1953 Riviera Automatic

1953 Buick Super Riviera Description

1953 was a big year for Buick: it was their 50th anniversary, the OHV V8 debuted, and cars like this handsome 1953 Buick Super Riviera remained the most stylish cars on the road. Offered in great colors, this is a wonderful '50s cruiser with a few smart updates that make it comfortable in today's world. Riviera was Buick's name for the hardtop, those beautiful 2-door coupes without a B-pillar which GM introduced in 1949. The beautiful styling works particularly well on the long and low Buicks, and there are many who will argue that the '53s are the best-looking Buicks ever made. Simple white paint is timeless and will always look great, and it safely eliminates the risk of having a pastel color that doesn't appeal to everyone. The finish is pretty good, offering straight bodywork that shows off attention to detail where it matters: on the big quarters where you can see that slicing character line, and up front where Buick's familiar sweep-spear trim begins. It shines up rather well, suggesting that when it was painted years ago, they did some good work. Then there's all the chrome and stainless trim, which, on a Buick, can easily cost $10-15,000 to restore, and all of it is in above-average shape. The toothy grille looks brilliant and all the emblems are in excellent condition. The blue and white interior is also very close to what this car might have worn originally, and it's every bit as comfortable as it looks. The Super was Buick's intermediate model, but it's still got big car comfort inside, with room for six in a pinch and a very elegant look throughout. The big steering wheel is not only ideal for maneuvering the big coupe, but also a very cool styling detail with its horn ring and three-color horn button. Individual round gauge pods handle the speedometer and auxiliary dials, and there's a matching clock in front of the passenger, although it's sadly inoperable. The factory Sonomatic AM radio is up high in the dash, and while the chrome is showing some age, it's all there. As a full-sized Buick, you also get a massive trunk that's neatly upholstered with carpet instead of a rubber mat, as well as a full-sized spare tire. Under that massive hood, you'll find Buick's famous "Nailhead" V8, with this one displacing 322 cubic inches. A legendary torque factory, it moves the car effortlessly and as a Buick, it just purrs away. It's dressed correctly in turquoise engine enamel and still inhales through a standard air cleaner and Stromberg 2-barrel carburetor, so it's silky smooth and surprisingly potent. The giant radiator keeps it cool and the original generator still makes the electricity. With a recent tune-up, it starts easily and pulls well, even with the Dynaflow transmission, which makes it feel like an electric motor. Like all Buicks before it, this Riviera rides on coil springs all around, which gives it that trademark Buick ride, and there's a fresh muffler that give the Nailhead a unique sound. Steel wheels with factory hubcaps carry 235/75/15 whitewall radials that ride and handle great. This awesome Riviera delivers a great old car look and feel with impressive power that means you can drive it anywhere. Call today!