1957 Buick Riviera Special Two-Door Hardtop

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

“There's a great new day of driving ahead when you get behind the wheel of a long, low, road-hugging 1957 Buick.” That claim from Buick’s ’57 brochure came as the automaker — fresh off back-to-back years as No. 3 in sales behind Chevrolet and Ford — introduced new bodies for 1957, with the Special line still on a long and roomy 122-inch wheelbase. Buick’s Dynaflow engine performance was also improved (from 220 horsepower in 1956 to 250 in ’57) with an increase in bore and stroke that grew the V8 from 322 to 364 cubic inches.

With the low, sweeping new lines, and what Buick referred to as “open-air dimensions” that were similar to those of a convertible (including a wider-vision Panoramic windshield), the 1957 Special Riviera Two-Door Hardtop (Model 46R) offered both performance and style. With two tapered lines flowing across the roof to form a three-piece rear window, a variety of paint options, and chrome side trim and louvers, the Riviera was a head turner.

Amazingly, although the Special line started at only $2,596 — a mere $358 more than a Chevrolet Bel Air — Buick succeeded in maintaining its near luxury-brand prestige in the mind of buyers. There’s something “special” about the Special, even today.

Highlights

• Refinished in Shell Beige paint (a shade off from original) over Black Cloth and Ivory Cordaveen upholstery 

• Powered by a 364 cu-in Dynaflow V8 rated at 250 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque 

• Two-speed automatic transmission

• The chassis number (4D1129319) decodes as: 

  • 4 - Special 

  • D – 1957 model year 

  • 1129319 – Production sequence number 

• Three-piece rear window 

• Three-spoke, ivory-colored steering wheel with circle horn 

• Spoked wheels with center Buick badge 

Features

• Two-door, rear-wheel drive coupe 

• Power steering 

• Power brakes 

• Chrome side trim 

• Arm rests 

• Seat belts 

• Manual windows 

• Vent windows

• Instruments: 

  • 120 mph speedometer 

  • Temperature 

  • Oil pressure 

  • Alternator 

  • Fuel level 

• Motorola Transistor-Powered pushbutton AM radio 

• Pioneer Multi-CD system 

• Seat belts front and back 

• Dual sun visors 

• Locking glove box 

• Pull cords on back of fold-down front seats  

• U.S. Royal P225/70R15 wide whitewall tires 

Known Imperfections

• Paint chips up front 

• Paint chips on dash and door wells 

• Rubber on bottom of the doors is worn 

• Light corrosion on underside 

• Smudges on driver’s side rear seat 

• Slight odor from prolonged storage 

• Analog clock does not work 

Included 

• Spare 

• Jack  

• 1957 Buick owner’s manual 

• Pioneer CD manual 

Ownership History

This 1957 Buick Riviera Special Two-Door Hardtop comes from longtime family ownership in Wisconsin. The parents of the consignors (two brothers) purchased the car around 2004, and they believed they were the second or third owners. The Riviera was always garaged, and it was in extended storage prior to the parents passing away, however the consignors say that it "runs and drives well."