I was pretty busy with work/business in the ’80s and had stopped paying attention to new cars. Especially many domestics that didn’t seem to measure up to anything worth measuring. I kept an eye-out for Camaros, Mustangs, Corvettes, and Grand Nationals but I was checking out Japanese models mostly to the extent that I was checking out anything. Now, so many years later, it’s entertaining and educating to take a look at what I missed. Case in point, here’s a 1981 Buick Riviera. Back in the ’80s this Buick, to me, would have been an, “if you blink, you’ll miss it” kind of car, especially compared to the Bill Mitchell inspired Rivieras of the ’60s. But this time around, this Riv has caught my attention and it’s worth taking a closer look. Located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, this ’81 Riviera is available here on craigslist for $6,900. Thanks to Pat L. for this tip.
Luxury cars of this vintage were frequently referred to as Luxo-barges like this beautiful Lincoln Mark V found last week. The reality is, however, that this Riviera was down-sized considerably starting in 1979, certainly from its excessive past, so the snub is not exactly accurate. As a matter of fact, this ’81 Riviera is part of Riviera Generation Six which makes it both down-sized and the first generation of front-wheel drive Rivieras.
As with last week’s Mark V, this Riviera is in beautiful, lightly used condition. It has more mileage at 47K miles than the Lincoln but it is registering very little visual wear. Of note is the fact that this Riv is a “T-Type” but by 1981, that meant cosmetic features and not necessarily a turbo-charger. There really is no visual cue as to the T-Type trappings with this example but it is what it is. The body and Light Blue Metallic finish of this Buick are like new, this is a car that has clearly been well maintained and stored properly. Depending on your perspective, the typical ’80s luxury-inspired wire-wheel covers either help the cause or hurt it. They are commonly found on cars of this vintage but there were other, better, options available too. The seller suggests that this Riviera has been used mostly as a show car but it would make a good daily driver – that seems like the wrong fate for a 39-year-old luxury car in such gently used condition.
I found the view under the hood to be surprising. While an FWD layout, there is a V8 engine, not a V6, and it is longitudinally placed, not the commonly found transverse-mounted arrangement inherent in FWD designs. The engine in question is an Oldsmobile 307 CI unit good for 150 net HP. The seller is silent regarding this Buick’s operational aspects but I would imagine that it pulls out pretty well with this torquey V8 engine though I imagine, being an early GM front wheel driver, torque-steer probably enters the picture. The transaxle is a three-speed automatic unit. The seller advises that he has replaced the exhaust system, wiper blade motor, front shocks, belts and hoses.
The interior is early GM all the way – very typical for the era. It is in magnificent condition and shows minimal, if any, wear, something that is a challenge for GM fabrics from this time. It really doesn’t look like it has experienced occupants over its 47K miles of operation. One of the T-Type features is the faux wood veneer slathered across the instrument panel. It seems a bit much but that’s how luxury and near-luxury cars rolled in the ’70s and ’80s.
This Buick is a survivor, a car that many probably didn’t think was worth surviving. Pretty much any vehicle gets cred if it lasts long enough (well, not every vehicle, but most) and it is especially enticing when they remain in the pristine condition that this Riviera possesses. The overall appeal of this Buick is probably a bit limited, but I am sure there are those that would really appreciate it and enjoy ownership. Might you be one of those individuals?
Nice, but I immediately pictured it being blown to pieces in a Scorsese film. Sorry.
And that was before I spotted Pauly Walnuts behind the car.
I think Robert DeNiro’s character mentioned something about a reinforced floor in that car that saved him.
It’s nice but it would be much more interesting with the turbo V6.
NO. The Riv shown is NOT a “T Type”. Those came out in `83, not `81. The C-pillar opera lamp, landau vinyl roof, wire wheel covers, velour interior all say standard Riviera. I noticed this car does have some sort of optional 3-spoke steering wheel, but that doesn’t make it a T-Type. Sounds like the seller doesn’t know what he has.
There was indeed a Riviera T Type in 1981.
I ordered plenty of them when I was the fleet manager at Fanning Cadillac-Buick in Chicago. Not with vinyl roofs and wire wheels of course, but more the way they were intended to be like in the `81 brochure below.
Though the Turbio was standard, whoever ordered that mess put in the optional 5.0 litre engine. So all it has to designate it is a T Type is the suspension, steering wheel and name badges.
They replaced the Riviera S Type from 1980.
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/buick/81buick/bilder/4.jpg
Being a retired GMSPO Dist. Manager, I concur….You are correct Dave. One of my dealers was Jacob’s Twin on W.Grand Ave. I also remember Fanning’s “issue” in 1990.
Yup, definitely legit…
http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Buick/1981_Buick/1981-Buick-Full-Line-Brochure/slides/1981%20Buick%20Full%20Line-04-05.html
My wife had a Buick Skyhawk T-Type when we got married. I always remember that T-Types had unique mag wheels. Could you even get wire wheel covers on a T-Type?
Buckets + console + 3 spoke wheel = T-type
I checked and found two positives: the olds 350 motor was painted blue and the 307 was black. 350 was a much better motor. Also it appears to have the non overdrive transmission. That means a more durable transmission. Did you drive the turbo V6? it was a dog. But lastly his price is high especially if the lacquer paint has the typical “crazing” meaning a whole paint job down to the bare metal.
Engine color varied by year, not by displacement. In ’81 the Oldsmobile (and Buick) 350s were gone, having been discontinued at the end of the 1980 model year, and all GM engines were still being painted GM blue, as they’d been since 1977 (although some early ’77 engines were initially painted their traditional divisional colors).
The change from GM blue to satin black engines occurred across the board at the commencement of the 1983 model year.
As long as those 307s that replaced the 350 in the Buick’s were painted with a good marine paint, able to fight off sea creatures and barnacles, cause they made great anchors, along with the equally terrible 403 Oldsmobile motor that GM put in the Trans Am in 79, if you opted for automatic transmission, and they wonder why the country is driving Toyota’s
Bought one of these brand new in 84. Light gray with maroon roof. Best thing about it was the delco/bose radio which was available for the first time that year. Everything else was garbage. I remember averaging at least one trip to the dealer every month for warranty repairs. Unless you lived through it it’s hard to imagine today how bad most American cars were back then.
Of course the earlier Rivs were beautiful, but I really do like this generation too. Of course I grew up in the 80s so my automotive tastes are thusly warped. But to be really honest about the 80s – THEM WERE THE DAYS!
Texted the seller and asked that he send the VIN. His response? ” not to you”. I responded, ” nice way to sell a car” too bad… Cash in hand.
Vin would have settled t type or not
The actual V.I.N. is: 1G4AY57Y0BE432322
And it is a T-Type!
This is not a T-type car. They all had the V6 Turbo and the unique chrome wheels. It would also have the “T-type” logo on the front fenders and the trunk lid and glove box.
I know that you might think it’s a T-type but I owned a 1979 T-type & all T-type’s had a, V6-with a Turbocharger, hence the name T-type, 3 spoke steering wheel, Buick Sport wheels, Bucket seats, console,floor shifter automatic transmission great, fun ,car to own and drive. My daughter was 12 years old when I sold it & she was heart broken, she’d wanted me to save it for her 1st car. Her first car was a 1994 Fleetwood Brougham, DeElligance, Silver on Silver on grey interior with a 5.7 liter engine she was so surprised by how fast the Land/Yacht was! However I still miss the T-type Riviera today! Dark Green metallic over Tan Velour interior! That was 15 years ago.
I owned a brand new 83 Riviera, black w grey top, grey velour, beautiful piece of junk, underpowered 307 paint was terrible, last time GM got my money
Interesting car! I owned an almost new 1981 T type. I always thought they were only available with the turbo 3.8 engine. Mine had the wire wheels, vinyl roof and the unique badging. I really liked it other than the self levelling air suspension and that engine. It needed its 3rd rebuild at 114000 Kim’s. The local Buick dealer wouldn’t even work on it. It along with an 82 Park Avenue, another disaster, were the 2 worst cars I ever owned. I would never buy own unless it had a V8.
If you read my above caption, the V8 was no prize, it was junk
You could certainly get an ‘81 Turbo T-Type with wire wheel covers and a Landau roof. My dad had one in maroon. Whenever I got my hands on it, I laugh at the 2 stage yellow/orange boost gauge
I have a 1981 Buick Riviera that I bought in 2000 for $200. It had a spunt timing chain at 140K, but it had never been wrecked.
Over 21 years later, $8000 in engine and trans, tires, CV’s, etc. and a mountain of my own wrench time, including shooting on a new platinum paint job and black vinyl top with new bumper fillers…..she looks absolutely stunning…..wish I could add a current pic…..actually so nice, I really don’t even like to drive it, I just kinda do the Clint Eastwood thing….park it out front in the yard in the summer time, sit on the front porch, drink beer and stare at it all day…..