About a week ago, I reviewed this 1985 Buick Riviera. It was a standard, generic coupe edition, but notable for its extremely low mileage and excellent condition. Today, courtesy of Jack M., I have a second ’85 Riviera to cover, but this one gets double green stamps because not only is it a turbo-charged version, it also drops its top! At 121K miles of experience, this example has seen significantly more road work than the previous Riviera encountered, but it still presents very well. Lakeland, Florida, is where you’ll find this one-of-400 convertibles assembled, and it’s available here on craigslist for $20,000.
The convertible version of the sixth-generation (’79-’85) Riviera commenced in 1982 and concluded in 1985, with a total production figure of 3,900 units. This final year of ’85 saw the fewest, with just 400 copies being converted, from coupes, by American Sunroof Corp. (ASC). The lines of this car in top-down mode are smooth; it looks balanced, though I’d like to see this one with the roof in the raised position. And that’s not only to get an idea of the exterior’s overall appearance, but I’d like to know the condition of the folding fabric top. Beyond that, the white finish, chrome, stainless trim, and wheels still look like new. The seller claims “Always garage kept,” and this car’s fine condition bears out that claim.
Instead of a weezy 140 HP Oldsmobile V8, this Riv relies on a 200 net HP 3.8-liter turbocharged Buick V6 powerplant. A four-speed automatic transaxle puts the power to the front wheels, but unfortunately, nothing is said of this car’s running or driving aptitude.
The leather-clad interior is what else, but burgundy – GM’s go-to shade in the eighties and nineties. The environment’s condition is excellent, which indicates this Buick hasn’t spent too much time in top-down mode. The leather seating upholstery still looks fresh with no indication of cracking or splits, and the carpet is free from fade or obvious wear. The only interior detraction that I would note is the cheesy-looking faux wood slathered all over the place. I know this is 1985 we’re talking about here, but the luxury touch planking seems over-the-top for even ’85 standards. The seller claims that the A/C is ice cold, and that’s good to know. I can tell you from experience, top-down mode often isn’t a good substitute for a humidity-drying air-conditioning system.
The seller states that this Riviera is “one of 49 produced with this combination,” and I gather that means a turbocharged convertible, finished in white and wearing a maroon leather interior. Well, OK, then, but so what? The convertible body style helps, as does the turbocharged engine, but beyond that, I doubt any other features matter. This car’s value speaks for itself as it seems to have been properly cared for and well-maintained. That leaves one question: which would you prefer, last week’s low-mile, V8-powered coupe or this turbo top-downer?
I’d take this one over the coupe. With only 400 convertibles produced in ’85, it’s not unreasonable to assume that only 49 total (1 in 8) were turbocharged. Buick buyers tended to be pretty conservative. Seller may be a bit optimistic on the price, but it’s a unicorn at this point.
Interesting vehicule. Not a T-Type but a Turbo and convertible. I just wonder if the underpinings are T-Type as in suspension and so and so or did Buick just okay it stock. All in all a gorgeous car that will definitly draw attention at the local cars and coffee.
It almost certainly has to be a T-Type, even though the emblem is missing from the deck lid. That was the only way to get the turbo V6 in a Riviera, and it has the T-Type wheels.
The last two years of converts used the aluminum wheels. The converts were concerts by ViN. A convert is a Z67. The T-type and regular Riv were other model numbers. T-type was a Y57 and Riv was a Z57.
I always like this generation of Riviera convertibles. The best colors were either white or maroon. That said, this one looks a little sad. The miles are kind of high and the price is as well. I don’t like the tires on it either. Riviera’s came with whitewalls. The leather interior doesn’t look too well taken care of either. I think that this car is over priced for what it is.
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Another one on Facebook right now
may have the G/N engine but not the punch. it’s neat but not for 20k IMO. looks like twin Arnold drove in the movie RAW DEAL
Just about the rarest of the rare for Buick. I know only one person who owned one of these and he worked for Buick Motor Division in Flint, MI.