Anyway you cut it, a 1967 Buick Riviera makes a visual statement, coming, going, or just sittin’ still and looking purdy! I have bemoaned Chrysler’s current sad state of affairs, but frankly, I don’t think Buick is much better off today – and certainly not compared to how it once was. Piglets on stilts is pretty much all that’s left of GM’s near-luxury division. But let’s not dwell on that and instead, consider this fine-looking maged-wheel beauty. Olympia, Washington, is its home port, and it’s available here on craigslist for $18,500. Curvette wins the Kewpie doll for this tip!
Looking regal in its Riviera Gold Mist finish, a finish said to be original, this Riv is a standard model as opposed to the more performance-oriented GS version. One body style existed, a two-door hardtop, and it was responsible for a total production volume of 42K copies in ’67. Back to that gold finish, it still presents pretty well, as does the black vinyl top. The seller tells us that this Buick has been in storage for twenty years and has accumulated 140K miles. Rust doesn’t look like it’s an issue, and the only body detraction noted is a small crease in the passenger side quarter panel. Now, those wheels. Yes, I like them, but not necessarily on a car like a second-gen Riviera – they’re more hot rod material than an upscale cruising coupe.
Get-up-and-go is provided by a 360 gross HP, 430 CI V8 which delivers 475 lb. feet of stump pulling torque through a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states that the rebuilt powerplant allows this Riv to “roll down the road in exceptional comfort, without even breathing hard, due to its highway gearing.”
The interior is a redo, and while it’s clean and bright, the pattern also matches that of the original. I went with the assumption that all vinyl or leather would have been the order of the day, but according to Buick marketing material, what you see here is correct. All in all, I think it looks sharp. One interesting note: this Riviera is not A/C equipped.
While famed GM designer Bill Mitchell is responsible for the first incarnation of the Riviera, this second-gen (’66-’70) is the handiwork of designer Dave Holls, and I’d suggest that he out-mitchelled Mitchell with this light, breezy, fleet-of-foot design that was incorporated into so many of Mitchell’s sixties designs. Other than the skirted ’70 edition, these are my favorite Rivieras. As for those overt wheels, if they’re not to your liking, the seller has the originals. Let’s talk price, at $18,500, what’s your thought, priced right or not quite?
I always thought that the high line Riviera came standard w a/c Jim. Who knew. A favorite model of every car junkie, the Riv is fantastic. Just my .02 but stock factory wheel options are pretty much a must on these beauties.
Stan. Buick Factory mags would look rught at home here. Those rims are right up there with the Pontiac 8 lugs. I think that I have the window sticker from our ’70 Olds Ninety Eight. The Air Conditioner was optional. Go figure. Oldsmobiles top of the line luxury model. We had crank windows and no passenger side mirror. BUT…. It had a remote trunk release in the glove box which my Mom loved. Bit back to this beautiful Riv. I guess some climates people just didn’t see the need for air conditioning.
Jim, you could not have said it any better. A Riv just makes a statement. These are handome cars GM designed in the 60’s. I enjoyed your write up. And the car.
Thank you!
JO
You’re very welcome Jim. I know theres a lot of folks on here who enjoy your write ups. And I’m one of them.
My ’70 98 4-door hardtop had crank windows, power seat, trunk release, and auto climate control. Had the a/c fixed and it read 32 degrees out of the dash vent!
AC would have been optional on this Riviera. Believe it or not the first U.S. car to come with standard air conditioning was the 1968 AMC Ambassador. At the time AC was optional even on Cadillacs and Lincolns.
Hagerty says 20K for a #3 “good” example, so at 18,000 this car is in the range it would seem.
Good looking car. Personally I like the wheels. This is a ’67 luxury car not a ’25 one and the wheels give it an updated look to match today’s environment. Either way I think it will fit right in.
I had a similar car but with brown leather seats. One of my all time favorite cars.
Jim: to comment on your thoughts about the state of Chrysler and Buick:
I would take a step further and feel the entire auto industry 2025 has jumped the shark. I can safely say that for the rest of my driving life (25 Years if I’m lucky) I will never own anything newer than 2010.
Honestly, I could care less what happens to any of the once coveted brands. They all died a long time ago. Sea of same now, a leased Four wheel blob of planned surveillance and obsolescence – No thanks……..
1967 Riviera – Yes!
Because I sat on my hands too long the ‘65s raced past me in affordability. Now I look at 66-67s With the eye always Should have – these Rivs Are absolutely beautiful, Dare I say every bit as good as 63-65. This gold specimen is right up my alley: It’s no-show car, but it Presents as a well preserved, original with a lifetime of someone that really cared about it. If the in person inspection proves as good the take in the ad I would Pay the money and take this one home.
No A/C. On to the next one.
Sadly, Rivieras fall into two catagories…and I have owned several (mostly ’69’s with a ’68 and ’71 thrown in for good measure). Those two catagories are very distinct in the Riviera world. There are the well-optioned, straight, clean cars, in the right color combos, that are very well-preserved and correct that will bring the money…and, then, there are the rest of them which, sadly, is the category that this car falls into.
At a glance, it appears to be priced fairly but, upon further investigation, not so much. I doubt it will sell quickly with unoriginal upholstery, low on options, no A/C, and the base interior. You can buy a MINT, more desirably optioned Riv for about $10K more…less than the cost of a respray (which this car will need, for starters).
For me, NO AC NO THANKS.I cannot imagine a Riv with no air conditioning. I had a 69 GS Riv that was a beautiful car.
A friend had a 67 with a Stage 1 motor, not stock, that was awesome. 67, 68 and 69 were the best of the Rivs.
I have a 64 Riv, also no AC. Back then AC was a very expensive option on what was already a very expensive car.
Great write up Jim. Rivieras have always been eye catchers, even through the end of the line but some more than others like this generation. I agree it needs the stock wheels put back on. As for the lack of A/C I find more than a few expensive in their day cars here in the Pacific Northwest that don’t have it. Decent price for this stylish machine.
Like the car. Love the wheels! These days, adding AC isn’t too daunting.
Adding vintage air shouldn’t break the bank. If someone really wanted this car then they will pony up a few grand more for the comfort of a/c. Living and driving in Houston traffic.. my El Camino has perfect a/c but the only time I ever use it is if I’m stuck dead on I-10 east and it’s 100 degrees. I like the breeze flowing over my cranium where there used to be hair!
I don’t object to the wheel style, it’s the wheel diameter with rubber band tires that I don’t like – this era car should have 15″ wheels and fat tires IMO.
I’m bettin’ there were a lot of 1965 Riviera buyers who wished they had waited a year.
Well, I don’t know about that. It seems the ’65 Riviera is the one everyone wants. Except me, I prefer the 63 because it’s the original.
Frankly, I never met a Riviera I didn’t like! Good luck to seller.
I asked Microsoft Bing “Are all Buicks made in China”, and I’d swear the two top responses were penned by the CCP, and I know as little about my question as I did before I asked. I have no idea how Buick flourishes while the likes of Steve Saleen got the royal fux over from the reds.
Oooh Scotty, your post is interesting, but I don’t understand it. Can you elaborate? Thanks.