Riviera Hardtop! 1954 Buick Special
A Buick, like this superb 1954 Riviera, was always a Buick! They consistently were no-nonsense, near-luxury, stout performers. Back in the ’70s, a garage co-worker and I were talking about the collection of blown-up or worn-out engines that we had scattered around in our shop and I remember him saying, “We got a bit of everything but when was the last time that you saw a Buick V8 in here?” The answer was “never”, at least as far as the post-nailhead variety went. Buick today? Are they even still in business? No more Rivieras, Wild Cats, Gran Sports, Deuce and a Quarters, no nothing of interest unless it’s pigs on stilts style CUVs such as the Encore, Envision, and Enclave, that’s it. Let’s reminisce over this regal Riviera, discovered by Larry D and residing in Covington, Virginia. It’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $15,100 with the reserve not yet met.
If you have a new Buick, no offense meant, but when I look at the marque that sold itself on the premise of “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?“, I just shake my head – what was once so sublime is now mostly gone other than the name and the memories. So, what was a Riviera in 1954? It was a breezy two-door hardtop design that was available on the Special (such as our subject car), the Century, the Super, and the top dog Roadmaster. Also known as a Series 40, the Special was available in two and four-door sedan body styles, as well as a station wagon. The Special Riviera was a hot seller with 71K finding homes in ’54.
Not said is whether this Special has been restored or is a survivor though I’d go with the former as survivor status, in this condition, would be something to crow about. I can’t find fault with its appearance, it’s a magnificent design in beautiful condition without indication of a single foible. The chrome wire wheels are reminiscent of those worn by the limited production Skylark model and a nice period touch.
There are no engine images! A big faux-pas in my book but we’re told that the engine is a 150 gross HP (Buick claimed 143) 264 CI, V8 tethered to a Hydramatic Dynaflow, automatic transmission. The seller mentions that the powerplant is wearing a K&N chrome air cleaner and that’s it for a description.
The upholstery is finished in a cloth and vinyl arrangement, which looks similar to the original combination, but I can’t tell with certainty if it is as originally planned. The shade is a sort of oxblood which my eyes don’t think goes that well with a Matador red exterior but it works – and the interior’s condition is just about perfect. My attention is always drawn to instrument panels from this era and this Special’s is not to be missed. I particularly like the aviation-inspired heater/defroster slide levers!
Oh Buick, where have you gone? Unfortunately, about as far away from this Special Riviera as one can possibly get. I suppose GM keeps the Buick brand around due to its far eastern marketing position and sales but it’s a dead brand to me anymore. But I suppose the same could be said about many of the remaining domestic brands – they just don’t inspire enthusiasm. I really don’t recommend living in the past, but when you encounter a car like this 1954 Buick Special Riviera, it’s tough not to wish for prior times, right?
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Comments
“I really don’t recommend living in the past, but when you encounter a car like this 1954 Buick Special Riviera, it’s tough not to wish for prior times, right?”
Nailed it on the head, Jim.
My folks had this one in all black with a red interior. The Florida sun glistened on the chrome making it seem like it was almost too big to fit in the driveway. On a road trip a kid could comfortably lay up on the back window ledge and look at the sky going by-until dad hits the brakes and you come tumbling down onto the rear sofa,er,seat then bounce like your on a trampoline while everyone had a laugh..
Good times, individually styled good looking cars.
Good memories to lighten dark days.
Thank you, Jim.
Suggest being more careful in your write-up, there is a large difference between Dynaflow and Hydramatic automatic transmissions. Buicks were famous for their mushy Dynaflow torque converter tranny – no shifting, just vanes changing pitch as the car got moving faster at the same engine rpm.
There is a large difference between the two. The Dynaflow is the uninspired one that I keep trying to forget. I guess I was successful.
JO
The front end on these old Buicks always remind me of a Bloodhound. “Why the long face?” Lol. Nice car though.
Exactly what I was thinking. It’s a very “sad face” looking Buick. Beautiful car for all that, makes me pine for my ’51 Super.
Love these classics, but it looks like it is crying out it’s headlights.
Ahh Buick Roadmaster do you really need to say more? Why have we been forsaken Detroit?
At last, a REAL Buick. Another tag line ……”When better cars are built, Buick will build them”.
Or the tagline from the 60s ads: “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?”
If I had the funds I really would rather have this one….. I’ve always liked the late 40s through the 50s Buicks, even the overdecorated 58s aren’t as bad as the 58 Olds. And the 63-73 Riviera as well, some of the prettiest cars GM ever built.
Buick, I want a 57 Roadmaster Convertible, fully loaded including A/C, next a 65 Riveria Gran Sport all 425 cubic inches of dual 4 barrels. My 2 favorite Buicks. I would not be opposed, really to being given any restored 37-57 Buick, as they are all really terrific cars. I remember my dad telling me. way long ago about how his dad always bought Buicks. Started in 1926, up until his dad passed away in 1943. (Dad was in Burma at that time WW II) When he took his dad 38 Century 2 door sedan over 100 M.P.H. on the Mass. ‘Pike, and he was only in 2nd gear !
You nailed it Jim. Buick has been gone since shortly after the clueless asshats running GM shut down Oldsmobile and Pontiac. My favourite Uncle, Tony bought a Buick as soon as he could afford one and nearly never drove anything else. I”ve told the story here before how in the 70’s he became rich by making his own parts for one of Buicks and writing to the head of Buick Division about it.
But after he became rich he strayed once. In 1984 he showed up at my parent’s house in a brand new Cadillac. He hated it. The next time I saw him, late summer of 84, he already had replaced it with a brand new Buick.
A remarkable man and I still miss him. If he saw the crapola that China’s version of “Buick” poops out he would be sick.
My Aunt Gwen had a 54 Century Riviera manual for years. Robin’s egg blue with a dark blue roof and dark blue leather interior. Car was a brick s-house. Indestructible until youngest daughter tried to climb a utility pole in 1963. Miraculously walked away unscathed. My Dad bought a 55 Century Riv 4 door Dynaflow used back in early 60s for Mom, but it didn’t have power steering so she never drove it. Was the family backup car. He sold ot a year before I was old enough to drive. Still saw that ride tooling around almost 25 years later.