430 cubic inch V8, TH400 automatic, loaded with options. Great color combination with older repaint. Beautiful Parchment interior with bucket seats and the coolest shifter you’ll ever see. Powerful, smooth gentlemen’s muscle car.

Buick stylists had their hands full when it was time to replace the ground-breaking first-generation Riviera in 1966. Fortunately, they nailed it with an all-new design that carried the Riv through the end of the ‘60s with a clean, modern shape that was both muscular and elegant. By the time this 1969 Riviera was built, the horsepower wars were in full swing and Buick kept the GS badges on their top-of-the-line Riv just in case some grownups wanted to get in on the fun, too. Buick experts will quickly glance at the cowl tag and see that this one was originally code E Twilight Blue, but at some point in the not-too-distant past it was repainted Signal Red and we think it’s all the better for it. The paint job was clearly a full disassembly job, because there’s no trace of the original blue paint in the nooks and crannies and the sheetmetal underneath is in great condition. You can see that those big doors and quarters are quite straight and someone added a white pinstripe on the flanks to accentuate the body lines. The white vinyl top may just be original and it’s still in fine shape with no signs of trouble underneath. It also sports nice original chrome and stainless trim, correct ‘Riviera GS’ emblems, and good glass all around. Oh, and the headlights work properly, although the right side tends to droop a little bit after the engine is shut off.

The lovely code 664 Parchment vinyl interior appears to be largely original and in fantastic condition. Buckets and a center console were standard equipment on the GS and the shifter for the TH400 3-speed automatic transmission is one of the coolest ever designed. Black carpets anchor the interior and are surely newer than 1969 simply because they’re in excellent shape, a condition helped by a set of heavy-duty Buick-logo rubber floor mats. Gauge markings are bright and crisp with some reasonably realistic faux wood trim for an upscale feel. Options include power windows, A/C (functional but needs a recharge), an unusual rear defroster, and an AM/FM radio in the center of the dash. It’s worth noting that the door panels and headliner are really nice, which is unusual for a GM car of this vintage, and the back seat area looks especially well-preserved. The trunk is correctly outfitted in factory mouse fur upholstery and includes a full jack assembly in the quarter panel and spare tire underneath.

The only engine available in the 1969 Riviera was a 430 cubic inch V8 that replaced the venerable Nailhead in 1967. It’s rated at a rather stout 370 horsepower and 510 lb-ft. of torque, enough to make the heavy, luxurious Riv feel light on its feet. There’s a big 4-barrel carburetor on top (the chrome air cleaner lid was part of the GS package) and with bright Dante Red paint on the block, it’s easy to identify this as a Buick powerplant. There’s plenty of evidence of recent work, including fresh plugs and wires, new belts and hoses, and a few other details designed to keep the Riv healthy. It starts easily, idles nicely with a muted V8 burble out back, and pulls the big coupe around with vigor—horsepower was the name of the game in 1969, after all. The only transmission was GM’s tough TH400 3-speed automatic, which is still the most durable autobox ever built. The GS got 3.42 gears on a limited slip out back, so acceleration is brisk if not electrifying (it weighs 4500 pounds, after all), and it feels competent and eager on the street. The undercarriage is original and unrestored, but this car appears to have spent its life down south so critical rot, holes in the floor, and rocker issues are non-existent. Power steering was standard and this car carries Buick’s massive finned aluminum drums up front, so stopping power is more than adequate. 15-inch chrome Buick Road Wheels are the right choice here and they’re fitted with relatively recent 235/75/15 whitewall radials all around.

Documentation includes the original owner’s manual.

The second-generation Rivieras have lived in the shadow of their older siblings for too long, and it’s time to take a closer look at cars like this second-generation GS. Smooth, polished, and luxurious, it’s one of the great personal luxury coupes of the era and still delivers the kind of performance that puts a smile on your face. Better yet, they’re still uncommon enough that you’re likely to have the only one at almost any show you attend. A cool coupe with plenty of muscle and eyeball appeal for not a lot of cash. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.