Car enthusiasts generally go for the first generation Riviera, but sometimes we encounter mixed reception for the second generation. Personally, I like the second generation Riviera as well as the first. This 1968 Buick Riviera was a restyle from the 1966-1967 that includes those wide parking lights on the outer edges of the front bumper and the taillights in the rear bumper. I can imagine seeing this car coming down the road at night with those headlights so close together and you wonder what it is coming at you. Unless the buyer can figure out why the headlights won’t go up and down, it will best be used for daytime driving. This Riviera is for sale here on Craigslist in Belmont, New Hampshire.
The seller describes the interior as very good and original. I think I would just leave it at good. Something doesn’t look quite right with the front seat bottom compared to the rear seat. Yes I know, front seats get more use than the rear. I’m wondering if the front seat bottom was replaced but not quite in the original pattern. The dash pad is cracked. No mention as to whether things like power windows and air conditioning work. The headliner is in good condition.
The vinyl roof appears to be in good condition as well. The body does have some places that have paint issues on the sides. It is an Arizona car that was last registered in 2013. The seller describes the frame as mint. I’m not sure that’s the description I would use. The seller also states that the trunk will need a little patch work. I would think a new trunk pan.
This 430 cubic inch V-8 has been driven 90,000 miles in the last 50 years. Fluids have been changed and there are no leaks. Look how much room those headlights fill under the hood. It will need exhaust work as well. The buyer could actually leave the car as it is. Personally I think some things are going to need attention, however I believe this Riviera is priced fairly. The seller has reduced the price from $4,000 to $3,500. Is this the kind of classic ride you’re looking for?
The sellers ad says the headlights do not go up.
How much farther up does he want them to go?
This is an easy to repair vacuum system, so I wouldn’t worry about that part.
It looks like an honest car for the price, I just wish they would have left it in Arizona.
As a classic vehicle fan and collector I like and own different makes models and Buick is one my favorite classic brands. here in Beirut Lebanon very congested narrow roads I had choose between a Mint 78 Electra 225 had 24K original miles and also mint ALL original 72 Skylark coupe has 55K I bought smaller Skylark . Personaly Never cared for FWD classics was always fan of traditional RWD american cars ! here is original ad by seller of my 72 Skylark before I bought it :
https://www.connorsmotorcar.com/vehicles/445/1972-buick-skylark
This isn’t front wheel drive. The Riv didn’t go FWD till 1979.
I knew that ! I was stating Never cared for front wheel drive cars in general !
What does your ’72 Skylark have to do with this ’68 Riviera?
Oh man, lacking only bucket seats and a console shifter to be my ‘67.
I like the exterior design of the 2nd gen Riviera (1966-69, excluding 1970) very much, but beginning in 1968 the interior lost all of its distinction. Bench seat (buckets optional) and a bland, fussy dash that could just as well have been on a LeSabre or Electra. The driver looks at the inside and on the post-67 Riviera it’s pretty meh.
I’m one of 2 people who actually like (and have owned) the 1970 one-year-only Riviera model.
Comparing the interior to that my my 63 Riv, you are completely correct that the interiors got less distinctive with the model year changes. The buckets and console option definitely lived up the interior, but from 66-70 I have rarely seen that option installed.
I do “cared for FWD classics ” & just imagine seein em in europe when new. The Riv’n Toranado…even the last yr convertable (’79 El Derado). What kinda looks would the locals have on their face when 1 athose went by in ’66, ’70, ’79?
Now this is an image in the mimd of a fella who hadabucha alfas, fiats, lancias, in the 60s/very early 70s.
Thnx Bill!
Pretty nice car! The headlights are on a vacuum! Easy fix, there should be a screw setting to raise them manually! I can’t believe that he or she isn’t smart enough to just fix it! Surely not?
When I was a kid the lady across the street who always drove nice Buicks had a Riv like this, either a 68 or maybe a 69, GS, sort of a beige color with dark green vinyl top and matching bucket seat interior. Had the nice Buick wheels and all, it was a BEAUTIFUL car. She always and only had it serviced at the dealer. While it’s not as nice as hers was, this one looks like it might be very worthwhile if the body is solid.