This is a gorgeous, original, numbers-matching example of a first-year Buick Riviera. This car remained in the same family from new until early 2008 when it was acquired by Midlife Classics. It is originally a Bostonian car, but was transported to Fort Worth, Texas a few years back when it was given by one brother to another.

This brother had over $6,000 in restoration work completed and then put it in storage. When acquired by Midlife Classics, it was run through our "Return-to-Service" process and has since spent some time back on the road and at local club meets and car shows. To date, it has trophied in its first two local shows for "1960's Best Original Car" - and that was prior to any restoration work done by Midlife Classics.

The odometer indicates 62,500 miles that are reported to be original. The recent restoration work included a beautiful base-coat/clear-coat paint job in the original metallic burgundy. The interior is the original black leather with the only known work being the recovering of the drivers seat. The rest of the seats are in good condition with some patina that is probably best left as is rather than attempting to recover them. Mechanically, it is in excellent condition. The previously-mentioned restoration work included a complete rebuild of the brake system - including the hard lines and hoses.

In addition to the above work (completed under prior ownership), Midlife Classics had the engine's cylinder heads completely rebuilt (new valves - with hardened seats, bronze guide inserts, new rockers, new rocker shafts and new lifters). The engine and transmission were removed and thoroughly detailed along with the engine compartment. The water pump, timing chain and hoses were all replaced. This engine is smooth, quiet and strong. Great attention to detail is obvious when you open the hood.

Overall condition is truly excellent. The paint is stunning. The interior is beautiful and the 401 cubic inch V8 delivers a smooth rush of horsepower through the Dynaflow transmission (which - like a constant-velocity transmission - doesn't shift while accelerating, but just propels the car at an ever-increasing speed while the engine remains at a nearly-constant RPM). This car turns heads and elicts endless chatter whenever I stop. Despite being in Boston all those years, rust is not a problem. The underside of the car shows only surface rust - and no more of that than you would expect to see on any car of this vintage.

VEHICLE CONDITION:
• Body: Nearly flawless
• Paint: Excellent with a stunning reflective gloss and no noticable chips or scratches.
• Exterior Trim: The chrome is in excellent condition with just minor pitting on the front bumper and some trim pieces. The rear bumper looks fresh.
• Interior: Excellent overall with a freshly recovered drivers seat and some patina on the rest. Both rear seats have minor seam splits at the top. The side window weatherstripping is dried out and does show its age.
• Mechanical: The 401 "Nailhead" V8 runs smooth, quiet and strong. It starts promptly whether warm or bone-chilling cold. There is no smoking, coughing or sputtering. The engine is free of any leaks and abnormal noises.
• Running Gear: The suspension and steering give a smooth plush ride with no noticable chatter, vibration or pulling to one side or the other. Much of the suspension was rebuilt during the previously-mentioned restoration work. The power finned-aluminum DRUM brakes haul it down from speed more quickly than you might expect with no pulling, pulsing, vibration or squealing.
• Electrical: Everything works as it should (including the original AM radio) with the exception of the clock.
• Features and Options: Power steering. Power drum brakes with finned aluminum drums. Power windows.
• Tires: White-wall radials with at least 80% of the tread life remaining.
• Recent Work (by Midlife Classics):
  • Rebuilt Heads:
  • New Valves
  • Hardened Valve Seats
  • Bronze Valve Guide Inserts
  • New Rockers
  • New Rocker Shafts
  • New Lifters
  • New Water Pump
  • New Timing Chain
  • New Filters (air, oil, fuel)
  • Fresh Fluids (oil, coolant, ATF, P/S)
  • New Hoses
  • Rebuilt Brake Master Cylinder and Booster
  • New Muffler (Aluminized OEM Relacement)
  • Engine Compartment Stripped and Refinished along with all ancillary components
  • Engine and Transmission Removed, Cleaned and Refinished along with all accessories
  • New Windshield Washer Motor (aftermarket unit, but seamlessly integrated)
• Inspection/Registration Status:
  • Texas Registration Valid Through February 2010
  • Texas Safety Inspection Valid Through September 2010