1997 Buick Riviera SPACE SHIP 83k Miles By Specialty Motor Cars 3800 V6 

The dash was designed to resemble the dash in the 1963 Riviera. And that wood is actually factory, and it is real; the '95 didn't have any wood at all. These cars could also be ordered with a split-bench seat and column-shift. The bench seat cars came standard with velour cloth. These were truly excellent cars that would run well past 300,000 miles.

So many great cars from the 90s and early 2000s

I have owned 3 1996 SC versions of these. What they REALLY need is a new plastic upper intake plenum, upper and lower intake gaskets, except the Supercharged versions already have an aluminum upper plenum, so only new gaskets are needed and they ALL need metal coolant elbows.

Deep plush carpets made for super quiet interior with no highway noise.

The S/C ones were really special. Honestly, this cars run is really something. It's been a stylistic and technological beauty since its inception. Even downsized with the green touch screen in 86.

I have always loved the styling of Rivieras and Auroras of this era. This one is unique in color - especially the interior. Try finding carpet mats in THAT color! I am SO tempted…..😇😈

I love these...had one back in the day and it was wonderful.

The engine is bulletproof - the best engine ever built by GM. Great car; a great price. Daily driver potential

Love Riviera's ❤❤❤❤❤

I like it Papa Bear, one of my favorites. feel better 👍 I always liked all of the Rivieras.

This R car brings back so many memories.

That vehicle is absolutely stunning! I’ve always loved the Buick Rivera from this generation. Very unique and sporty looking. Buick toned it down from the earlier “rocket ship” model of the early 80’s(?). Reminds of the last generation Lincoln Mark VIII.

I own a 1996 Riv S/C totally custom made by my self taste. Love the car! Bill Potter masterpiece!!! GM most daring car execution ever from Buick! I did a lot interior custom rebuild took me more than 8 years to build it!

The biggest fail on this era Riv is front side lights, next to headlights, they yellow. This Riv, they're pretty good. Garaged all it's life. You are right this Riv model was sort of concept since 97 Park Aves had the same sharp edge fenders and quarters. I also called them spaceship too. Original owners thought dash was too plain, hence the "wood" application.

I hope you get better soon Anthony. I hope your dad gets well soon too. I did not know those states will not do cars that old to register them. I guess I should consider myself lucky to live in Texas driving two 1990's Oldsmobiles. I recall the Riviera of this generation I sat in one at the dealership. You clearly seen the lineage between this car and the Oldsmobile Aurora 1995-1999. The only draw back was the instrumentation panel looked dated. I know they were capture the look of the 1963-1965 Buick Riviera. The coupe market was indeed in the decline. I have seen this car with a front bench seats and cloth interiors as well. There was something missing on the interior and I cannot put my finger on it. I know this competed against the :Lincoln Mark VIII at the time which looked similar to this car. The one good thing about this car is what was under the hood( GM 3800 V6). It was made to look like concept car on purpose. The concept car that inspired this car was the Buick Lucerne concept car. Please feel free to go look it up. This car was wider and longer than the 1979-1985 and the 1986-1993 Riviera. It has a bigger trunk also. That license plate thing was a Buick thing that dates back to 1985-1986 model year. Thank you Anthony.

This is a Bill Porter design. He switched from Pontiac where I believe he did the Smokey and the Bandit other cars… He was chief designer for the 85 Electra 86 LeSabre 88 Regal 91 Park Avenue … Wayne Kady switched from Cadillac and did the Roadmaster simultaneously so Porter could do the 92 LeSabre. This car was one of his career highlighting cars and GM wanted this car to be special, and it intentionally set the design theme for Buick thru say 05. There’s documentaries online about this car. It was “sister” to the Aurora

Psa: Just remember to turn off the radio to lower the antenna before entering the car wash.

This gen Riviera or Aurora is like driving a car machined out of a single piece of metal, like driving a tube. The Aurora body was tested on a stress jig made for cars made to test its rigidity and breaking point. IT BROKE THE MACHINE. They had to put it on a truck rig to get the body integrity to fail. The resonance frequency is 25hz, which also contributes to its quietness. Most cars back in the day had lower resonance frequencies. The 1999 Park Avenue benefitted from the Aurora and Riviera body technology.

for the win: anthony and the radio control knob!!! love it!

I'm glad you are feeling better. Tell Papa Bear I hope he feels better soon. Great job on saving this one Ant.

I had the twin to this car. Bought it new and it was a fantastic car.

I've loved Riviera's since they came out in "63. With the exception of the early little jellybean shaped miniRivies of the 90's! This would make a good daily driver!!!

Finally! A fair price.

Love the design of this car. Looks very space agey and the it looks like it gets thinner in towards the back. Great video Anthony!

Analog Dash. YES!!!!

These were really nice cars, sold them new. Really quiet inside.

I'm partial to the eggshell white ones but this blue is really pretty.

The cool part about the light jadestone was, it was a chameleon paint. It looked green in one light and purple in another light

My Dad drove 60s and 70s Park Avenues, Electra 225s and Rivieras when they were new. He always talked about how great those cars ran on the highway. Bygone era for sure, but I'll bet there were garages in the 90s with both a Park Avenue and one of these inside. Always nice to have 'choices.'

I’ve always been smitten with this generation Riviera. Also, the tried and true 3800 is arguably one of the best, most reliable engines ever produced

Thanks for clearing that up! That was my first thought! ( Flying Wheels)😂

Wicked Cool Novelty Car Anthony, NOBODY has these any more so how Cool to have it. Awesome. Hi Papa, Hope you feeling better Sir...? Please take care....

Auroras only had "Oldsmobile" on the radio. I have had 4 1998-99 Auroras with the Autobahn package. LOVED them. Their suspension a bit firmer than these Rivs. It has the smaller 4.0 Northstar. A bit more powerful than the Supercharged 3800. I have had two other Northstars a Deville and a Eldorado ETC. Never had the headbolt problem, but oh yeah, oil leaks! If not for pushing my luck with Northstars, I'd have another Aurora.

My '98 Riviera was one of the best cars I have owned. Sure, the white paint was falling off, but what white General Motors cars did not lose their paint? I had to replace the starter, but this car sat in a field in S.Louisiana for several months, simply because the owner didn't need to drive it. And the fuel level sending unit was bad, but hey, it was a great car! But, I needed a truck, and sold it for what I had in it plus. I went on many long distance trips in that car with zero issues. Comfortable and quiet. Plenty of power, what with the supercharger. Fuel mileage was good, as long as I didn't run it hard. GM only made about 2500 of the '98 and quit making them in '99.

A real winner Anthony! 🎉 I love it and always wanted one! The price is good considering the car’s history, age, and mileage. And the price is good compared to the high price of new cars! I wish I was in need of another car.

Nice car Always liked this design✅

Ignition control module ( silver pancake under coil with huge connector) was the common defective part for the 3800 but overall but it was a few screws and a 100 bucks. Can convert rear air struts to coil springs real quickly if desired

The bladed fenders on this Riviera are very much like the bladed fenders on the Park Avenue you had last month.

I always loved this model Rivera. I always wanted one but it was never the right time.

Had one that was supercharged and was a lot of fun to drive in LA. However the roof was low with the sunroof so I sold it.

Yeah that series 2 needs an aluminum intake. Series 3 will last longer because they have the aluminum intake and some other changes.

Jadestone is a great color. On my computer screen it looks to be light Adriatic Blue.

I would call this MORE than a mid-optioned Riviera. It as the Prestige package after all. As far as I can see, the only options it does not have are: Supercharger, Chrome wheels (which were not even standard on the Supercharged cars, but an option for any Riviera), in trunk CD changer and engine block heater, I believe the white diamond metallic paint was an extra cost option as well.

Saw a cherry 1985 fleetwood brougham chocolate brown with original tires had to be

WOw I remember thos Riviera's, they were always nice and classy cars, and that is another beauty!

Interior of this Riveria reminds me of the Oldsmobile Aurora of the same year ..

Looks factory fresh brand new.

Yes that is a CD holder. That space was for the slave CD player in 1995. And in 1996 that space was for cassette holders.

Great car for a daily commuter.. that 3800 is bullet proof.. nice find

I am MOST DEFINITELY INTERESTED

Don't you hate it when the guy in front of you does not accelerate to at least MATCH the speed of traffic as he merges on the freeway? I go faster than the traffic as I merge; it makes it easier to drop in the flow of traffic. Of course in OKC they STOP at the end of the on ramp!

99, they also had a Silver Arrow package. I also remember seeing that on the rack at the LA Auto Show here in SoCal.

Wow so many great cars from the 90s😊

The R Car? I like that. Your daughter came up with a cool nickname. And I hope Papa Bear feels better soon.

Well priced from what I see. Wish you were in California and you would have a sale.

I had the Aurora w? Northstar...loved it...got totaled in Ice storm accident...love this...same color combo

Very good price... won't last long!

Always beautiful cars

Very nice 💯 Keep doing what you do Bro, great videos. You have my full support..Much love to you and Papa Bear💯💯💯💯

This was my first car. Same exact year and color.

Nice job on this one. Wishing you and Papa Bear get well soon!

The legendary 3.8 V6 makes up for the whole salvage title issue. It blows my mind that some states don't have titles for cars over twenty-five years old! NJ here

That 3800 3.8 Is die hard engine.

I hope Papa Bear is doing well hopefully he gets over the Bug.

Wow!

Yeah, before I even watched your video and I saw the car. I went back to flying wheels video to see if it was the same year and mileage.

I had the same crazing on my Ruby Red 96 Riv. MOST of these 1995-99 Rivieras and Auroras here in the desert have all the clear coat peeling off For some reason these models did not have the best paint.

Hi Anthony, over the course of the last week I have 2-3 voicemails, multiple text messages as well as email correspondence and a question on this post. While I certainly understand being busy, as am I. Nonetheless I would appreciate the courtesy of a response. Thank you.

Had a 96 Riv with the Buick Supercharged 3.8 fully loaded with the prestige package and gold package drove it daily tell 2016. Traded it in on a new 16 Ram. The Riv used to cost about 70 dollars a week to fill here in CA. The car ran low 15s at Pomona drag strip here in SoCal.

I remember whan this came out, I called it the Photon Torpedo 🤣

Chick magnet for sure...great price Anthony, I should have some funds saved for something like this by the end of this Fall...really want a Buick Roadmaster, can you find a nice one for me?!?!

I love it.

It got best body for 95 bmw 850i and 95 elderodo

Such a shame that this era of time didn't have cupholders. The rinky dinky cup holder bracket that pops out of armrest some cars had don't count in my opinion like my 1991 Buick Park Ave back in the day....

Really cool looking car. Love a coupe!

All 4 windows work. *commences to lower the windshield 😂🤣

These are nice

Your Canadians will be very chipper in the backseat.

Great first car for someone

First thought was this came from Flying Wheels 😂

One year only front end suspension components.

Love watching these videos,always like Lincoln town cars live in UK so would be 2 big for my drive.

Great car. If I live in a state that requires a title, will the Connecticut registration allow a state to issue plates and registration? I understand the information that the actual title may be clean or may be a rebuilt title. At the present time, Is the car considered to be a reconstructed/rebuilt car? I'm just worried about plates and insurance. It's a lovely car, but I don't need just another couch in the garage - lol. Thoughts?

My 89 Rivi had the license plate feature.

2012 Buick Regal Turbo with a 6 speed manual is very interesting as well. I'm looking for the right one.

Sounds like a Rivet

great looking Riv!!!!!

Clean, too bad it's not the supercharged version.

The wood is factory

You wouldn't sell it Anthony if it was a RotBox.

Beautiful car.

Do you still have it

had one of those in the family. lasted 312k. trans died and car was junked.

Grammar: There are no degrees of uniqueness.

Maybe it came from the fire under that wheel well?????

Anthony I love your channel. However, Buick lost me on the Riviera with the 1986 forward model years, unfortunately.

Big Al must’ve sailed away on a sailboat

Whoever put the right side Riviera emblem was off by a long shot. too, high, not straight and the tail of the R should slide under the iviera.

So Smooth ❤ ITTTTTT

I do not understand why the personal luxury coupes and sport coupes fell out of favor. People are not having many kids anymore. I guess they need SUVs and Crossovers to haul their stinky dogs around everywhere. For me the extinct since the 70s two door hardtops are my favorite body style. But now even the coupes are so few. Even sedans are hard to come by.