Looking like it popped off the pages of a 1950s Raymond Chandler detective novel, this Buick is right at home in sunny Southern California. All that sun has baked the some of the paint, which is advertised as being original, but I’ll always take a little baked paint over rusty fasteners and gaping holes where my feet are supposed to sit. Buick was having a banner year in 1955, selling a whopping 738,894 cars, enough for third place in American sales, and the Super Riviera (Buick’s fancy name for their hardtops and most luxurious sedans) was a big reason for its success. Riding on the same platform as the more expensive Roadmaster and powered by the exact same engine, the Super was a mid-range model that people approved of in a big way—85,656 Super Rivieras found new homes. This one was found by one of our favorite Buick finders, T.J., who plucked it from here on eBay in Huntington Beach, California. Its asking price is $15,500 or best offer.
As was the case with pretty much any big General Motors car of the 1950s, the interior is luxurious, and is (of course) color coordinated with the exterior paint. The seller hasn’t posted the body tag, but contemporary color charts suggest that the Super is painted either Cadet Blue or Stafford blue, with a Dover White upper and lower body. The seller says that the interior is “in great shape,” and it has a “brand new surround sound” system, which is easy enough to do because Buick switched to a 12-volt electrical system in 1953 on its V8 models. You may notice that this one has an aftermarket underdash air conditioner; unfortunately, it doesn’t currently blow cold air. In one of the more interesting turns of phrase in the world of advertising, the seller says that it “needs to be topped off with fluid.”
Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the engine compartment, but all Century, Super, and Roadmaster models had the same 322-cubic-inch four-barrel V8, which produced 236 horsepower for 1955. Most of them were equipped as this one is, with Variable Pitch Dynaflow Drive. Every time I talk about Buicks with the Dynaflow transmission, I explain its operation. Unlike what you might read in sales writeups, the Dynaflow is not a two-speed transmission. It does have a “drive” range and a “low” range, but low is selected manually and is rarely used. When the selector is placed in drive, you will never feel the Dynaflow shift; all “gear” multiplication comes from the torque converter itself. Low range was only used for emergencies (and for leaving a little scratch at intersections if you’re inclined to act like a hooligan once in a while).
Power brakes were optional with Dynaflow, and this one appears to have that option.
With a rebuilt carburetor and fuel pump, the Super sounds like it’s ready for the road, and the seller has taken it on several longer road trips with “no issues” (although it does need exhaust work). The big C-Body Super and Roadmasters of 1954-56 are some of the best-looking Buicks of the 1950s, and it’s appropriate that this one has a two-tone paint scheme, almost always a nice touch. Just think, you could be cruising around like the hero of a detective novel, all four windows down, exploring the wilds of Southern California. This Super is a real trip back in time.
I had a teacher in grammar school with what appears to be this exact car – looking at a paint chart, I believe hers was Cadet Blue and Dover White. I was always intrigued with the dash, it looked to me like it was inspired by an airplane instrument panel.
Of the `55-`56 generation Buicks, I’ve always loved the `55s–esp. the senior series like this one. Looks solid, hope it is. I would do a quality repaint in the original colors and have a wonderful driver for sunny weekends & car shows. Interior looks excellent and the dash pad is solid with no cracks that I can see.
GWTA!
Dad had a 4 door Roadmaster that I remember being the one who had to clean the massive grill and the white wall tires on car wash days. Too short to do anything else. Nice cars.
Aaron, You really got me stirred up this morning with one of my favorite authors Raymond Chandler.
Unlike Kinsey Milhone, who’s 1969 Boss 429 Mustang is prominent in her stories (which she said it was tough to not get spotted doing a tail and eventually sold it for $9000.00, Yikes)
I don’t recall Philip Marlowe ever driving a Buick. Mostly he drove a 1938 Plymouth coupe so I’m not sure why the reference to him here? Great stories though.
Perhaps you are thinking of Stephanie Plum who frequently drives a powder blue 1953 Buick Roadmaster (often referred to as “Big Blue”), inherited from her Uncle Sandor? I 100% can see her in this car, so much so that it needs to be connected to her if there is ever a movie series. Amazon should do one, it would be a hit, the same as the Bosch series.
We need more protagonist cars, keep them coming!!!
What a car though! It needs a slight refresh and a California black plate. Entry price is nothing for all the joy you will get owning this rolling time machine. I love it and if I had the space I’d own it. I just might anyways if the wife will relent a but.
The Raymond Chandler thing was more a vibe than any specific book, Jay. He’s probably my favorite 20th century detective author, that’s all, although Dashiell Hammett is pretty good, too.
Interestingly, I call my ’53 Special Riviera “Big Blue,” for obvious reasons. :)
Phillip Marlowe drove a Buick in one of Chandler’s last novels, maybe the “Long Goodbye” or possibly “Playback.” I’ve read them all but don’t have them nearby to verify.
Nice car — but I much prefer the 1954 Buick.
My dad a big black 55 Buick Roadmaster. Thing I most remember about it was that it vapor locked a lot.
man, what a cool looking Buick. only thing missing is the black plates. put some vise grip juice on and cruise it. great patina. shame it’s on the left coast. you just don’t see this like this anymore.
Dad dropped me and mom off at the hospital, in his ’55 Super Riviera. And picked us up 3 days later in his new, to him, ’56 Mercury Montclair. Car guys do that…
Maybe there’s one in a John D. MacDonald novel. Would seem about right….
The best series detective novels ever written.
The first car I saved for and bought was a 1955 Buick Super but a 4 door sedan. Where this one is blue mine was red. That was 1964 and I was working for $1.00 an hour 50 hours a week on a fryer chicken farm. I loved that the starter was under the gas pedal so it set the choke every time you started it. I also like that the heater core was under the front passenger seat so it heated the rear of the car as well as the front. This would look nice next to my 64 Riviera.
God Bless America
Now, compare this fine ride with that pile of scrap metal chevel for 9.5. Need I say more. This is a great ride and for the price, it’s a steal, I’ve got a love for the rivis, especially the GS 66,67, my brother had a 66, I had an 84, 85, but I like the boatail, those were nice rides, but this ride is super nice, me personally if I had the cash, I’d buy it like quick, mechanically if it’s sound, I’d be driving this ride, BUT, NO TINT ON OLD SCHOOL CLASSICS, I’d be the guy in the OG riviera here in Elpaso Texas, depending on what I could afford mechanically, I’d do upgrades on the brakes and paint job, this is a cool ride, too bad I’m too old and don’t have the cash, whomever gets it, take care of it and enjoy this cool guy
My Unc’s favorite. Even though a diehard olds-guy. He had a love-affair with big boys/girls from that period, but the Buick/Olds in particular. I loved my 61 duece-and-a-quarter like a favorite cousin. The 455 helped. This would be a lovely addition to my fleet as I don’t have the “50’s” represented yet, but my history didn’t start until the 70’s so I need to pace myself! Nice ride with a very mafia-like 5-body trunk.😎
Among the most beautiful instrument panels ever created
Gorgeous! Maintain the finish as-is, make sure it’s mechanically sound & have fun!
Not to brag, but detective novels are mentioned. I had the painful honor of being instructed in statistics by a professor who a was personal friend of Mickey Spillane.
A friend in class knew the name so the professor had the author autograph a paperback for my friend and me.
Both books had a scantily clad female on the cover that the author covered in a blue ballpoint pen with a hand drawn dress.
I think he had a sense of humor.