Note: The keen eye of reader Big_Fun spotted this Riviera as being a ’68 model, not a ’69 as stated in the listing. JO
No doubt about it, this 1968 Buick Riviera is a perfectly typical barn find but that’s not the reason that I selected it for review. No, I chose it because of its locale, it resides in Pahrump, Nevada which always breaks me up – it sounds like the verb “harrumph” you know, “to utter (a comment) disapprovingly” as defined by Meriam Webster and something that I’ve been known to do from time to time. Anyway, these big two-door hardtops (or coupe as some like to call them) are rapidly becoming a thing of the past and I like to document as many as I can find – I hope you find them to be a worthwhile read. This toasty-looking Buick is available, here on craigslist for $3,800.
Buick’s ’68 Riviera was a one-trick pony in that it was offered in a single two-door hardtop body style. There was an optional Gran Sport edition but that was more about appearance and suspension upgrades. Popular the Riviera was as almost 49K found homes in ’68. This one has been sitting for years and even though the seller claims “no rust” the burned-off finish and the long-departed vinyl roof covering reveal plenty of surface corrosion. That said, the body looks pretty straight, other than a minor dent or two, and all of the trim is still intact. I think that I would prefer Buick’s instantly recognizable road wheels to these clunky-looking chrome wires – the seller will discount the car’s price if it goes without them.
Power is provided by a 360 gross HP, 430 CI V8 engine spinning a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission. The seller tells us that the engine has “four-valves” which I think means a four-barrel carburetor. But, four valves or not, this likely 125K mile example is a non-runner – the radiator is missing and the starter is bad but the engine will turn by hand.
The interior qualifies for the “What in the Sam Hill happened in here?” award. It is ripped, shredded, stained (heavily – water intrusion or…), and cracked. By ’68 Buick, and other luxury car manufacturers, started to take the cheapo route with their dashboard/instrument panels and this Riviera is no exception. It’s OK but rather pedestrian for a car of this stature. Anyway, the fried nature of the weatherstrip attests to this Riv’s long sojourn in the hot Nevada sun.
OK, so it’s hard on the eyes and the interior needs to be fumigated and mostly replaced but there’s definitely a base here with which to work and the price is probably flexible. Buick V8s were among the best ever designed and built so the mileage isn’t really a detraction assuming some semblance of maintenance has occurred over the years. I don’t think I’d say harrumph to this project’s possibilities, how about you?
The Craigslist ad is wrong; this is actually a 1968 Riviera.
Missing radiator is a concern, especially in the high desert. Got to keep that 430 engine running in the proper temp range. In ’68, they ran a temp gauge, then switched to a two step warning light in 1969; ‘hot’ and ‘stop engine’. I’ve been told 210° isn’t considered abnormal by an old Buick mechanic, but that’s in the Midwest. Wonder is this example got too hot, and someone decided to pull the radiator for a cleaning. And then it was forgotten about.
With that being said, I would rather have this sun baked, general rust free body with questionable mechanics, than the reverse of that…
Buicks are head gasket blowers v6 or 8.The slightly shaped c cutouts for coolant flow on the heads at each end routinely blew into an end cylinder. Did a ship load of them in the 80’s and 90’s on 70’s and 80 ‘s buicks.3.8,4.1 350’s.Crappy external oil pump design too.Used to put oil pump gear extension kits in 80’s 3.8’s a lot too.But I still like Buicks!
Yep, we used to get a ton of thse 70s and early 80s 3.8s in our salvage yard. People got rid of them because at the time, that was a big expensive job . They must have improved the 3.8s later on
I’d buy it for the no rust body and the wheels.
These Riv’s of this era are the capstone of elegant style and design of large platform coupes from this era, fantastic lines.
Once again agree with bobhess, good dry sheet metal bones are definitely worth a well calculated punt.
👍🤓
The 67 and 68 model years were a nice evolution of the 63 through 66. I would say if it lived in Pahrump, Nevada it’s been burnt to a crisp in that heat, that said, it shouldn’t have much if any rust, hidden or exposed, that would make it a good candidate for a full restore project for someone jonezen for a 60s Riviera. However, the 63 through 67s are the ones to have, with the 67 being the most stylish and classy. After the 67s, the Rivieras sorta got a little weird. But that’s just me.
Cool car.Take the discount and dump those horrible wheels and put 15″ buick mags on it.So much easier on the eyes and look so much better.2k car tops imo.Needs a LOT of work.Who knows what it needs mechanically and parts for these are getting hard to find.
Plenty of parts, junkyards are full of LS motors :)
The 4 valves the seller advertised is probably 4 v or 4 ventricle…barrel
67 and 68 Riv’s are different, 66 and 67 were the evolution from 63-65. 68+ was another evolution after that. Very nice cars, I have a 64, beautiful riding car.
This model year 1968 Riviera has a 1970 Riviera bonnet (or hood). Model years 1967 and 1970 Rivieras came with the Riviera script on the drivers side (see photo). 1966, 1968 and 1969 had R I V I E R A letters on the front of the car. It’s not a 1967 bonnet, because these don’t fit a ’68. It’s a modified 1970 bonnet. https://i.ibb.co/f2h8P3W/70-bonnet-1968.jpg
Where’s my checkbook, oh wait how much is shipping to Houston, Texas? Oh, never mind, I’ll just keep tinkering with my 64 I’ve owned for 13 years now. I just love that car. This Riviera has a lot of potential, Everything is available for these cars if you know how to search the internet. There are places thar specialize in parts for Buick Riviera’s. elco69 is one he’s in California. Then there’s my friend Larry Daisey in Arizona, There’s also new parts stores that sell parts for these cars. Good luck to everyone involved. I would paint it re-sale red.
God Bless America
If it was a ’65 in this shape I’d say maybe, this one is a money pit, but if you have to have one it’s better than a salt car, I’d call it a leaverite…
John: I visited Larry when he still was based with his Rancho Riviera in Riverside, California. Sadly: Larry died at the end of last year.
The “Meet Larry” section on the website is now changed into “Meet Steve”….
http://www.rivparts.com/meet-steve.html
I had a ’70 Riviera, which is a one year only design. Similar to the ’68 & ’69, but different. Plus it had the 455-4.
This car is close to me and all the times I’ve been to Pahrump, I’ve never seen it, but there are a lot of residences far from the road. Pahrump has some great classics sitting around.
I hate being poor. If I wasn’t, I’d snatch this car up in a hurry, and as everyone says, ditch the rims for some Buick mags.
Riviera boat tail models of years 71-73 are more desirable years than this one, but the seller is offering it for a fair price. Good find