The Great Magazine Comparo

I started out tonight by combing through my set of National Geographics from 1984, hoping to score an time capsule ad for the Riv to show you. No luck, though I found 2 other Buicks presented with that no-so-subtle early '80s practicality: a Century and a Regal.

I also saw a smorgasbord of cars with whitewall tires. I'll bet the Riv left the factory on whitewalls, and as supporting evidence, here are some ads for other Rivs pulled from Hemmings.com's Sept 2008 issue:

Example #1:

This 1984 coupe is in Clearwater, FL for $3,995. No listed mileage, and the other photos show a velour interior and an aftermarket steering wheel. It's also got the external full size spare hanging off the rear bumper...abominable!





Example #2:


This 1983 convertible is in Bristol, CT and listed for $6,600. Claims to have original tires and only 54,000 miles. Tom would say that the '83s are just not the same.





Example #3:



This 1985 coupe has lived in a showroom in Fairmont, IL for a while (because it popped up about 9 months ago when I started thinking about the Riv). It has 145,000 miles -- about the same as Tom's. It's listed at $7,595, and if it had the drop-top and leather, it would match up pretty well. I think Buick started putting Turbo V-6s into the 1985s, but I haven't been able to confirm that.


Examples #4 & 5:

No pictures, but worthwhile comparisons because one is a 1985 convertible in Kentucky with white paint and maroon leather. At 105,000 miles, it's listed at $8,500 obo.
Hemmings also lists a 1983 coupe with 9,000 original miles for $15,000.

My plan is to bring Tom's Riv up to a sales price of about $6,500, using Example #2 as a benchmark. You'll see it here first.