ? Does it require 92 octane fuel ? Thank you. Are you located near Detroit ?
you should pull about 25 to 30 mpg depending on how steady your right foot is ………it requires 91 octane but I’ve run 89 no problem ..I’ve even heard it will run fine on 84 ….just not as peppy ( I’ve never tried it ) …
rivieradave
I hD a 87 Olds Toronado. It ran best on 91 octane and got 25 mpg at 65 mph. Thanks,Dennis
p.s. I live in Kitchener …. 2 1/2 hrs from the motor city
These engines “recommend” premium, but can tolerate 87 octane, unlike the Series II with the larger blower. I concur with the owner on the mileage to expect. I typically get better highway mileage with premium fuel as well on my 1995 SC 3800.
I remember the Rivers back in the mid 50s, and I dated a girl from west Texas at that time who drove one (her parents). The girl and the car were classics, her parents were the dregs… lol
1963 was first Rivera
Yes, As a stand alone model. I have a 1955 Special Riviera 2 door hard top.
I have the same engine and year and it screams quietly with the dynaride feature and gets 27 MPG
Apologies to the owner but the paint job is throwing me off. I doubt I would have gone for the two tone even if extended to the roof and trunk lid, but in its current livery the owner just seems to have ran out of paint.
The wood appliqué in the interior, however, is very welcome. I never understood why GM did not offer wood to dress up the interior. Afraid of outclassing Cadillac? When the car first came out I didn’t think of buying because the interior was just a sea of plastic.
You won’t be disappointed PRA4SNW. But make sure to inspect under. If one has never been thru a car wash or cleaned underneath they rust out underneath but rockers don’t. Deceiving. Looked at one in Chicago. Fuel and brake lines rusted plus structural components. Walked away. Cost me a plane ticket.
Nice to see BF feature one of these for auction. I have been attracted to these for several years now and is on my short list of autos that I want to own one day.
Although I am in no position to be buying a car right now, I will keep my eyes on this auction- who knows…
Neat car, beautifully maintained, microscopic market.
I almost wish I had room.. almost.
Since it was a US-built car, getting it back across the border to stay shouldn’t present too much of a problem.
Absent is a photo of the seat likely to have the most wear, the one which must be occupied to move the car.
People wishing to obtain the highest return for auction vehicles like this one should pay to have them put on a lift and photographed from underneath, with a number of close-ups.
These cars are pretty nice traveling rides. Set that cruise control and glide effortlessly down the highway!
the driver’s seat is in very good condition except for a small tear in the seat portion …it holds my weight no problem ( 200 lbs )
Rivieradave
Undercarriage needs pictures shown, no bid without.
I’m loving everything about this Riv!
Well everything except the stainless trim panels..
I’m okay with the spoiler as it’s fairly unobtrusive and….
I love the two tone paint.
At first glance I initially thought ‘Bugatti’ and to me it adds some extra class.
The 3800 is a bulletproof engine and the supercharger makes it seem like a luxury Grand National
All of that from a Ford Guy.
Yes , it was a great 90’s design but all of the add ons don’t work , the spoiler , the paint, the wheels , the stailess steel , it ´s all the opposite of enhancements as it ruins the look of this once great automobile
Be a great every day driver.3800 is a great engine too just about bullet proof.Like the pencil whites.I could see this going over 5k.Look what’s available nowadays for 5k…mostly junk.I agree with the look underneath the car comments.Brake lines , fuel lines etc.glwts.
I own one of the very first ones built of this model. The Supercharged model with SC wheels and trim and completely stock. I bought it for my wife’s birthday when it was new and it now has just a shade over 38,000 miles. Never used in winter nor left outside when not being driven, it shows as new.
I truly love the 3800 engine and have owned it a Series 1 Le Sabre, a Park Avenue, and the current Riviera. Great mileage with fairly good performance and absolute minimal mechanical issues. The ’95 had a very fluid design and it appeals to me today as it did when it arrived.
Best wishes with sale. (personally I would have left it all stock, but then that is subjective to individual taste. Mine is as it arrived off the delivery truck and will remain that way. No wood trim, no change to the exhaust tips, paint, wheels, spoiler, etc. There are less of these around by the day; I hardly ever see one on the road either in Florida or the midwest, whereas they were somewhat more commonly seen when new.)
I know it is a highly recommended maint. item to replace the Supercharger lubricant at intervals advised in the book. I did mine at the dealership at 35,000 miles as one does not wish to replace one due to failure.
Is your wifes car really for sale? Matthew 801-889-9072 yes interested.
Mr. G, what is the last six numbers of the VIN on yours? Early 95s were OBD I. Later ones were OBD II.
From what I remember on my 95 is they have the obd2 connector but only give obd1 data. I will check mine tomorrow. Ford f250 crossed my lane. I was going 60. Kept it for parts.
How do I pay?