Among ’80s Buicks, “T-Type” meant luxury combined with sportiness and usually (but not always) high-tech turbocharged power. Buick made just over 1000 Riviera T-Types in ’85, and this turbocharged 1985 Buick Riviera T-Type is one of them. The mostly-complete car needs work in every department, but it’s fairly complete, and the $2500 asking price certainly sets a low barrier to ownership. The Peoria, Illinois classic was “excellent running” when parked years ago, according to the seller. Turbine wheels add a sporty touch. Check out the listing here on Craigslist for more pictures and details. Thanks to Chuck F. for spotting this diamond in the rough.
Fans of Buick’s giant-killer Grand National may recognize this Riviera’s turbocharged 3.8L (231 cid) V6. Its 200 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque were closer to the Corvette’s 230 / 330 during a year when most American luxury cars got by with numbers in the low 100s. Someone keen to make a magazine-quality sleeper could readily apply some Grand National go-fast tricks to far surpass those numbers.
The Riviera came loaded with standard air conditioning and power options, and the T-type added the turbocharged V6, grand touring suspension, leather sport steering wheel, and more. The cloth seats were common in the ’80s and show the wear you might expect from a claimed 80,000 miles.
Though not as iconic as the boat-tailed Rivieras of the ’70s, the formal roof line makes for a large trunk lid and an elegant sloping tail light panel. Pin-stripes were de rigueur in those days, and normally detract from the designer’s lines, but I rather like the stripe line on this luxury coupe.
One might surmise a leaky sunroof accounts for the ruined headliner and other damage. Hopefully this shows the worst of it for this Riviera, but the condition of the underside remains a mystery. These days it’s not easy finding a $2500 classic. Would you consider this turbo luxury coupe?
Nothing as inexpensive as a $2500 classic, even if found in a CSI backlot.
how unfortunate.
we had one a T-Type Riv in light blue/silver paint with blue velour.
fantastic personal luxury coupe with tons of torque for the day and WAY out-performed the 307-4V we had in ’84.
FWD smokey burnouts were easy and fun until the fumes started pouring in through the open moonroof and stinking up the interior giving away my hooliganism.
40mph passing on two-lane roads was a blast, surprising many sportier cars.
i’d love to have one again.
Hot air car, so performance potential is limited unless you want to spend some money. Still, a pretty cool car that’s going to need quite a bit of work.
It seems to be just about the right age. Buy on the cheap, spend a few years working on it and suddenly it’s value goes sky high. At 35 years old and in this condition it would seem to be a bargain, in ten years when it’s 45 years old and not many around, and by now you have it in immaculate condition; who knows it might be worth more than a 401k. If you’re young enough and healthy and you have an understanding spouse why not go for it. It’ll be an education if nothing else.
God bless America
I’m more about the Spirit R/T next to it…
Dad bought a 79’ off the showroom floor it had the Olds 350’ 4bbl which made me happy being an Oldsmobile fan. @80,000 miles the mechanic still said the car didn’t need plugs. He used Amoco super and changed oil religiously. Stopped in it at a light I thought it had stalled but it was just that smooth. Toronado too the same year. I think the 80’ models used the same 350’
we had a 79 Eldorado with the 350 and it was probably equal to the T-Type 3.8 in power and acceleration.
great powertrain package: super smooth and quiet with plenty of reserve to pass (for the day).
but i don’t think it did better than mid-teens for mpg on the highway.
we had a couple 350 diesel Toronado’s in the early 80’s that were good for 20+ mpg but Dad said they were “dangerously gutless”
Oh no I wasn’t going to mention diesel lol I bought a used Delta 88 with the only knowledge I had was driving a friend’s Toronado Diesel and it was a later year after they did some improvements plus he bought brand new but mine was a nightmare. You could floor it from 0 and be beat by a jogger. Only thing it was good for was a little road rage if someone behind me was tailgating I’d floor it and leave clouds of black smoke.
My memory thought 366 or some similar displacement for the pre-4.1 cars. No?
1979 Eldorado had the injected Oldsmobile 350 the 1980-1981 Eldorado had the Cadillac 368 6.0 liter V8 which is the last variant of the 472-500-425 cid Cadillac engines made from 1968-1984.
$2500 what a deal! That’s no money. Clean it up, get it running and driving and cash out. When the Grand National guys see this, it will be gone. That’s one many will regret letting get away. Why don’t I buy it, you ask. I’m older than white dog poop. If I was ten years younger, I’d be on it like white on rice.
lol just spray some water on that old ness it will hydrate. Enjoy your days my friend.