It’s anybody’s guess what the percentage of 69-year-old vehicles have remained in the same family since brand new. I’m sure it’s in the low single-digits. Well, here’s one of those rare vehicles that’s been in the same family since it was bought new and is a true survivor. Except for an upgrade to electric wipers, everything else is like it was when this ’57 Buick Century Riviera 4-Door Hardtop left the factory. This black-and-white beauty is located in Tualatin, Oregon and is for sale here on craigslist for $64,500. Yet another great find from super-spotter, Curvette!
As is common with a lot of listings, the seller, Don, is stingy with the car’s history, details, and specs. But, then again, Don has the few provided photographs to do the talking for him. Buicks for ’57 had all-new styling and were longer, wider, and about five inches lower than the ’56 model. They still looked bulbous compared to the sleek new Forward Look cars from the Chrysler Corporation. Don claims that the Buick has always been stored in a heated garage and it shows. The car is in remarkable “original survivor” condition. Although customers had a choice of 15 paint colors and an assortment of two-tone color combinations, there’s still something classy and formal looking about a full size, two-tone, black-and-white car from the mid-’50’s. The Carlsbad Black and Dover White paint on the Buick is shiny and very presentable and I’m not seeing any rust or bumps and bruises.
These big old Buicks certainly had “presence” with its massive grille, large, bulky bumpers (and bumper guards), dramatic dipping stainless and red side trim, and a slanted rear end fin treatment (which I always thought looked very handsome and more interesting than the front end styling). Certain Buick and Oldsmobile models had the distinctive split, three-piece rear window like you see here. It was a nice compliment to the openness of the pillarless hardtop styling that was available as a 2-door or 4-door.
Buick’s for ’57 were all new inside as well. Although there’s only one photo provided, this car’s interior appears to be well preserved with minimal wear visible on the seats. I’m guessing those seats may have been protected by plastic covers to be in that good of original condition. ’57 Buicks also sported a new instrument panel and it looks like the padded dash is also in good shape as well as the door panels.
Under that big, black hood is the original 364-cubic-inch “Nailhead” V8. With a four-barrel carb, it generated about 300 horsepower when new, and is probably paired with a Dynaflow automatic transmission. Don says there’s 112, 904 miles on the clock and that the Buick “runs and drives great.” Given it’s not a Caballero Wagon, Convertible, or 2-Door Hardtop, I don’t think Don will get his asking price. As J.R. Ewing once said, “Everything is negotiable. Every man has his price.”
Beautiful car, having 4 doors doesn’t matter a whit to me. I realize somebody may pay the asking price for this car because of the outstanding condition and the one-family backstory. One could debate the accuracy of price guides, but for what it’s worth, one of these Buicks in my guide shows a price of 28K for a #1 condition and 20K for a #2.
I’m right with what Todd said above. A 4 door hardtop is just as handome to me as a 2 door. The black and white is very classy. And the condition is amazing. I don’t know if they’ll get their price or not but this certainly is one of the nicest, cleanest ’57 Buicks out there. I wish there was more to the Craigslist ad and more photos. Curvette found a gorgeous Buick. I enjoyed your write up Ron too, thank you