What a difference only three years make! Last week I covered this 1957 Buick Century and today it’s a 1954 Buick Super “Riviera”. This Super, like the ’57 Century, is in magnificent condition, and the Willow Green finish just screams 1954. But the stylistic differences are what’s so obvious to my eyes. The ’57 looks like it’s ready for a night flight from L.A. to Vegas while the ’54 has just announced the arrival of my grandfather. They’re both rolling ’50s automotive art, courtesy of Buick, but seem to have been penned with different missions in mind. Located in San Jose, California, this super Super is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $36,000. There is a make-an-offer option too. Thanks are due to Erik for surfacing this excellent specimen.
As in ’57, Buick rolled with four models in ’54, the four-portholed Roadmaster in the top bunk, followed by the Super, the Century, and finally, the Special bringing up the markers. There was a specialty Skylark model too but it was a limited-production convertible that saw just a bit over 800 copies. As for Buick’s identity trait, all non-Roadmasters were reduced to three portholes per fender. Buick had a good year in ’54, managing to knock out 444K units, putting them in fourth place in the domestic production race. As for Super two-door hardtops, such as our subject car, they realized a robust sales volume of 73K units.
This Super is a complete redo and the list of new parts is extensive. It has a stock bearing about itself except that it appears to be lowered, has had its hood lettering removed, and is wearing 1956 Dodge Coronet wheel covers (a peculiar choice). I can’t find any detractions with the exterior – it’s truly a gorgeous car. Note, that this Super is denoted as a “Riviera” model as it is a hardtop body style, sans B-pillar.
Now in its second year, this Super is sporting a 182 HP, 322 CI “nailhead” V8 engine, connected in turn, to a Dynaflow automatic transmission – which the seller believes has been rebuilt. Not much is said regarding the engine though it sure shows well – complete and original. The mileage recording is 59K miles but there’s no claim to that being an authentic reading. Some of the mechanical items that have been replaced or refurbished include a new radiator, new gas tank, new gas tank cap, new exhaust pipes, new brake shoes, new brake lines, new brake cylinders, a rebuilt radiator, new water pump, new water hoses, a new battery, new alternator regulator, and new alternator belts.
The goodness continues indoors where everything there is claimed to be new too. The upholstery appears to be a correct patterned woven and vinyl arrangement which dovetails perfectly with the Willow Green exterior though the painted steel surfaces are finished in a darker, forest green hue. The instrument panel is not as elaborate as some premium cars from this era possess, but it’s still ’50s GM art. The seller mentions that all of the gauges are operable with the exception of the temperature indicator.
So, visual differences do abound between this Super and last week’s Century but there are two notable similarities. One is the obvious spectacular condition, and the other is who’s going to be the likely buyer. As previously stated, there’s probably a diminished market for a fifties hardtop of this stature but someone, somewhere will see the true wonder of this rarely encountered Super Riviera and say, “Yes, I really would rather have a Buick” right?
You guys keep coming up with green cars that I really like. This is a beauty with just enough modifications to compliment it’s original good looks.
I have to wonder, what was Buick thinking with that front bumper/grille combination? Nicely restored, GLWTA!! :-)
I was born in ‘54. These were plentiful in parking lots when I was a toddler.
These scared the hell out of me because at less than three feet tall I felt like the damned things were looking to eat me.
And they look sad too.
I’m four years older than you, Dr. Ron. As a child, I recall the Buicks of this era as being toothy but benign beasts. The Oldsmobiles, however, were a different story. I thought the grilles of the ’46-’54 models depicted sadness because they sloped downward at each end like mouths of unhappy people.
What’s with the drivers door? Ajar, or not aligned?
It’s not closed completely, nothing wrong with it.
While it’s a given with Groucho and his DeSotos, equal mention must be given to Milton Berle, who did as good a job selling Buicks, as Groucho did with DeSoto. As mentioned, these celebrities had almost more clout than the president, funny, warm, personable characters, from heart-warming movies, that yes, you would buy a car from. I read, P/S was offered, but not for this buyer, who just didn’t trust it, dag nabit, not those goofy ” power” brakes, either, so not the fanciest Buick, but the thing about a Buick then, it appealed to everyone with a couple bucks to spend more than a mere Chevy. It said, you were smart enough to listen to trusted celebrities. Whatever happened to that? Nice car, despite it’s frowny face appearance.
Actually Uncle Milty did a much better job. Buick and Chrysler are the last mid price/premium cars standing in what in 1954 was a field of eight.
That front end always reminds me of a blood hound. Why the long face? lol
Beautiful car. Generator looks slightly out of alignment with the fan pulley but this is not a high revving motor so no worries. The BUICK letters have been removed from the front of the hood and it is obviously lowered. Still, a beautiful car.
I absolutely love this car, I think it would be the neatest car to drive and enjoy. I would change the upper radiator hose. I hate those one size fits all. The hub caps are an interesting choice, might change them. Since, I live in AZ. I would bite the bullet and add A/C. Then its zip code is my garage. How cool would that be. I drive a 53 Ford P/U ,this moves me up a year and into a Buick. Life is good!
I always liked this model, but the drawback were those tail lights… Buick was always a nice car, and I liked the looks of most of them.
The taillights are you kidding me they go with the design of the car. Get over it.
The stance is just right on this sweetheart. The wheel covers aren’t too badly out of place — perhaps the owner was tired of Lancer and Cadoo sombreros and these are stylistically in a similar vein.
I didn’t see where he mentioned “Rust”, wonder what those bumps & bulges in the rockers & fenders are?
Gee, I don’t know, funny how no one else has mentioned that. I think you’re just being silly
Nice change from the typical muscle car, which grows tiresome. Not everyone cares about 350 horsepower in a small car.