1970 Buick Riviera Hardtop
"Every angle and line sums up what you expect Riviera to look like. Because you actually do have a hand in the elegant maker's art. Style wise, you have it your way! When you order your new 1970 Riviera and the many appearance and convenience features available, you put your signature on the final design. It may be a vibrant look that makes sports car senses come alive, or a muted effect that whispers gracious compliments about your takes, or a bold statement of character, uncommonly wide awake. With Riviera to work with, we're sure you'll do it beautifully." From the 1970 Riviera sales brochure.
For consignment, a 1970 Buick Riviera hardtop with a title verified 87,137 actual miles and numbers matching 455ci V8 and automatic transmission on board! This car is an AACA Junior Award winner and is a fine example of a relatively uncommon car. 37,336 Rivieras were built in 1970 but you're lucky if you see one at the local car show.
Exterior
Emerald Mist is a sign of the times when greens and browns were common exterior colors. There's fantastic contrast to the black vinyl top which is augmented by some black paint applied to the side molding and this car combines what the brochure delineates as Riviera 1 with vinyl top and fender skirts, and Riviera 2, with the distinctive side molding. The sleek, sloping rear window leads to a ramp shaped decklid which terminates at a wraparound chrome bumper with embedded horizontal tail lights, over exhaust tips that peek out from underneath. Up front, it's distinctively Buick with dual headlights, crested grille, and smooth, long hood. 15-inch Buick Rallye wheels employ enough black to blend wonderfully with the design of the car and according to our consignor, the tires are newer. The paint, metal work, and panel gaps are fantastic with the only imperfections being some bubbling down low.
Interior
Elegant door panels on this luxury hardtop include faux wood grain accent trim with dark grain that picks up on the black vinyl stitch patterned upper and black carpeted lower, with a touch of metal trim to match the switch plate. In front, black vinyl buckets with a unique pattern perch under a robust head restraint, all in great condition, and copied in style by the back seat. Between the seats, a wood grain console houses a shifter that engages along an arched track, all designed for the driver's purview only. It's unique, elegant, and sporty all at the same time, not to mention an option that had to be ordered at extra cost. A busy instrument cluster contains gauges, lights, switches, and vents in a series of stacked squares and rectangles and for entertainment, there's an AM/FM radio and 8-track player. From the dash pad to the looped carpet below, the interior is in great shape with only hints of patina is some flaking plastic chrome. It's all topped off with the black headliner and shoulder belts clipped in position. The large trunk is fully lined and spotless.
Drivetrain
Under the big hood is the numbers matching 455ci V8 rated at 370 horsepower and wearing a 4-barrel carburetor, clean and retaining its stock presentation. The transmission, a TH400 3-speed automatic, is also numbers matching and sends power to the 10-bolt rear axle and 2.78 gears. Power drum brakes represent the original configuration and are found on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Generally clean underneath, mostly uniformly black with typical patina discoloration in other areas, minimal surface rust, only residual oil, and some build up on the knuckles. The dual exhaust encounters stock style mufflers before exiting to the back while suspension consists of coil springs in front and a 3 link with coil springs and a panhard bar out back.
Drive-Ability
Aside from the unique shifter, it's pure era driven GM inside, perhaps made a bit more luxurious with the faux woodgrain coverage and sporty with the bucket seats. The 455 rings to life and propels this sleek machine with good power and the car track straight and handles well. No complaints here for this streamlined cruiser. The A/C is not working but all other functions operate as they should. We left our Don McLean 8-track tape at home, so that unit was not tested. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
The sales brochure goes on. "Outside, dramatic Riviera coachwork speaks for itself. Inside, excitement heightens. One look promises eminent satisfaction for years to come." While many sale brochures tend to be hyperbolic, we would say this one got it right. This is a unique car and a fantastic example that deserves a loving new owner. If you've read this far and your heart is pounding, you may be in love. Swipe right and make the call!
494870H901552
4-Buick
94-Riviera
87-2 Door Hardtop
0-1970
H-Flint, MI Assy Plant
901522-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 70 49487-1970 Riviera 2 Door Hardtop
BDY EUC019749-Flint Body #
TR 698-Black Vinyl
PNT 46B-Emerald Mist, Black Top
08B-2nd Week August
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
