1955 Buick Super Riviera Hardtop for sale

 

 

 

We are offering our 1955 Buick Super Riviera Hardtop for sale. This is not a concourse restoration, but a super clean mild custom driver. We understand that we're the 3rd owner of this Buick, which was originally manufactured in southern California and sold in San Diego in 1955- so it's never left the region as far as we know. I am only selling the car to fund my next project. I would prefer for the buyer to come inspect the car before negotiating a deal. Title is clear and in-hand.

The car is 100% rust free. The body and paint was done about 6 years ago by a very reputable custom shop in Riverside, Ca. and presents very well- it is laser straight. The car is driven, so the paint is no longer perfect, but probably an 8.9/10. Mild body mods include shaved door handles, mirrors smoothed, smoothed gas-fill door (gas fill in trunk), emblems removed, hood smoothed and headlights frenched. The upholstery was completely done immediately after paint including carpet, headliner, seats, visors, door panels etc. and is in excellent condition with only a few minor blems. 
All the glass, rubber, channels, felts etc. was replaced brand new when painted. Every piece of rubber and glass is new. The back glass suffered a hairline crack a couple of years ago and I have not replaced it yet- this is factored into the asking price. All the door glass and vent glass frames were re-chromed at time of body and paint, so they all look better than new. All door glass and quarter glass cranks are new. 

Tires are brand new coker radials with alignment pending as of 1/29/19.

All the chrome bumpers, grill, taillights, and stainless brightwork were professionally straightened and re-plated or polished so present better than new. Since then, a portion of the chrome on the rear bumper has flaked off and I have not re-plated it yet- this is also factored into the asking price. 
The car is powered by the original 322 Nailhead, which was completely rebuilt at time of build. The motor got machining, new pistons, rings, bearings etc. A lopey cam by TA Performance, modern carburation, modern ignition by Pertronix, new fuel pump, high-output fan, complete valve job with later model rockers and modern valve seals on exhaust and intake valves. The motor sports original true-dual exhaust manifolds, which we optional in 1956. Small flowmasters and dual 2.25" exhaust. The generator was replaced with high-output alternator. We put a custom aluminum radiator in the car- It will sit in traffic for 12 hours and never get hotter than 180 degrees. The fuel tank was removed, treated and sealed. Behind the Nailhead is a 700R4 transmission, which was completely rebuilt with all the good soft and hardparts at time of build. The modern transmission is mated to the Nailhead with an adaptor by Bendtsons. There is probably about 3,500 miles on the motor and transmission. There is a Camaro rear-end in the car, with a triangulated 4-link rear suspension with air bags. The front sports original control arms with lowered spindles by Fatman and air bags. The car lays frame when aired down, but rides great at ride-height. Dual compressors and a 12 gal line in the trunk, which has not been upholstered yet. The air tank should probably be replaced with an 8 gal tank IMO. The car has back and yellow plates. The stock brake master cylinder was rebuilt by Karps in Ontario and the car stops well. 

I have a new aftermarket below-dash air conditioning unit and new condenser for the car as well. Just add a compressor and hoses and you can have air conditioning if interested. I also have a set of super rare Foxcraft fender skirts for the car- they were body worked and painted with the car, just never installed- they have new seals on them. 

I am sure I am forgetting many things that are done, but there is also a list of things are not done yet or need to be addressed- which are all factored into the asking price. The underseat heater is not hooked up, nor have I attempted to get all the dash features going like defroster, fans, clock, blinkers, etc. The windshield wipers were removed but the motor is still on the fire wall. The dome light is new, but not installed yet. I put new emergency brake cables by Lokar at the rear drums, but have not connected the parking brake cable at pedal yet. Trunk needs carpet. Rear bumper should be re-plated. Rear glass should be replaced. Power seat not hooked up. Mooneyes tachometer not wired yet, but is mounted on steering column. The other Mooneyes gauges for oil pressure, temperature and voltage are functional and lighted. One may also consider the installation of door and trunk poppers, which are included in sale- but not installed. The speedo cable is new but is making a clicking noise- so needs to be explored and remedied. 
Car needs some tinkering and some TLC , but asking price is fair at $31,000, as-is, where-is- no warranties expressed or implied.