Growing up just north of Flint, MI, my psyche has been permeated by Buicks for much of my cognizant life, so it makes sense that I regularly shop for their flagship model, the Riviera. This is one of two Riviera T-Types for sale I didn’t buy. The fact that I’ve never owned a Riviera astounds me, like a freak of nature or a fireball plummeting through the sky. How can a man own five antique cars (two of them Buicks), love Rivieras, yet never have owned one?
The easy answer is that every Riviera I have ever looked at had problems I didn’t want to deal with at the car’s price point, and I’m too cheap to pay for a really good one upfront. In other words, it’s all my fault. This particular example had ruined bumper fillers, a common problem. That in itself is certainly not a deal breaker, but for three grand I just didn’t want to deal with it. Additionally, the T-Type packs a turbocharged 3.8 Buick, and in the words of an ex-girlfriend’s dad, “no used turbos!” Good advice, given the maintenance habits of the typical consumer, along with 25 years of sand through the hourglass.
I’m going to back things up a bit before I delve any further into 1980s Rivieras. I’ve been searching for the right first-gen Riviera for about 14 years. A few times, I was within a coin flip of pulling the trigger; in fact, last March I was behind the wheel of a very decent ’65 model that was priced about $2500 more than I wanted to spend. I’ve driven hours and hours to look at Rivs, but every time, I’ve come home empty handed. It’s my second favorite car in the world and I just keep coming home empty handed. Argh!
Considering the complete futility I’ve encountered in the search for my dream Riviera, I’ve diverged from that path into more accessible Rivieras from time to time. I rank second-gen Rivieras just a little lower on my list than earlier models, but they aren’t exactly commonplace or inexpensive either. The ’79-’85 models also pique my interest when the mood is right, and this one was no exception.
The only problem with this style of Riviera is that it’s not a ’60s model. With my limited amount of space, I try to be sure I won’t suffer any regret regarding my purchasing decisions. To me, I just can’t get to that point with an ’80s Riviera; I’ll always wish I had bought an earlier one. Apparently, not having a Riviera is better than having one that’s not my first choice. I’ll never come to terms with my thought process.
photo credit: hemmings.com
Obviously, this generation of Riviera is a beautiful car for its time period, one that deserves recognition from a loving owner. In a lot of ways, it really successfully carries on the Riviera mystique. It still wears a proud hood ornament, and its creased and peaked sheetmetal perpetuates the grand Riviera tradition begun by the original ’63. For the late ’70s and early 80s, it’s a unique, standout model.
T-Types are Buick-powered, unlike the 307-powered mongrels that seem to make up the majority of survivors. And they were rare! Buick produced just over 1,000 T-Types in each of the 1984 and 1985 model years. I passed up two (the first due to rust). Oh well.
With 200-horsepower in 1985, at least the Riviera T-Type moves out with authority, unlike the 307-powered cars I’ve ridden in; but in this case, I think I’d rather have a 307. I don’t want complexity in my rare car; a turbo adds complexity, and complexity adds cost. With that cost, I might be able to buy a beautiful ’63 Riviera, and that is the reason that a T-Type is not sitting in my garage right now.
I’ll bet that could be made into a real sleeper by adding some Grand National performance modifications to it. Nice looking cars too.
I wonder what happened to the alloy wheels? It seems that the T-type alloys were snagged. I like this generation Riviera, its quite a pretty car.
Normally I like GM’s blocky dashboards. But there’s a difference between “blocky” and “big wood block”.
I do like the rest of the car though.
Yeah, the full sized Buicks looked better by breaking the wood slab up with the silver instrument dials.
Agreed and it makes that steering wheel look quite out of place IMO.
I think that steering wheel would look out of place on pretty much any Buick.
Maybe it would work on a Grand National.
The cool thing about this dash is that there is a little flood light over each of the a/c vents that shines down when the lights are on.
The bummer about the sport steering wheel is that you loose the option to add the telescoping feature.
Love these. Turbo V6, FWD full size Buick coupe?
Just the right amount of wrong.
These cars are the most attractive to me without a vinyl top or wheel option. The body curves really stand out without the busy top or wheel trim. I briefly owned a dark green 1980 model with Olds 350 which I should have kept (FACEPALM).
I’d be all over a ’79 or ’80 model because the V8 offering was an Olds 350. I think the S-type was available with this engine — which would be my top pick.
Carmine correct me if I’m wrong on the S-type deal.
I’m fine with the vinyl, it was popular at the time and tastefully done compared to many cars.
But, it was refreshing to see a Riviera without the extremely common vinyl – and the standard wheel covers. Those covers were mighty rare. I like them, but they seem a little plain. I wonder if that was the point – to encourage sales of the wire covers and styled wheels.
I like the rare C body without vinyl as well. It makes them seem like an entirely different car.
“I like the rare C body without vinyl as well. It makes them seem like an entirely different car.”
I’d be all over a 77-84 Electra coupe with vinyl delete. Especially if I could get it with the turbo’d V-6. Here’s a pic of the coolest B-Body LeSabre ever offered. How could Buick not build a gentlemans hotrod? Hey T-Type fever went rampant in the late 80’s. Buick even had a concept car that was a late 80’s vintage Estate wagon powered by a GNX motor. Q-Ship,sleeper,etc. That’s what I’m talking about.
I knew the turbo was still available in the LeSabre that year, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ’80 Sport Coupe before. That’s pretty cool! I like the matching lower body cladding and B-pillar trim, and the one in that ad looks especially good without the vinyl top.
At some point in the 80s, I think every single Buick model had a T-Type variant, even the Skylark and Somerset.
Correct, in 1979-1980 the turbo was sort of a free flowing option from what I recall, without consulting the sacred scrolls, the S-type came WITH the turbo, but could be ordered with the 350, and vice versa also, you could get a non S-type Riviera, which came with the 350 and opt up to the turbo.
I like the vinyl top, but what I REALLY like on this vintage Rivy are the electroluminescent “R’s” on the c-pillar and the unique Riviera only “blade” like lamp monitors.
Another interesting artifact, from what I recall, is that there were 3 choices of astroroof on this Riviera, with 3 different tints, bronze, silver and green or blue.
Didn’t see JB’s comment before I wrote mine about the S-Type 350 below, my bad.
CARMINE – Were those illuminated Rs available (standard?) through the whole run ’79-’85 or only on the early ones? I don’t remember ever seeing them lit up. I haven’t seen too many Astroroof-equipped Rivieras either, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one on a T-Type. My perception may be skewed by the large number of Riviera convertibles always for sale at any given time, though. It seems like lots of people bought those just to stick in garages and sell on eBay 30 years later.
The “opera lamps” were an option for patrons of the arts. They were available through the entire 1979-1985 run. When they age they usually crap out and people don’t bother to repair them, they don’t have bulbs, they used an electroluminescent material that lights when power is put through it. So if the material goes bad, you have to replace the material, they also use power from an inverter or something that is mounted somewhere in the rear quarter of the car to light them.
They weren’t available on the T-type, which had a T-type emblem on the sail panel where the R was on the standard Rivs.
hey man im looking for those light covers any idea where i can find them
I hate, hate, hate the dashboard on this. Easy way to decapitate yourself in a crash.
This is a great idea for a new CC series – The Cars that Got Away. We all have that list of cars that we were very interested in but for some reason did not bring home.
I think many of us would have lots and lots of material!
Where to start???
I doubt you’ll ever regret choosing an older Riv over a newer one. If I hadn’t started out my adult life with an attic full of GP parts, I’d probably own a mid-late ’60s one right now.
The guy who built that (seemingly flawless) supercharged blue Bonneville limo I covered some months back also has a hopped-up “Grand National” Riv. What can I say? When that man puts a car together, he goes all out.
http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2006/11/01/hmn_feature7.html
Somehow, this generation of Riviera never really did anything for me. If they were RWD that would likely have been a different story – but as it sits, I’ve never owned one and can’t see myself buying one anytime soon.
It’s a shame, though. Had I been into them, no less than four rare birds have practically fallen into my lap in the past couple of years:
– One T-Type, ran/drove/little rust/$1500 (passed)
– A guy with two convertibles, one complete and in driver condition, the other for parts, $1200 for both (didn’t even go look)
– Yet another vert, which appeared in the back row of Gunderson Motors (the local GM dealer)… looked well cared for, went super cheap, ended up on the poor side of town, now it never gets washed and has lost its wheelcovers
I may have a picture of the latter while it was on the lot. Will have to do some digging….
Beautiful car. Wonder how they are to drive?
Aren’t Buick turbos pretty common, parts wise? And aren’t they pretty reliable? I don’t get why anyone would want a 307 over a Buick turbo personally.
I don’t have much experience with turbos but I have a 1990 Celica Alltrac as my DD, it’s the first turbo car I’ve ever owned and I love the punch the turbo gives it.
Most of my cars are slow. I don’t really care how fast I go as long as I keep up with traffic.
It seemed as though Buick like the rest of its other GM Cousin Divisions were very much leaning towards larger sized cars. The large cars shown on this Photo Montage Compilations were at one time considered Compacts or Intermediates which are now considered Full Size today. The particular year ranges shown here is from 1972-95. The following similar sized Buick 2 Door Coupes were as follows: 1974 Buick Apollo 2 Door Coupe (Top Row Left), 1972 Buick Skylark 2 Door Coupe (Top Row Right), 1978 Buick Skylark 2 Door Coupe (Second Row Left), 1978 Buick Century 2 Door Fastback Coupe (Second Row Right), 1980 Buick Regal 2 Door Coupe (Third Row Left), 1981 Buick Regal 2 Door Coupe (Third Row Right), 1982 Buick Riviera 2 Door Coupe (Fourth Row Left), 1989 Buick Riviera 2 Door Coupe (Fourth Row Right), 1995 Buick Riviera 2 Door Coupe (Fifth Row Center), 1987 Buick Le Sabre 2 Door Coupe (Bottom Row Left) & 1985 Buick Electra 2 Door Coupe (Bottom Row Right). I did not include the Downsized 1986-88 Buick Riviera, Reatta nor the other Front Wheel Drive A, X, N, J, W and their 1990s through current replacements because they were less than 195.5″ inches nor they don’t have a Two Door Coupe version.
I owned a 1972 Riviera for a short period of time. It had the 455 and the ever swoopy boat tail, great car, but had the “tin-worm” something fierce. I wish I had kept it, but I had the chance to buy back an old ’61 Biscayne from a colleague and sold the Riv’ at the next cruise-in downtown. That 455 was a monster, I am at least glad I had the experience of owning and driving one if only for a few months.
My Mom had a 1979 Riviera that Dad special ordered. He made sure he got the 350 V-8, four wheel disc brakes and firm ride and handling suspension. Mom made sure it had the factory power moonroof and right hand lighted visor mirror. I was a little brat and made sure Dad ordered the rear seat reading lamps for me so I could read in the back seat when we went on trips! Our Riv was charcoal gray with oyster white leather and the silver half vinyl roof. We had people actually stop us and ask us about that car all the time. It truly was a stunning car, especially for the times. Sadly, Mom got hit by a 16 year old in a Duster in 1985 when the Riv only had about 30,000 miles on it. It was a total loss and I will never forget that car.
You don’t know what you are missing. I’ve owned so many 84-85 T-Type Rivs I would dare to say something like I’ve owned 1% of the T-Types built in those two years. A lot of the GN stuff wont work on a Riv because its turbo sits behind the engine instead of on top of it. My fastest one was a silver 84 that the OO had a vinyl top installed. With just a bigger fuel pump,gutted cat and chip I could pull high 13’s in the quarter with my “grandma car”. Quite a surprise to many a unsuspecting Impala SS owner or RiceBoy at a stoplight. The 84-85 Riviera T-Types only had 190HP and not the GNs 200HP as qouted. The difference was the camshaft. The GN used a special 3.8SFI grind and the Riv used the old 4V carb cam. Most of my cars weighed in the 3800 pound range with the usuall heavy options like astroroof and BoseDelco. The 84 was technically faster than an 85 since those had a 3.36 final drive ratio instead of a 3.15 for the 85s. The THM325-4L transaxle was basically a special unit that used some technology and parts from the GNs THM200-4R. Same special stall torque converter. I even borrowed some suspension bits from an ElDorado Touring Coupe to compliment the handling an a couple of them. I never bought into the used turbo philosphy. If your a competent buyer than you know how to spot a dud a mile away. I would sayits 50/50 on the cars that I have owned that have had the turbo replaced. How do you tell on a Buick? The wastegate actuators are fixed from the factory and adjustable on the factory replacements.
I know someone that installed Eldorado Touring Coupe suspension components on a Riviera convertible.
Thanks for the additional info on this car! I must have found some faulty info on the 200 horsepower rating.
You are correct. The ’85 Turbo Rivieras were rated at 200 HP and 300 Ft-Lbs of torque (SAE Net, of course). They were quickest/fastest of all the ’79 – 85 E body variants.
3.36? Fairly aggressive stuff (at least for a factory install on something that wasn’t “sporty”.). I imagine it would move out pretty well.
I didn’t really care for these Rivs, styling-wise, years ago. However, they’ve grown on me, and I now think they’re pretty good-looking, especially without the vinyl and with the T-Type alloys. That dash though…yikes. Has a wider unbroken expanse of fake wood ever been installed in a car? I’m not even crazy about fully wooden dashes when they’re the real thing in old British cars. Here it’s just atrocious. Wonder how hard it would be to swap in something more attractive?
These cars had 4 speed overdrive automatics by this point. I believe the overdrive ratio was 0.70:1. .70 * 3.36 = 2.35. No different than running a 3 speed automatic (with no overdrive ratio) and a 2.35 axle ratio.
The ’85 Turbo Riviera was rated at 200 HP and 300 Ft-Lbs of torque.
I’d rather have a ’63 Riviera too… but I’d rather have a ’63 Riviera than most cars!
I think you’re seriously overestimating the complexity of the Buick V6 and turbochargers in general. I guess it really all depends on what you’re more familiar with, but in my experience, the EFI V6s are way simpler and more drama-free than any GM feedback carb engine (307 included). The addition of the turbocharger is little more than some plumbing and electronics that rarely have any problems. It’s all ones and zeroes – a piece of cake to keep running perfectly all the time. Keeping a CCC engine in good tune is a black art in comparison, and swapping a regular carb requires adding complexity before subtracting it as far as I’m concerned. I would worry about buying a used WRX from an 18 year old, but people who own these Rivieras are almost always old farts who’ve barely stretched the V6’s legs. The carbed turbo ones are a headache waiting to happen too, but they’re extremely rare.
I’m not such a big fan of GM’s fullsize ’80-’85 cars, but the E-body is my one exception and I think the Riviera T-Type is the coolest of them by far. They strike me as a modernized and shrunken version of a 1930s supercar. What else was ever available with the combination of body-on-frame construction, FWD, 4-wheel independent suspension and forced induction? I can’t think of anything, but if there ever was something like that, it was probably some obscure Grand Prix racing car from the 30s.
If I can’t sell you on the turbo, I do think that there were some years where you could get all the T-Type equipment with the 307 as a “credit option”, but I’d imagine those are extraordinarily rare. I’ve never seen one, anyway, but I’ve read that it was available. The T’s predecessor, the S-Type of 1979, also came in both turbo and V8 form – and those I have seen. Plus, it’s the Olds 350/4bbl V8, the last year it was available. That would probably be the one to get. Personally, I can’t even fathom not wanting the “Grand National engine” version (what the kids call ’em), though. Buick car, Buick engine, ~200HP, proven and reliable, better driveability and economy… just so much cooler in my book!
That black one in the last picture with the factory turbine alloys is just about perfect, and given the whole 1930s vibe I catch off these cars in general, I think the Broughamly decadent interior is very fitting. I want that thing so bad. I can park it right next to my ’63 and boat tail Riv right after I win the lottery.
+1 on the 63.So often American car makers got it right first time and the later models were never as good looking.
1964-1965 would be the better choice, I would rather have the Turbo 400 over the 1963’s last year Dynaflow.
Didn’t realize the Dynaflow was still flowing that late in the game. Noted for when I am rich, thanks!
I currently own an 85 Riviera with a 307. It’s a good looking car don’t get me wrong, but it is eexxxxxxxtreeeeemely slow. The 307 was rated at 140hp from the factory, and God only knows what it’s putting out now. I’m being out-accelerated by school buses when taking off from a light. The handling is basically what you’d expect from a car built primarily for old people. To be quite honest my riv is probably the slowest car I’ve ever driven.
Have you gone through the car and made sure that everything is functioning as it should? Tune up?
it runs fine, fires on all cylinders, and I change the oil every 3k. it’s just dreadfully slow. A 3700lb car with less than 140hp isn’t exactly gonna be quick
Oil changes really don’t have much to do with that, what about the ignition, carb, timing, spark plugs..etc.. etc,…..but it will perform as best as it can for what it has….in your original post it seemed as if you were complaining about the performance. Were you expecting something different? You still shouldn’t be “out accelerated by school buses”.
A properly running Olds 307 Vin “Y” motor should move this car off the line and through the mid range fairly well. It will never ever be mistaken for a modern day 300 HP LaCrosse or even a 4 cylinder current Regal but should not be out accelerated by a school bus. Most every older 307 powered car I have worked on had one of the following issues 1) Base timing was retarded by as much as 15 degrees due to a backyard mechanic trying to eliminate gas ping. 2) Inoperative EGR valve or blocked EGR passages causing number 1. 3) Carburetor way out of adjustment, especially the TPS 4) Plugged catalytic converter from years of the above issues.
The best part was that literally every single one of these 307 equipped cars ran nearly perfect, idled smooth etc. A good tell tale sign is poor mileage and lack of response. It takes someone familiar with these CCC Quadrajet equipped engines to get them to perform right. It’s a bit tough but hardly impossible. A good proper running 307 Riv with the 4 speed automatic and 2.73 gears should easily run around 10 seconds 0-60. if it’s slower than that check all of the above or have the car checked by a knowledgeable mechanic.
I had two 81 Riviera’s. The first one I ordered and at the time the factory was not taking orders for the V8 so I ordered the non turbo V6. I wish I had waited for the V8. After 10,000 miles and about the same number of blown head gaskets I traded it on a diesel Riviera which gave good service until 80,000 miles when it fell apart. At that point I got an 84 Town Car which never gave me any problems. The Riviera was the quietest car I owned until I joined the Lexus camp.
These cars will always have a special place in my heart having been my first car.
Thanks for this story on the Riviera. This was one of my favorite Rivieras. I liked the look. I still would take a Oldsmobile Toronado over this Buick Riviera because I am more loyal to Oldsmobile and because I own a Toronado.. I can say this model was one GM got right. It was sad what happened after( 1986-1988). I liked this car for its size, features and luxury. The turbocharged T Types are real winners and rare. I do like the 1989-1993 because it tried to recapture this Riviera’s magic. The GCC in the 1989 model was offered on a few 1985 models too.
1989 Buick Riviera:
It really does sound like it isn’t the cars — it’s the author…. 😀
That is a fact, almost always!
Another interesting thing about these cars, they were one of the first cars from GM with the available Delco-Bose radio system in 1983.
You mean Delco-bLose? Those systems were hugely overhyped. Take the speakers apart and take note of the cheap “full range” paper drivers, small magnets, cheap plastic housings, etc.
I completely missed these cars when new,I lost interest in Rivieras after the demise of the boat tail.A nice looker but my favourite American car from 1984/5 is the Lincoln Mk VII.The Buick is still a whole lot better than the awful 86 abomination,a Deadly Sin of the highest order
Just looked at a silver 84 T-Type online. Low mileage but they want 9900 bucks for it. I need to win the lottery!
This looks quite similar in photos to the Pontiac Grand Prix from the other day. I get that one is a touch smaller and fwd, but I wonder whether building both cars was worth it? Then again, it would seem that question would be better aimed at later generations of these cars…
They were indeed similar in design and their overall lengths were not really that significant. The 1978-80 Pontiac Grand Prix measured in at 201.8″ and weighs in at around 3,150 pounds. The 1979 Buick Riviera measured in at 206.0″ however the Riviera weighs in around at 3,850 pounds or 700 pounds heavier than the similar sized Grand Prix. This makes the Riviera only 4.2″ longer than the Grand Prix and however irrelevant the size differences with the 1979 Buick Skylark of only 5.8″ or slightly less than half a foot shorter than the Riviera made both cars within the same size class along with the Century and Regal. The 1978-80 Grand Prix had strictly RWD. Only the Riviera had FWD.
I think the Riviera is a good deal wider too though.
Not really actually since both the 1978-80 Pontiac Grand Prix and the 1979-85 Buick Riviera share the same width of 72.8″. In fact both cars were only 0.1″ wider than the 1975-79 RWD X-Bodied Buick Skylark. Even the shorter 1978-81 Chevrolet Camaro was a bit wider than ALL 3 Cars by less than 2″ or 74.5″.
The Skylark was only the single year of overlap though–1979 was the final year of the RWD skylark, whereas it was the first year of the Riviera. So the size mismatch was incidental (much like the ’77 situation where the “midsize” A-body cars were both larger and heavier than the freshly downsized “full-size” B-bodies.
Plus you have to remember GM’s strategy at the time of trying to cater to brand loyalists. As Pontiac didn’t have an E-body car to complement the Rivieras and Toronados it shared showrooms wth, the Grand Prix had to fill essentially the same role.
A more pertinent question might be the logic of having the Regal coupe and the Riviera at Buick, or the Cutlass Supreme coupe and the Toronado at Olds. Made sense in the 70’s when the cars were better differentiated, less so in the 80’s in my opinion.
Very Interesting Perspective. The Buick Regal and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme were known back then as the RWD A-Bodies were in fact almost near twins to the slightly larger FWD E-Bodied Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado even though the former were RWD back then and the latter were FWD. I am not sure if the platforms of both cars were a little similar though because both were made of separate body and full ladder perimeter type frame and not much of a big size differences between the two cars. I hope an expert can answer this one. In GM’s mind, the Buick Regal was part of the Century line while the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was also part of the regular Cutlass or Cutlass Salon line so there was really no Chevrolet Monte Carlo nor Pontiac Grand Prix type personal luxury cars. In their places, this is where the Oldsmobile Toronado, Buick Riviera and even the Cadillac Eldorado comes in to fill those mid size personal luxury category. In addition, the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac Le Mans were separate models from the Monte Carlo and Grand Prix and were marketed as such.
I think it all ties in, though it forms a somewhat muddled strategy. My *guess* is that, since the Riviera and Toronado existed as separate models, the “next step down” coupes could be badged as part of the Regal and Cutlass Supreme line, whereas since there were no E-bodies for Chevrolet or Pontiac, the Monte Carlo and Grand Prix had to maintain a separate image from their Malibu/LeMans siblings.
Alternately, one must consider that when these cars debuted in ’78, the Regal and Cutlass Supreme were both coupes only. The mainstream A-body Buick was the Century and the Olds was the Cutlass Salon, both of which were the odd “slantback” versions and offered 2-door, 4-door, and wagon versions, just like the Malibu and LeMans. Once it was obvious the buying public had no interest in the slantbacks, they decided to make the restyled notchback 4-door models part of the line of the existing coupes, Regal and Cutlass Supreme.
I owned a ’63 Riviera years ago. Mine was red, but upon closer inspection later, had been Arctic White (IIRC?) originally. My advice is this, and I think you’d find this accurate from nearly anyone whoever owned a first-gen Riv: get one that is in very good to excellent shape, and make sure virtually EVERYTHING important works on the car. Why? Basically, they are a pig to restore. A list of issues I had is below.
The heater/AC system in mine was all screwed up; a massive, crazy number of vacuum lines (and parts apparently) were missing, which I discovered after purchasing an official ’63 Riv manual. No one wanted to tackle it to make it right; every time I turned around, I’d hear someone tell me they knew someone that COULD fix, but they were either dead or retired (thanks for the sour persimmons, cousin!). So…in order to at least have heat, I installed an aftermarket heater on the floorboard of the car and redirected airflow to the existing vents. Ghetto? Yes, but it worked. Other issues? Leaking windshield at top, which was caused by water getting between the trim and roof (fixed professionally); a sense of CO poisoning on long trips—which was confirmed when pulling away the floor carpet, there were holes in the floor (new floorpan installed—costly); and, the killer, the tranny wouldn’t shift into reverse. Fix? Rebuild (keep it numbers matching) or switch to the newer, cheaper, easier to find tranny that would bolt up (does memory serve that was a TH 350?). I chose the rebuild.
Further, when someone followed me, they said that the tail looked like it was wagging the dog (scary, rusty framework issues I really didn’t want to know about). So, after spending a boatload of cash on this thing (hey, the power windows all worked!), and paying $3500 (too much) for it initially, sold it at a swap meet for $1400. Can still remember it being driven away; part of me died that day, but it was time to move on.
Again, because of the rarity of parts, and the difficulty of working on complicated parts systems, do yourself a favor—find one in good to excellent shape. You’ll likely pay dearly for it, but in the end, will be glad you did.
Is this car the t type Riv is it still there and is there a number
These pictures are from 2010. Sorry…
This next posts shows similar sized Buicks made from 1972-95. Now I scaled each one exactly as how their relative sizes would compare with one another and there were really not much of a big differences. Yesterdays Compact/Intermediate Size Cars are now considered Large Full Size Cars today.
I own a Buick t type with 60.000 miles on it and I’m looking to sale all original I’m the third owner and I have the car fax I’m located in Houston Texas perfer to sale to collectors
Like new
My gawd what a hideous instrument panel on that ’84 Riv.!!!!!! Whoever designed that atrocity should’ve had his knuckles beaten to a bloody pulp by a rabid nun!!! But GM was a rabid auto maker in those days. Lots and lots of shi@@@ cars pooped out of their factories back in the disasterous 80s. And lots and lots of pissed consumers paid the price of owning many of those lemons and then swearing off american cars for good. Honda and Toyota persevered with hoards of very happy customers; and then came Lexus, Infiniti and Acura and CABOOM! The American auto industry really flatlined. It’s beyond me why anyone would be proud to own a GM car from that horrible era.