If you’re like me, you’ve likely forgotten just how deep the line of turbocharged Buicks reached in the 1980s. While we almost always call to mind the Regal and Grand National, Buick also made T-Types out of its top-shelf coupe, the Riviera. This 1985 Riviera T-Type was almost a wholly separate vehicle compared to its sibling, with numerous engineering differences that even saw the land-barge Riviera make more power out of the box than the rear-drive Regal. This example is offered with relatively few details, but it looks like it will clean up well with a few hours’ worth of detailing. Find the rare Riviera T-Type here on craigslist in Saint Petersburg, Florida, for $4,975.
Due to the Riviera’s front wheel drive layout, the turbocharged V6 underwent a few key changes compared to the Regal. Perhaps the most significant of these differences was a freer-flowing exhaust that netted the Riviera more power and torque, with 185 b.h.p. and 280 lb-ft compared to the Regal’s 170 and 260, respectively. And as any half-decent hot rodder or tuner knows, you can easily enhance those baselines with any number of turbo-friendly modifications. This example appears to be bone stock, with the interior we’ve all come to know and love in a car like the Riviera – lots of fake wood trim and endless cloth comfort.
What’s perhaps the most interesting detail about this particular T-Type isn’t its engine, but rather its production year. As the E-body wound down, so did sales, and in 1985, just 1,069 turbocharged Rivieras were sold, making this ’85 example part of a very small class of T-Types that year. The car appears to remain stock with its original wheels and badges all accounted for, and despite the blight of clearcoat failure on the hood, the rest of the navy paintjob appears presentable enough. The chrome trim on the lower portions of the body panels can sometimes hide rust, but hopefully that’s not a problem on this southern example.
The backseats looks like it was never used, and between it being a two-door and a popular retirees’ car, it wouldn’t surprise me if only the driver’s seat saw regular use. The listing notes “…lots of new parts” but doesn’t provide any detail on what those are, but one would hope an assortment of hoses, belts, and suspension bushings were part of any refurb efforts. Though it will not likely appreciate in value to any significant degree, turbocharged Buicks are known to be a competent platform that make good power, so this one should find a home without too much of a struggle.
From a distance, that license plate looks like something else.
Beautiful. Today Buick is ugly China junk. And GM killed Olds and Pontiac. Used to be loyal to GM. Not anymore. Worst cars on the planet.
I had one. Exactly like the one here.
Wife blew it up on warranty.
Otherwise it was a hoot
One of my favorite designs of the 80s, especially with the slick roof. Just the right balance of curves and angles.
The T-type wasn’t available with a vinyl top. Occasionally you’ll see one with, but that would have been dealer installed.
While on a business trip to Tucson, AZ, I went to a car show and bought a black ’85 Riviera T-Top with red velour interior in perfect condition (I thought) at a car show for a good price. I decide to drive the car back to Ohio (2,000 miles). I didn’t realize that some of the roof seals dried up (this was an ORIGINAL desert car) until about 1,000 miles into the trip I got into a heavy rainstorm with heavy hail. The car leaked a lot and the hood and trunk were pock marked. When I got back to Ohio, I installed new roof seals and had the car repainted in the original black. It did run and drive great and was a rust-free Arizona car with a perfect interior. Took it to an Ohio car show and traded it even for a great ’89 Custom GMC long wheelbase pickup truck.
You mean Regal?
There was no t-top option for the Riviera.
Jeff, these cars were not originally painted in basecoat/clearcoat. They were lacquer. I still have one of these that I bought new. Same exterior color as this one but with gray leather interior. Superb handling car with a light engine up front and really fat sway bars.
The only time I see any of these is here on BF. You guys have a nose for these.
I like it,and have wanted one for a while, but like the old rear drive rivs as well,but this is classy and would actually not some respectable gas mileage in comfort.
style all ways seems to go down w/leading generations? Sure true here. Fantastic 1st gen, 2nd leaves me thinkin, by 3rd I’m sayin Y?, but here, defiantly nonononono 4th’n out. Toronado? even quicker.
3.8 cant even save it. Turbo, naw
Many will call the earlier 80s cars malaise era, but that notwithstanding at least 80s cars had personality. Today you can’t tell one rounded blob from any other. Like the uniqueness of this car at any rate.
I like this car so much after I had a Buick Riviera I got a Oldsmobile Toronado 350 v8, then after that when out I got another Buick Riviera ‘V8 then after that I got a Cadillac Eldorado 4.1, all great.
The Olds Toronado with a set of good real snow tires on a front went through the worst winter we had to Northeast at the time without a problem
Has anyone ever heard of someone doing an LS conversion to a 79-85 E body?