Some cars become more than just transportation. Cars that are special to their owners and are held for a long period of time are often passed on to equally loving family members. Take for example the car you see here, which has been in the same family for an amazing 68 years. If you are in the market for a truly special Buick with a well-documented family history, have a gander at this 1954 Buick Riviera for sale on craigslist in Los Altos, California. This pristine Buick, which appears to be ready to roll down any road you take it has an asking price of $28,500. Does ample documentation and a long family history an influence on asking and selling prices?
The story on this car is quite amazing. It was originally purchased by the seller’s grandfather and later passed down to him. The seller (grandson) is now a senior citizen himself. While the ad is not clear as to whether this car was purchased new by the grandfather, we are told that there are complete records on the car from April 8, 1961 on. It was brought from Massachusetts to California in 1958. The ad does not tell us if it was a used car at the time, but it would be interesting to know. It would also be fascinating to recreate that cross-country trip in the car today.
As for the car itself, it is equipped with an automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and even power windows. It has also been repainted in a two-tone white on Forest Green (the correct color may be Baffin Green). The seller tells us that it is free of rust, dents and dings.
Inside, the car boasts that pure fifties space age styling that made vehicles like this so memorable. With the aircraft type levers on the dash and the sweeping speedometer, it is not hard to put yourself back in time to the space age in such a vehicle. We are told that the interior, which we presume to be industrial strength vinyl, does not have any tears or rips. We can see a slight ding on the dash.
The headliner and the trim bows we see in the picture above are another styling feature that shows Buick going that extra mile for the convertible top look. The hard top fad was in full rage at the time. People wanted their coupes to be open and airy like a convertible, but without the fuss of a flapping cloth top. Many cars of the era chasing the hard top look were simply convertible bodies with a minimalist metal roof bolted on.
Under the hood is Buick’s trusty 322 cubic inch Fireball V-8 boasting around 200 horsepower. Better known as a Nailhead, this engine powered thousands of Buicks and was often seen under the hood of early hot rods. The seller has an additional 322 Buick engine for sale if the buyer is interested in having a spare. Also, a number of spare parts and a shop manual go with the car at no additional cost.
The seller also tells us that some areas were replaced or refurbished. The trunk was completely reupholstered as you can see from the picture above. We are also told that the bumpers and grille were re-chromed. Consider that a big selling point, as getting large items re-chromed has become very expensive. I have even heard that wrapping large bumpers up and shipping them to Eastern Europe for the procedure has become far cheaper than having it done stateside.
Overall, this is a very desirable automobile. There is great story here and it is easy to believe that the history of the car makes it more desirable. Does that desire translate into a higher price? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Great story. Great car. I am not a green car guy, but it sure looks good on this Buick.
It was late, but wasn’t this one of the three I submitted lately?
I may have forgotten to cite you for the referral. If so, I am very sorry. Hopefully you liked the story.
Beautiful, well documented and love the green!
Not a green fan either but I can’t figure out how these folks keep finding green cars that I really like. Like this one.
Nice car and worth the buy in.
The level of preservation here is amazing. This car has been lovingly cared for for decades.
Buick used the term “Riviera” to denote 2-door hardtops, and it was used for all four series. This particular car is a Roadmaster, Buicks top series.
Green is noice
“(C)onvertible bodies with a minimalist metal roof bolted on” ? Not.
It has been said that people whose favorite color is green are more likely to be genius. That being said, Green is my favorite color. At any rate, This is a very nice Buick that would look wonderful parked next to my 64 Riviera. The biggest problem being my garage is to small and there’s no room for expansion. This car should never be stored outside, a temperature controlled environment would be preferable, but at least a dry concrete floor garage is a must. Have a wonderful day.
God Bless America
“The hard top fad was in full rage at the time. People wanted their coupes to be open and airy like a convertible, but without the fuss of a flapping cloth top.”
Thank you Jeff. They weren’t just sedans and coupes without a “B pillar”, but a body style all by itself. Not that hard and writers today twist themselves into knots trying to explain what the body style is.
There’s been a hardtop in my driveway since 1974: 66 Comet Caliente, 65 Dodge Monaco, 63 Plymouth Valiant Signet.
In the mid ’60s GM included a top bow pressing on some of it’s hardtops. Add a vinyl top and the convertible market slowly died.
Beautiful car. I’ve had my 63 Valiant Signet for 40 years. 68 is amazing.
Another is the 86 Olds Calais I bought in 92 and that was passed around the family from 99 to 2017 and now back to me.
A ’95 Saturn SL I bought in 2004 and gave to my little brother in 2010: he’s still driving it and it’s meticulously cared for and now with over 200,000 miles.
The last is one I bought new in ’05. I won’t need a new one for many years to come if ever: 81,000 miles at this point. Looks like a late model, fresh tires and brakes, passed the smog check last week.
It’s a sickness, Jeff. It really is.
I like green, but this isn’t a particularly attractive shade judging by the pictures. It likely looks better IRL.
What a treat, though. Thanks.
The term, “Riviera” simply denotes the fact that it’s a 2dr. hardtop with a B-pillar. what model is this? I see 4 potholes, but does that mean it’s a Super or roadmaster? I’m guessing A Super but can’t be sure.
Will Fox: The seller’s description calls it a Roadmaster.
Lots of photos, but it would have been nice to see it in profile.
Really A Riviera in those years designated it as a hard top not a body the models roadmaster super had the same body special and century had the same body which had a different roof line
This is a beautiful Buick Roadmaster. The Riviera designation applied to all Buick hardtops of that era. Oldsmobile hardtops were Holidays, Pontiacs were Vistas, DeSotos were Sportsmans, etc.
Wonderful cars; my Family had a ’54 Roadmaster, which this is in Series,
in Blue with a White Roof. Automatic and Power Steering, a big deal in
those days. I loved the design and interior of this car and as large as it is
the only thing slowing it down is the Dynaflow, known to you as an obese
Powerglide. But it was smooth. And confused in the corners; suspension,
coils on all four sides made the car waltz through imperfect roads and going too deep into the corners. If I had the room I’d jump on it.
Too bad someone decided to spend the money to make this Roadmaster’s seats look like a 50s pickup truck! A few $$ necessary to fix that correctly, but still, where would you find another 54 RM ht in this shape?