When the era of the muscle car ended in the early 1970s, times were tough for car lovers. Life got even rougher with the fuel crisis and the advent of the dreaded 55 MPH speed limit. What resulted was the automotive equivalent of making lemonade out of the lemons you are given. Americans turned to custom vans, luxurious land yachts, and personal luxury coupes. Of the three, the most prolific were the coupes. Every domestic manufacturer produced their own version of these two-door luxury cars and they proved to be very profitable in an era where profit was sometimes elusive. Queen among these domestic chariots was Buick’s Riviera. This 1979 version of Buick’s top-of-the-line coupe is a perfect example of just how classy and comfortable this section of the market could be. (Note: The ad states that the car seen here is a 1978 model. 1978 was the last year of the previous generation Riviera, which featured rear-wheel drive and a much bigger body.)
The Riviera name first appeared on a Buick automobile in 1949. It was used to evoke thoughts of the French Riviera and the wealth associated with that area. Later, the name came to be exclusively used on Buick’s top-of-the-line coupes after 1963. The Riviera was a huge moneymaker for General Motors and, for much of its history, the same could be said for its stablemates the Cadillac El Dorado and the Oldsmobile Toronado. The car grew and grew until the 6th generation appeared. It also moved from rear-wheel-drive to front-wheel-drive for this 1979 model year changeover. This was the first Buick driven by its front wheels since the brand’s founding in 1899.
In all, the sixth-generation Riviera had a model run that lasted from 1979 through 1985. An interesting aspect of these cars is that Buick offered no less than six different engines for Riviera buyers to choose from during that time. They varied from a rather pedestrian V-6 that could be ordered with a turbocharger if you so chose to a Diesel engine option. The sixth generation also offered a convertible top for sun lovers starting in 1982. A specially built twin-turbocharged V-6 powered Riviera convertible served as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car in 1983 as well. When all was said and done for this generation of Rivieras, over 370,000 examples had been built.
The 1979 Buick Riviera you see in the pictures above and below is in very good condition despite its age and having 80,000 miles on the odometer. Anyone who rode in a Riviera of this type can feel the picture above. The velour-covered seats were quite comfortable, and who could forget the sound and slow sputtering motion of a General Motors power seat moving you to your chosen position? We can also see a set of GM floormats that were probably a dealer-installed option and the dangling cord is surely the mike of the rarely-seen optional AM/FM/CB radio. Such standard Riviera niceties as a faux wood-grained dash and no shortage of chrome and polished stainless steel trim are present as well.
We are told precious little about this Riviera by the seller. All we know is that it was garage-kept and that everything works. The ad also states the obvious fact that it is in mint condition and all original. It would have been nice to know which engine option the original owner chose, the car’s service history, or anything else for that matter. If the pictures are any indication, proper detailing and going through the car mechanically would probably result in the new owner enjoying a reliable and charmingly beautiful personal luxury coupe of the highest order. Too bad the day of such coupes has come and gone. Those of you who have never experienced such a vehicle owe it to yourselves to purchase a car like this Riviera to enjoy. They were a special car then, and the pictures show that a Riviera is still quite a desirable automobile even today.
Do you fancy a late seventies personal luxury coupe? If so, this 1979 Buick Riviera coupe for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Indianapolis, Indiana has a lot going for it. This mint condition Buick still presents well and has just 80,162 miles on the odometer. With an asking price of $7,500, is this the kind of car that makes you want to rush down to the bank? Thanks to Bruce M. for the tip!
that’s not a 1979. Wrong outside mirrors and once couldn’t get the overdrive transmission in 1979. This is more like an 1981.
I’d say even later than that – maybe 1984 or 1985 looking at the GM Delco stereo installed.
You are correct. Look at the header panel. Only 84 and 85 were rounded like this. And look at the steering wheel. That’s 84-85.
Comfortable cruising guaranteed when driving a Riv. 😌
The grill and rounded header panel plus interior upholstery pattern indicate it has to be an 84 or 85 model. I have owned an 83 conv and still own an 85 conv, so I am very familiar with differences in early and later models of this run.
The vehicle in the photos is either a 1982, 1983 or 1984. 1979 was the only year with conventionally mounted exterior mirrors. The steering wheel is off of an 80’s Riv too. Damn, I used to know all the differences.
When the new Riviera came out for ’79 it was like “Dang, that’s a good looking car”! The two year B-body of ’77-8 never resonated with me. I drove one in a friend’s wedding party once with the big six. No stormer but still a nice car. Colors trigger people on this site and few things say senior citizen to me like a white car with blue interior.
I agree with those saying this is not a ’79 (and much more so not a 78 like the listing says, which is troubling by itself!! Yikes.) My parents owned a ’79 they bought brand new and then a friend of mine ordered an ’85 from the factory that was just a stunner with every single option on it… so this one is very likely an ’83-’85 from my experience. I do want to add that I really admire the others here that knew things like the o/d transmission, mirrors and the steering wheel were no way from a ’79. The steering wheel shown on this one didn’t come along until a least ’81.
One of the comments on his fb profile says he answers one question then blocks you. I know when i sell cars or trucks i at least know what year i am selling. I bet at the very least that is a pic of another car not the one for sale. Too fishy to be real to me. It is FB marketplace remember. Nobody cares what you post or what lies you tell on there.
Thankfully, there are a few sites dedicated to these cars where you can look at (albeit limited number of) photos of each generation of Riviera and spot differences, like the aforementioned exterior mirrors being different on the ’79 than the years to follow it.
What I ALSO noticed was that the SEAT STYLE shown in this car is the 84-85 as the model years prior had a different seat style. As @HollywoodCollier pointed out, and I agree, this is a potential scam without the car shown (or any car) actually being sold. Thanks for sharing that!
The THM 325 Overdrive didnt become available until 82. So thats the newest this one would be. That style steering wheel came out in 84 I think and as was already mentioned that stereo is probably 1985. But that being said…. Nice Riv. No matter what year it is.
It’s a beautiful looking car for the money but what year is it? It was well carefd for. The price is good.
It’s a 1985 model, I’m nearly 100% Sure.. One of my dear friends owned this same model, bought it brand new and even had the same Blue Valure interior… I thought it was Gorgeous then and Still Love the lines on it now… Sure it’s an ’85…