1953 Buick Super Riviera

1953 Buick Super Riviera

White/Carlsbad Black, Dark Green-Light Green interior

322 V8, Dynaflow auto trans.

The current owner purchased this Buick Super Riviera from a lawyer in Milwaukee, WI in1973. He traded it at some point for a 1960 Buick Invicta convertible, then later he bought the same Buick Super Riviera back because he missed it. Now all these years later he is downsizing and the Buick is on the market. The odometer reads 34,943, but its been around at least once, with actual miles unknown.

A time-warp, factory-original Buick hardtop coupe car presented in its undetailed, long-term storage condition. Authentic in almost every aspect, including paint color, interior, hubcaps and wheels, green-tinted windows, stainless steel trim, and sweeping chrome. Repainted once in the factory black, which now shows a few rust bubbles, dents, scratches, pitting, discoloration and other effects of time. The car needs a general refurbishment but as it stands is a very comfortable driver, with a smooth V8 that received rebuilt heads years earlier, but with low miles since. The fuel pump was replaced with a new factory unit not long ago. The Dynaflow transmission was rebuilt decades ago by a Dynaflow expert, also with low miles since. The owner notes the transmission currently seeps some oil. The drivetrain was also renewed earlier, including the torque-tube driveshaft, transmission mounts, replacement differential, rear axles, wheel bearings, and new rear shocks. A NOS exhaust system was also installed. Receipts during the owner’s tenure cover additional minor repairs.

Rust on the car appears limited to some earlier front fender repair at the headlights, a sub-par steel plate repair to some rust-through on the driver’s floor, and a small area of rust-through to left internal corner of the trunk. The owner states all other flooring and sheet metal is solid. We weren’t able to get any pics of the chassis and underside, but it is well-used and has a lot of surface rust. According to the owner, there is no rust-through anywhere on the frame.

All dash gauges operate, including the speedo, oil pressure, fuel level, temperature and charging. The radio with adjustable windscreen mounted antenna does not operate. All lighting is operable, except brake lights. Heater and defroster operate. Power steering and brakes were options and not equipped on this car. Factory hubcaps are in nice condition all around. Original spare and jacking equipment. Tires are 20 year old Coker Air Ride period reproductions.

In 1988 the door panels and front seats were rebuilt and recovered in factory material in contrasting light and dark green. The owner states the rear seats match and remain as original underneath period seat covers. The headliner was in perfect shape until a mouse gnawed through a small section.Non-original and easily removed are the eight-track tape player and a cruise control module, both mounted below the dash. Interesting period-correct add-ons are the twin door-mounted spotlights (bulb not working in one), and Buick dealer accessory compass mounted on the dash top.

Sold with all repair receipts under this owner, extensive period literature and memorabilia, and three bins of hard to come by new or NOS 1953 model year parts in original packaging.The bins of parts hold many difficult to source new or used pieces. The owner has not inventoried what is there for many years, but a recent viewing uncovered a period correct Wonderbar radio, replacement spotlight bulbs, dealer accessory fog lights designed to be installed in the front bumper overriders, a portable accessory spotlight that plugs into the cigarette lighter, NOS cooling hoses, electrical, trim, used spark plug and valve covers, NOS engine parts and oil filters.

A prime example of the postwar Detroit automobile with a surplus of size, style and chrome. Offered at $15,000 with shipping available nationally or internationally.

For more photos and two videos of this car idling and driving, send a request to view with your e-mail address.