Whenever I hear about a Riviera, more often than not, my mind immediately thinks of those cool personal luxury cars that Buick produced beginning in 1963. However, although it wasn’t a stand-alone model, a previous offering bearing the same name was introduced in 1955, known as the Special Riviera. The car’s claim to fame was that it was one of the first pillarless 4-door hardtops ever produced, and that design that carried over to the following year, such as this 1956 Buick Special Riviera here on Facebook Marketplace in Fairfield Township, Ohio. This one’s been sitting for decades, but I really dig the body lines, and for $2,800 this could make an affordable and interesting project. Our thanks go out to reader Ted for the tip!
A 2-door Special would be more desirable in the marketplace, but the sedan proportions are sort of fun here too, especially without the pillar design. As usual, Buick’s trademark VentiPorts were incorporated into the front fenders, three of them on each side for ’56. The seller says this one was last on the road in 1981, and while it appears there is some rust in the lower body extremities, the overall exterior condition seems fairly decent. The car also looks mostly complete on the outside, so hopefully, the corrosion amount is little, as the seller states.
The earlier Buick 8-cylinder engines were of the straight variety, but in 1953, this was changed to a V8 design. Originally called the Fireball, the brand’s new 322 cubic-inch powerplant became more known as the Nailhead, as the valves were small and vertical, resembling nails. Performance was spirited as well, with the 1956 Buick Special factory rated at a respectable 220 HP. The motor under the hood here is stated to be the original factory component, and while it is still stated to turn over, it’ll probably need a thorough going through after being inoperative for 44 years. The same will likely be true for the automatic transmission.
Although the interior isn’t perfect, the storage conditions since 1981 must have been somewhat favorable, as things inside look considerably better than I would have expected. There are a few rips in the front seat, but the dash and instruments seem to be in well-preserved condition for their age, and the wear-and-tear factor appears to be in line with a 52k mile car. The seller also mentions that the floors and trunk pan are solid, so while this one needs some work and possibly a restoration, the bones here might be good to work with. Is this 1956 Special Riviera a Buick you’d consider taking on as a project?
I got one of these in a rather unusual
way in the early ’70s. A fellow I knew
had the car and got pissed off when it
left him stranded one day. He was dumb enough to sign the title over to
Whoever claimed the car first as he was literally giving it away for free.
Well, my future BIL and I went to Reliable Auto Parts, bought an NOS
tune up kit for the car, and went to claim my prize. For what it was, the car was in really good shape for a nearly 20 year old car. The interior was in great shape while the rest of it
was solid and almost rust free. Now I know what you’re thinking, why didn’t
he keep it? Well, I really had no time
to work on it as I was on the road 39
to 50 weeks playing music. Sure, I could’ve kept it but why. It probably wouldn’t have ever been finished and
would’ve just sat there and rotted away. Mine was Bedford blue with a
white top and lower door and fender sections. One thing I know, the guy that bought it from got a great deal.
The softest suspension of anything Detroit produced. Like driving on a cloud, or, more realistically, a mattress. Dyna-slush transmission, same effect as today’s CVT’s, engine roars, car catches up. Room for 6, 8 or 9 in a pinch, 4 teens in the front seat, 5 in the back. No seat belts, let alone air bags. Those were the days. Friend’s mother had one, we
Awesome looking car! 1956 has always been my favourite year for Buick, until the 1960 year. Assuming everything on this car is accounted for, the car could be an easy and affordable resto project. If I bought a car like this, I’d keep original what’s possible, while also upgrading what needs to be upgraded.
For that price, I’d take the power train for my Tri 5 truck and part it out.
I see Factory air but the under hood components are MIA.
Too bad,
my first car was a 56 buick special very much like this one only mine was two tone green.same motor and when I bought it it had over 100 k miles on it.to this day I swear that motor was he best I ever owned.had it frozen solid and when thawed out started right away.it would be in my garage if it was closer to me .loved that car.