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 like the style too, especially the absence of the B pillar. How on earth do those back doors stay hung & aligned though?
I’ve never understood the concept of adding market value because of a “the one-family backstory”. We see this all the time as a premium attribute.
First, the one family may have ignored the vehicle for decades, leaving all manner of unresolved maintenance issues. A good detailing job before the sale can hide all kinds of other problems. That may not be the case here, but whatever.
Second, by definition, any “one owner” premium disappears at the sale. At that point, it becomes a multi-owner car.
Does the next owner then say “Well, it used to be a one-owner car!”. Like every other car on earth.
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
Cars like this will always be worth more than a perfect restored car. Survivors are getting rarer. This one has the preservation factor and provenance. Like the Queen Anne High Boy on Antiques Roadshow. Restoration wipes out 90% of the value. This would be a good long term investment even at this price.
I wouldn’t sell. You will be kicking your self for many years.
A lot of us are still suffering from sellers remorse, dozen’t matter if was sixty-five years ago.
I had a ride in a new 57 Buick.
It was black lowered and had lake pipes or side pipes that were open.
The Gally boys from San Andreas, California came by to show off the new ride. I was impressed. Someday I’ll have clone, but with Glass pack mufflers not open pipes
But thinking back it must of had the had the Y manual bypass.
Because it wasn’t loud when they showed up. Long time ago and maybe longer.
The three-piece rear window that generated criticism back in the day originally had a purpose. The outer panes were supposed to retract. The idea was abandoned due to cost and engineering reasons, but the three-piece glass remained.
On those rare occasions that I see a three piece rear window, it catches the eye like nothing else marque from this era. Unique.
My family owned a 1957 Buick Special, all black that we drove through the SW desert from Merced, CA to Austin, TX in mid-June, 1959. Being without A/C and a black car… it was a horrendously HOT trip.
I always read that the three-piece rear wjndow was just a styling trick to emulate the rear window retainer straps as seen on the NASCAR racecars of the era. They still look kind of cool.today.
Love the fact that this Buick has the proper sized WSW tires… they look exactly like the originals on our 1957 Buick!
This is a beautiful car and an impressive survivor, but I think the asking price is way north of optimistic. Then again, something is worth what someone is willing to pay. A foot exists for every shoe.
And here I thought it was an a×× for every seat.
Don claims that the Buick has always been stored in a heated garage and it shows. the seller, Don, is stingy with the car’s history, details, and specs. But, then again, Don has the few provided photographs . Sounds like to me Don the “seller” is a flipper and not part of the family. In my eyes this is not a one family owned car. Not taking anything away from the car as it it a really well preserved car
Actually yes, reading the cl ad does make Don sound like a flipper. No vested interest in the history, very short on the sales pitch and very few pics. Would explain the way over-the-top asking price too.
Loving the 3 piece rear window.
A superbly hidden extra pair of doors
Before we could drive, a pal’s dad had a black ‘57 Roadmaster convertible. He’d haul us around in it. The back seat was so large , four could sit abreast.
Oops…price just dropped to $59,950. Grab it while you can!
very stunning indeed if it’s as original as the seller says. i think the price is a bit on the aggressive side. the market for these stylish Buicks is on the small side.
Beautiful car but one of the few eras when GM design was way behind the competition. I watch the old Highway Patrol tv show just to watch the old cars in everyday use and am amazed at how old the GM designs look compared to the forward look Chryslers or even the Fords and Mercurys of that era.
So much better looking than the ’58 that followed. Black and white is striking especially with the red accent in the side spear.
Absolutely gorgeous. Be still, my heart!
What a beautiful cruiser!
My Dad had a white and pink (Salmon?) 57 Buick convertible. Was a beast! Took me a long time to wash that whale. This one looks very nice in Orca.
Very nice car HORRIBLE price
I agree, @Doone. Had to scroll back to the top & search for those back-door cut lines!
Gramp had a ‘57 Buick.
Fast-forward & look at the new generic transportation appliances that GM is slapping a Buick emblem on, and I want to cry.
To: KC
Cry even more as Buick is building many of their models in China (Shanghai) and Sourh Korea!
Yes, hard to tell new buicks from a Kia. Recently felt a bit off balance looking a what I thought was a modern Asian suv and then noticed the 3 shields of a buick.
GM lost its heritage, tradition and soul when it buckled to the government buyout under a previous administration (ahem).
Dealerships closed; Olds & Pontiac axed.
Now, Cadillacs are just overstuffed & over-decorated Chevys, Camaros are amorphous, bloated blobs, Corvettes look like failed origami lessons, pickups require stepladders, and Buicks are designed for the Asian market.
This is one nice looking Buick and the’57s are my favorite of that decade. I don’t know if he will get what he’s asking for but it would make a nice addition to someone’s collection.