Compromising can be challenging, especially for an enthusiast searching for a classic car. They often need to trade off luxury for performance or vice versa. That isn’t the case with this 1970 Buick Riviera. It features enough luxury appointments to make any journey comfortable, while the V8 under the hood ensures it should get up and going if poked with a sharp stick. It is an original and unmolested survivor that has led a sheltered life, but the time has come for it to find a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed this Riviera here on eBay in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $2,136.
Buick’s Second Generation Riviera graced showroom floors from 1966 until 1970, with our feature car emerging during the final production year. The original owner ordered it in Sandpiper Beige with a Brown vinyl top. It retains that combination, and as an unmolested survivor, it would be fair not to expect perfection. However, its overall condition is impressive. The paint shines nicely, and the vinyl looks good for its age. There are a couple of minor marks and blemishes in its panels, but there is nothing severe demanding immediate attention. The worst is a ding on the passenger side rear quarter panel near the wheel arch, but a reputable shop should have no trouble addressing it. The listing suggests the seller has been the car’s custodian for thirty-five years, and it has been garage-kept during that time. It never sees rain or snow and only emerges from hiding when the sun shines brightly. Therefore, the Riviera’s rust-free status is unsurprising. The seller emphasizes this fact, and the supplied photos support the claim. The trim and chrome are immaculate, as is the tinted glass. The Buick factory Rally wheels provide an air of subtle muscle, which is confirmed when we lift this classic’s hood.
Buick marketed the Riviera as a Personal Luxury Car, with the Ford Thunderbird firmly in its sights. This focus was emphasized when you compared mechanical specifications. This Riviera rolled off the line powered by a 455ci V8 producing 370hp and 510 ft/lbs of torque. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission, with power assistance for the steering and brakes cementing the car’s luxury credentials. Many consider the Riviera a “gentleman’s muscle car,” and its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 15.1 seconds supports that belief. But how does it compare to a Thunderbird? Ford’s entry-level engine was the 429ci Thunder Jet V8 producing 360hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque. It lagged behind the Riviera by a second over the ¼-mile, and even the 365hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque churned out by the optional 460 saw the T-Bird fall short by a ½-second. Only when the subject turned to top speed did the tables swing in favor of the Ford. The Buick’s V8 ran out of breath at 135mph, but the T-Bird could hit 137mph. However, since achieving either speed on the open road is illegal, that is largely irrelevant. The listing indicates that this numbers-matching classic is in sound mechanical health. The seller describes it as a pleasure to drive, which I find easily believable.
The Buick’s interior carries all the hallmarks of luxury motoring. The new owner will slide behind the wheel of a car featuring air conditioning, power windows, a power front seat, a power trunk release, an AM radio, a functioning factory 8-track player, and a wood-rimmed tilt wheel. The general presentation is tidy, but it isn’t perfect. There is visible wear on the driver’s side of the front seat, and I’d be inclined to fit an aftermarket slipcover for protection if I found this beauty in my garage. The carpet appears to need a deep clean, and what looks like a bubble is developing in the dash pad center. The faux woodgrain on the dash has suffered typical deterioration, but a brief online search uncovered a company that supplies replacement kits for $135. Otherwise, the remaining trim and upholstery are excellent, and I wonder whether anyone has ever used the back seat.
It has taken eleven bids for this 1970 Buick Riviera to reach its current price, but I believe the figure is probably well short of the reserve. Recent sales results suggest it will need to head into five-figure territory before it achieves that goal, and a realistic sale price should be around $15,000. Values are climbing steadily, meaning the winning bidder could become the owner of a luxury classic that is an appreciating asset. I can’t think of a downside to that scenario. Can you?
This would be a good car for Russ or Michelle to review.
Why is that, Rex? I think all the writers do an excellent job, while I gain my composure for a real post, stay tuned,,,
Okay then, I don’t know about you, but can anyone make any sense of what’s going on in this hobby? Here you have, without question, the BEST of GMs many years of building quality cars, this, I feel, being the absolute zenith,,,,and $2600 BUCKS? I mean,,,,diddly, diddly,,,now,,I’ve lived long enough and experienced a great many things, and I can kind of tell BS a mile away. Perhaps it was my job, I had to constantly watch my back, but something just doesn’t jive.
This car is what I would consider the nicest personal cruiser GM made. The Boatail Riv was too far out there for most, this was exactly what that single uncle with a good job and lived at home would buy and GM knew it. For many, a Caddy was just too stuffy, but this car could show up at any country club with no disgrace. Man, I’d love run this baby cross country,,,except, it’s single digit gas mileage could be an issue, especially when the Ford Focus( or equivalent) gets 5 times the mileage. Oh well, the sacrifices we must make,eh,, what a beautiful car.
As I recall a one-year only body style, and a SLOWWW seller.
The models before and after said unique, personal luxury cruiser,
Riviera! This model year apparently drawn up by a GM Team
formerly assigned to LeSabres.
One year only body style. Hmmmm….Actually it ran from ’66 through 1970, so 5 years. It’s an awesome design, a perfect successor to the ’63-’65 design.
Sorry, It was a one year.. very ugly……
This was the last GM car to employ the X Frame.
This is NOT a one-year only body style. Rather, it is a heavily facelifted version of the previous 4-year version. 66 & 67 were the same; front and rear updates for the nearly identical 68 and 69. For 70, the major change is the heavily skirted quarter panel. Were the rear wheel opening like the 66-69 models it would be more obvious. Remember, the Riviera, Toronado and Eldorado shared body structure, The 70 versions of the other two were nearly the same as their 69s, and so was the Riv–minus the quarter!
And the roofline, rear window, trunk lid, etc.
I owned a 1970 Buick Riviera in 2000. It is somewhat similar to the ’66 through ’69, but it’s much more than a heavily face-lift. It’s definitely a one off.
Also, you could get it with skirts or skirtettes, being a really small flaired piece that gives it an open wheel look. That’s what mine had, and all the paint came off mine and they were all chrome underneath which looked pretty cool. Just like the side spear, that was color coordinated with the body, but if you take all the paint off it, it’s all chrome underneath. This beige one has that.
The nice things about this generation Riviera was you could get them all luxury or all sporty or a combination of the two. I would classify mine as luxury/sporty as mine had bucket seats and console with a really weird “cicle” shift lever. Vinyl top, skirtettes, 455-4, p/s, p/b, p/w, p/l, 8 track am-fm stereo. Once I removed the vinyl top it looked even sportier.
I really regret getting rid of it and my 1971 boattail Riviera, also in the sport luxury theme.
I’ve seen a few ’70s around, but most have a bench seat, column shift, and more than a few with crank windows and few luxuries.
Mine was dark green (an extremely popular 70s color) med green vinyl top, black interior. After removing the vinyl top, I sprayed it gray primer with a hint of color and it came out looking pinkish/lavender, which actually looked pretty good IMO.
I’ll see if I can hunt up a digital photo.
Buick offered ⚙️ 2.73 (std) up into the 3.90s lol..awesome. Wicked model the Riviera.
Very cool car.
Body with personality, engine with a lot of health and good condition.
It is the image of a successful householder.
Great post Mr.Clarke.
Is top speed more a factor of gearing, or of an engine running out of breath?
I think it says 430-4 on the air cleaner?!
Does look it at first. It clearly reads 455 when you enlarge it.
I bought a California 70 riv for $1200. In the eighties. Non-posi, it would spin one tire as long as you wanted and not go anywhere. Truly unacceptable gas mileage and 2 dollar gas explains why they could not give them away. I couldn’t get rid if it fast enough.
NOTE: The “bubble” in the center of the dash pad is the sensor for the auto-temp AC,
Some of my favorite Riviera are the 66-70 models. Not as light in appearance as the six and seven but sleak none the less. Normally I would balk at a metal spoked steering wheel on such a trim but during this time Buick succeeded in having the most atrocious looking wheels one was forced to sit behind. It becomes worthy of placement.
The ’66-67’s were a GM styling masterpiece.
By ’70, they had grown rather cumbersome-looking… to us. Still, a nice find for someone looking for that particular year.
Here’s my ’70 Riviera after priming it. Loved this car, regret getting rid of it. Stupid divorce.
The side spear sans paint as well as the skirtettes. Those front bumpers were extremely fragile.
Plus I took the headlight chrome casings off.
Angel, you made it your own. Good for you.