In 1976, I remember all the hype around the news of the last convertibles being built in Detroit (and how some car collectors took the supposedly end-of-an-era bait). Six years later, there was a “Just Kidding” heard from Detroit as convertibles once again became available. Lee Iacocca and “The New Chrysler” made lots of noise when they introduced the K-car based Chrysler LeBaron for the model year 1982. GM’s drop-top E Platform Rivieras, Eldorados, and Toronado were delayed a bit and didn’t roll out until July of 1982. It was the Riviera’s first-ever convertible, but the cost of converting a Riviera coupe to a convertible at American Sunroof Corporation in Lansing, Michigan made them very pricey ($23,944 and 56% higher than the Riviera coupe), leading to low quantities being produced. Here’s a pristine 1983 example, 1 of only 1,750 convertibles of the overall 50,234 Rivieras produced that year. It is located in the Hudson Valley/Northern Fairfield County of Connecticut here on craigslist for $25,000. Another shout out to our pal, Pat L., for sending this rare ragtop our way. It’s only the second ’83 Buick Riviera convertible ever featured here on Barn Finds.
The seller provides some above-average photos of this Firemist Red beauty (but doesn’t show it with the white convertible top-up), so we’ll forgive him/her for using all caps and shouting the Riviera’s basic information. About all we know is that this ’83 Riviera drop-top was purchased new in Connecticut (where it currently resides), has only 30,110 original miles, was always covered in a heated garage, has never been driven in the rain, and is original except for the tires, battery, air filter, brake booster, and plastic bumper extensions which were replaced with fiberglass extensions. Based on its overall condition from the photos, this Riviera has been obviously pampered. I can’t spot any major flaws inside or out. Riviera convertibles were only available in two exterior colors: Firemist Red and White, and this Riviera’s red paint, which looks more like cranberry or burgundy, presents very well to be 39 years old.
What a clean, well-preserved interior. I found a 1982 ad for the introduction of the new Buick Riviera convertible that describes its genuine leather Claret dark red interior as “sumptuous.” That seems like the right adjective for this like-new cabin. The seller doesn’t list any particular creature comforts, but Buick boasted that its Riviera came equipped with “power controls for virtually every comfort and convenience”, and this is a great example of 80s GM luxury at its finest. Even the trunk has “Deluxe Trunk Trim” and looks showroom new.
The seller gives mixed signals about the Riviera’s power plant. It’s first listed as having a V8, then listed as “powered by a 307 V8 or 4.1L V6 engine.” I originally guessed the 307 V8, but several more observant members and readers identified is as the 4.1 L V6 that generated 125 hp when new. And, of course, this luxurymobile has a smooth, 4-speed automatic transmission, In conclusion, this is one well-preserved, low-quantity Riviera convertible. Those who could afford this car new (equal to about $70k-$80k today), also had the means to take care of them and protect them from harsh elements. I’m not sure how many are out there in this kind of condition and with 30k on the clock, but there are probably not many. Here’s your chance to put the power top down on a time capsule and enjoy a ride in the sun. But don’t get caught out in the rain, that would be a first for this Riviera!
There was no Toro convertible. And this was certainly not the first Buick
convertible, merely the first Riviera convertible.
It looks like a 1985 Toronado convertible did exist:
http://smclassiccars.com/oldsmobile/535982-1985-oldsmobile-toronado-brougham-convertible-5l-v8-power-steering-windows.html
True. Anyone can create anything with the proper funds. My point was there was never a Toro convertible promoted in the factory literature like with Buick & Cadillac.
Mannix drove one. On TV. In the early 1970s.
D’Oh! Thank you for bringing that typo to my attention. I meant to type in Riviera, not Buick. It’s been fixed. Regarding a Toro convertible, American Sunroof Company also converted Toro coupes into convertibles from 82-85 and in low quantities like the Riviera. Can’t say that I’ve ever seen one.
There was one on Hunter! His informant drove one!
Actually. Looking at the engine. I may be wrong. But I think it’s the 4.1V6. If you look closely you can only see 3 plug wires on the one side. You can’t see the distributor. Also, the valve covers look like a 6.
I agree. I only count 3 spark plug wires on the one side. It’s got to be the 4.1. It’d be a good cruiser, just not a winning contestant in any stoplight drag races.
Although it doesn’t say in the description whether it is a 3-spd or 4-spd automatic transmission, the 10th picture in the ad, shows it to be the 4-spd.
Mike, thanks for verifying it’s a 4.1 L V6 as well as a 4-speed auto tranny. I’ve updated the article…
We had a family friend with an 81 Electra with the 4.1. Not a barn stormer but if you look at the hp and torque specs it was in the same ball park as the very small displacement V8s GM was using back in the day.
Thank you for identifying it as a 4.1 L V6. I’ve updated the article…
I had one of these with the v6. Not a screamer by any means but it was able to keep pace. I was rear ended on the Atlantic City Expressway and the insurance company totaled it. The body guy at my place asked me to buy the wreck. He fixed it up and gave it to his wife.
These are genuinely nice cars, I wouldn’t mind another one. Not surprised bout the bumper extensions. The plastic ones from gm were terrible.
I have wanted one of these for many years, but wanted a perfect one like this. Too bad I just purchased a 61 Cadillac Convertible… I would snatch this one up today. It is truly amazing. No sleep for me tonight.
The 4.1 V-6 was standard fare in M.Y. 1983.
Beautiful. And $25,000 cheaper than a rotted out 69 Charger. Great cruiser. Just hard on front end parts.
I’m not old enough to remember the “Last Convertibles” but as a car-crazed 8 year old I can remember the revival, with Chrysler getting to market first with the K-Car LeBaron and Dodge 600 in ’82 and Ford and GM following for ’83.
That being said, I never heard of the Riv or Eldo ragtops at the time, until recently I’d thought GM’s only entries in the revival were the Chevy Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird on the J body.
I Love these Riviera’s . I remember when they first came out , Very beautiful Cars. I’m a Lowrider guy and I always wanted to See one of these with a nice set of wire wheels on it But I think the Front end and rear Axels were to wide so I have never seen one of these as a Low Rider . Sure would love to have one and try to fix it up , Low Rider Style …
Maybe I’m just old, but man, that styling is just timeless! That is an absolutely stunning vehicle!
Everything about the appearance of the underhood area of that car tells me that visually (and I’ve seen a ton of this generation of Rivieras and Toronados, having sold a bunch of them from 1981-85), this one has a 307 V8, the number of visible spark plug wires notwithstanding. Not only did the Buick 4.1 V6 not fill the engine bay like the Olds engine, but that front mounted oil filler tube beside the A/C compressor was exclusive to the Olds.
The seller has contributed to the confusion by copying and pasting that blurb about “powered by 307 V8 or 4.1 V6” from another source, but I’m confident, looking at that underhood shot, that he was correct when he stated that this car has a V8.
Thanks for your expertise Phil. It is much appreciated.
It seems very strange to me that someone who cared so much for this car does not know what kind of engine it has. That’s kind of a red flag to me
These are very beautiful cars, evocative of pre-war cars without being excessively “retro.”
The “last Convertible“ thing of about 1976 came about because federal rollover crash standards were proposed that seem to eliminate convertibles. (The big “B” pillars on the AMC pacer, GM “colonnade” series cars, and the roof of the Mercury Zephyr bear witness)
The standards were never enacted, and Iacocca was the first person to see the possibility of re-launching convertibles, with great success!
We are contemplating our next old car may be an 84 or 85 Riviera, but NOT the convertible – I read that the converts were too “raddley” and not as tight as the coupes.
Very nice, just not $25k nice to me, most of the pics are too far away.
A neighbor around the corner from me has one of these in burgundy. He drives it on nice days otherwise it stays in his garage. It’s got some miles but is still in nice driver shape and a pretty cool car.
I had a 1980 made it into a convertible my friend made a few of these The only problem was the frame for support went across the transmission pan so it was a bitch to do service also had v6 but with turbo a real dog even when the turbo kicked in
I have a 1985 Riviera convertible, just crossed 22,000 miles today with the top down and the A/C on high. Great ride.
Add the Eldorado TC front and rear stabilizer bars and nylon bushings for the bars along with larger tires and front Bilstine shocks and it a great cruiser, not a Corvette but it will seat 4 people.
I’ve had mine for 22 years and love it.
Join the Riviera Owners Association and you will find all the information you need to maintain the car.
Very late in reading and responding, I tend binge read this site so I am frequently behind.
I started at ASC in ’89. The Riv was ancient history by then. I heard at some point that the Riv project was funded / championed by the New England Buick Dealers Association. A bit more involved project than the more typical regional special marketing package of decals and the like. BTW, ASC was very big into simcons at the time, namely simulated convertible padded vinyl roof treatments, frequently as part of a regional trim package, not always sponsored by the OEM.