So, is this really a Buick Riviera? I mean, when you think of a Riviera, thoughts often drift to the fabulous Bill Mitchell-penned first gen (’63-’65) or even the third gen (’71-’73) with its iconic boattail rearend. This 1984 example? Well, that’s what the badging claims, but does it live up to that legendary name? I dunno, let’s take a deep dive on this admittedly clean Riv that T.J. has found for us. It’s located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is available here on craigslist for $19,900.
Sales-wise, these ’84 Rivieras sold well with GM’s Linden, New Jersey assembly plant delivering 56K copies. This one claims 37K miles of usage with the odometer portion of that silly 85 MPH maximum federal speedometer serving as the only documentation. Yup, this baby looks good, the finish is deep, and it has all the ’80s GM luxury nods going on with its wire wheel covers, undersized white wall tires, a landau top, and a stand-up hood ornament. What? No opera windows, you ask? Nope, their time had apparently come and gone by this point in time. I suppose this is supposed to be a downsized Riv, a trend that was all the rage in the eighties, but it still has some mass to it, considering its 206.6″ length, stretched over a 114″ wheelbase and tipping the scales at 3,858 lbs. As a comparison, the original Riviera was 208″ over a 117″ wheelbase with a 4,170 lb. curb weight. Downsized for ’84? Well, maybe sorta, but not by much. It’s the styling difference that is so glaring. Yeah, it’s subjective but…
GM was into divisional power sharing by ’84, and this Buick is powered by an Oldsmobile 140 net HP, 5.0-liter (307 CI) V8 engine. The interesting design feature is that the Olds engine is mounted longitudinally, even though it’s connected to a four-speed automatic transaxle that drives the front wheels. No word regarding running and driving characteristics is offered.
The interior has that whole trip to the lumberyard thing going on with a huge expanse of fake wood veneer. The instrument panel is totally unimpressive for a car of this stature, but the environment is in excellent condition. The oyster-hued leather upholstery reflects a car that has only experienced 37K miles of use. And the seller’s claim of “garaged always” rings true; there’s no noticeable weather-related cracking or fading.
Back to my opening question, “So, is this really a Buick Riviera?” Sure, it is, it’s a Riviera for the era, and 1984 was a very much different time than ’63/’64, just as ’25 is another universe away from ’84. As someone who was very near and dear to me always said, “Time marches on.” I guess that leaves one remaining question: is this the Buick that you would really rather have?”
Rare configuration the longitudinal motor and Fwd.
I had a 1982 it was an absolute snowmobile
I prefer the next gen e bodes, those were handsome and powered by the legendary 3800!
Beautiful car. Always liked the ‘79-85 Riv, Toronado, and Eldorado. Even better if you can find a convertible. As the population ages, we’re seeing more and more of these ‘70’s and ‘80’s cream puffs coming to market as their owners are forced to hand over the keys or have passed. Would love to own one.
I have ‘83 olds Toro convertible. Great shape and fun car to drive and enter shoes.
What a beautiful example that will ride like a dream! Noticed going through the craigslist photos that the tires have a 75 aspect ratio.
Today I was at a light and the Mercedes next to me had a 30 aspect ratio. The MB looked cool, but likely rides like a buckboard compared to the Riv. I’d rather have the Riviera.
Unfortunately I notice stuff like that.
The Rivs were awesome driving and riding machines. I’d like to have one for grocery shopping as well as trips.
Actually, they didn’t have a transaxle, which has an internal differential. They had an actual transmission driving through a separate differential. A minor but important difference.
Parents had an 84 Eldorado, Girlfriend had an 83 Riviera, both were great cruising cars at the time!
You mention “no opera lamps” but I believe the oval Riviera emblems in the rear sail panels light up which is close enough for me.
I said no “Opera Windows“, not opera lamps – which is not close enough for me. (And they were called coach lamps, not opera lamps.)
JO
Yes, every bit a Riviera. When redesigned in ’79 it earned Motor Trend’s Car of the Year honors. The T-type was a big deal but these were one GM’s better downsizing efforts. An owner will be rewarded with a great car.
While the author seems somewhat unimpressed, this generation of Riviera was an outstanding vehicle. Only the malaise-era powerplant choices (Buick 252 4 bbl. V6, Olds 307 4 bbl. V8, or Olds 350 diesel) has prevented them from being held in the high regard which they deserve.
The powertrain was a downsized version of the system that drove the 1966-78 Toronado and 1967-78 Eldorado. The THM325 transmission was essentially a Turbo 350, but with a chain that redirected the power output to the front of the transmission, which then drove a conventional differential between the front axles. Only the 1986-up E-bodies had transaxles.
I remember these cars well. I was out of the service a few years and my mother was looking at these. She did buy a 79 and it was a very nice riding and driving car. I am pretty sure she had the rocket 350 although I tried to get her to buy the T type, but it didn’t happen. This is a nice example but the emission laws were catching up and the technology wasn’t there yet.
Beautiful car but I would prefer black or burgundy interior.
I had an 85 and of all my cars over the years this rate right at the top of my favorites. This car went thru snow like it was 4-wheel drive. For 1986 they did a major downsize to the point you wouldn’t know it was the same car.
Back in the late 1980s my mechanic buddy had a 1982 Toro with the diesel. Unfortunately, if you floored it, it rolled smoke, a very undesirable trait IMHO. It was mostly flawless and comfortable except for that one time with a carload of friends and 30 miles from home after dark the headlights suddenly went out. He checked every possible problem area with no luck. Hmm, what to do now? I became the unlucky driver to navigate the somewhat familiar gravel roads with only the flashers lighting the way. Stuffed a coat in to block the dash lights from blinding me and at 30 MPH made to my rural home safely. From there, we all piled into the front and back of one of my pickups and drove them back to town to their vehicles. Ruined the evening’s festivities but certainly a memorable occasion in the dead of winter of NW Iowa.