The Special was one of Buick’s most enduring nameplates, lasting in one fashion or form from 1936 to 1996. It was usually the entry-level Buick, but this 1954 Special Riviera is anything but basic. Until the Riviera became a personal luxury car in 1963, the sub-name was used to describe Buick’s 2-door hardtops. This 1954 edition has had a lot of work done, but the seller stops short of calling it a restoration. It apparently needs little and could be driven anywhere, as we’re told. The car is in Philmont, New York, and is available here on craigslist for $14,000 (the seller says he/she has $33,000 invested in the car). Thanks for the nifty tip, Rocco B!
Post-war Buicks were reworked going into 1949 and began to look more modern. They received all-new bodywork that included a dramatically styled grille where multiple grille bars also served as bumper guards and extended over the front bumper. A subsequent redesign came in 1954 and the cars were much wider and lower and came with “Fireball” V8 engines rather than inline eights. Buick became more visible as a brand in the mid-50s after sponsoring such TV shows as The Buick-Berle Show (Uncle Miltie) and The Honeymooners (Jackie Gleason).
The Buick Specials of 1949-57 were signified by their three Ventiports on the front fenders (more upscale models wore four). Out of more than 449,000 Buicks built in 1954, the Special Rivera coupe accounted for some 71,000 copies, including the seller’s nice machine. It appears finished in Arctic White over Titan Red, a recent repaint. The seller has owned the car for six years and has invested more than twice the asking price in the automobile during that time.
From what we interpret, the 44,000 claimed miles could very well be accurate. The 264 cubic inch V8 engine is paired with an automatic transmission, which has been rebuilt. The interior is good although we’re told the front bench seat cover will need to be replaced. The Kelsey Hayes wire wheels are a real standout and are flanked by four new radial tires. Everything else seems okay with the car except that the gasoline gauge is finicky (welcome to 1950s technology!).
I don’t think “invested” is a word I would have used as regards the money spent on this Buick. An old car can be an investment for higher dollar cars but apparently not for lower value cars like this one. It seems in general, prices for cars from the ’50s aren’t bringing the money they used to. That’s probably because the guys who loved these cars are dying off or are too old to enjoy them. I wonder if that will happen to muscle cars from the ’60s? The guys who liked those cars getting pretty long in the tooth at this point, some 50-60 years later. At any rate, somebody will certainly benefit from the money poured into this nice old car.
I have a ’08 HD Street Glide Special w/22k I will trade him for right now.
Good point FordGuy1972. I am with a car club and shows. The younger not many old car owners in show. I’d say the average age is about 65 years old for a owner. Yes there are more shows in my area than before Covid. But a older crowd. I personally find theses people very friendly. I made a few permanent friends at shows.
Well, most of the old-timers at car shows/cruise nights are retired and don’t have to work every day, so they have the time. Younger guys are busy working and raising a family and may not have the funds or the time for the old car hobby. But you’re right, Michael Ferrino Jr., a lot of the car guys at shows are getting up there in age, myself included. Overall, I’ll agree with you that car people are friendly folk.
That’s how it goes. It probably started with brass cars, and will eventually happen to 60’s muscle.
I think another contributing factor is finding people who can work on them. Not all enthusiasts have the skills to work on their own cars, and the requisite mechanics are getting harder to find.
FWIW, my local Chevy dealer won’t work on anything older than 10 years.
Got to go where the money is, I guess. My former mechanic ( now retired) would work on all the rich people’s cars with more money than sense. While my common VWs, Buicks and Ford’s rusted away in his back yard. Had to find a different mechanic. It’s not easy.
Nice to see cars featured that some of us can
actually afford.
All I gotta say is that getting old, and long in the tooth suck.
“It depends on yourself from when you let the old man in.” Clint Eastwood
There’s one alternative.
This was a labor of love, seller must have known he wasn’t going to get his money out of it. I’ve done the same thing, so I know how that happens.
It’s the American way, make a profit! Even if you have to cheat someone to do it.
People like you, Todd, and this gentleman and myself love these cars. Yeah, we’re gonna lose money restoring and selling these cars but it’s for the love of the car. And it’s really a great feeling knowing I preserved something for future generations to use and enjoy.
In the early 2000s I bought a 1970 Buick Riviera for $600. I put over $4000 into it and then had to sell it. I sold it for $600.
But I know that car is drivable, useful and pretty much only needed paint to finish it.
That car is out there somewhere preserving history and making someone happy.
My soapbox is done. Thanks for reading.
My Uncle Wayne had a 1956 model that he lovingly cared for. And I mean he babied it as long as he had it. To me these are now works of art; no computer designed silver, black, or white only.
What you say about modern cars is quite accurate. When you pull into a parking lot you’ll be reminded of the old Rolling Stones song.
I see a line of cars and they’re all painted black…
Or gray and I hate gray.
This is one beautiful car with the what seems to be the right asking price instead of that rusting hulk of a Chevy that costs way more.
I would take ANY 1950’s Buick against ANY Tri Five Chev, in a heartbeat. Tri Fives are like backsides, everybody has one, whereas how many Buicks do you see at cars and coffee events? When I took my ’51 Super to Cars in the Park events there was always somebody asking me about it, especially the left and right side bonnet opening and then the straight eight engine, but the Chevs just parked there all day with their owners sitting watching the crowds pass by.
I think for us ‘carnuts’, money is not the issue, enjoyment ‘is’. I’m proud of the many restored (by my dime)’ cars still cruising in our area that would have been scrapped, if not for myself.
Paul, you are a true car guy and your grandchildren are ;will be) lucky kids.
$14K seems more than fair; nice ride.
Fresh Paint? In Los Angeles County that would be around 12-15k… Must be cheaper in other states.
EVERYTHING is cheaper in other states. I live in Central California, so I know .
By any chance were you related to Jimmy Potts … he passed a couple years ago but lived in Fairfield and Magalia …
A great Buick for a great price!
Very nice car. I wish I had room for it. Not that far away from me either!
I remember as a kid my Father bought a 52 or 53 Buick Roadmaster Rivera blue with white roof and side cove’s. What a Beautiful Boat that was! I still drive Buick Regals (I’m on #5) as our daily driver. ( I wish Buick still offered them). We Cruise in our C5 Corvette ( also our 5th one. 3 C3’s, 1 C4, and current C5.) I am a bit Long in the tooth, but they will need to pry the C5 keys from my cold dead hands!!!!!
Do you remember if his Buick Roadmaster had the Straight eight or the nail head V8 engine? The V8 began in 1953.
I was only 7 or 8 years old , so my memories are limited! I remember it had a long hood that I think went up from the sides. I also remember the hydro operated power windows, mainly because a couple lines burst under the floor carpet and made a real mess. He was not a happy person that day. I learned some new words that day. I have one photo of it somewhere while Great-gramma and us admired the boat!
I’m about to turn 78, I see more and more people using walkers at the car shows. My mom had a white 54 roadmaster with a dark blue top and red leather interior. The wire wheels are a nice touch.
The wire wheels were stock on the Skylark series.
Broderick Crawford on Highway Patrol drove a 55 Buick 2 door.
The color was actually ‘Titian’ Red (like the Spanish artist) and was thought of as the first candy color in the mid-50s when applied over a silver or gold base coat. My dad had a body shop back then, and we did several hot rods and semi-customs with that color (add a little blue and you got ‘Burple’, a violet variant). Nice cars ‘n coffee cruiser car for the money – this was a rare model, even ‘way back when – lots of Olds and stovebolts, very few Buicks or tin indians…
Dave, Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) was actually Italian. Born in Venice, he lived his entire life there. You’re certainly correct, though, about the color.
This is a beautiful car—the last of the good looking Buicks. They went downhill fast, hitting bottom in ‘58.
A great car at a great price. Yes, presumably has the Dynaflow transmission, so is not hot off the line, but, who is going to drag race this anyway. It can do 75 all day on the Interstates, especially with radial tires – remember the blowouts with bias tires? And uses gas as well, but, how much are you going to drive it anyway?
If it was in Cali I’d buy it today!! LOVE IT!!
The car isn’t in Cali. Perhaps you meant that you are? If you’re not in Cali either then jump on it! Seems like a lot of car for the money.
I love this car! My dad was a Buick man for years. He started with a ’40 conv. .We had a ’53 special, green and white, then a ’55 same colors as this ’54. Then a ’56, a ’57 hardtop I loved, then my next love, a ’61 yellow conv. with white inter and top, I use to use this when I was dating my wife. Then for some reason he switched to Caddys and I was married.