West Coast Classics are proud to present a very striking example of this customized 1955 Buick 2 door 6 passenger Special Riviera 2 Door Hardtop with a custom 502 c.i. Ram Jet V8 engine matched to a TH400 3 speed automatic transmission and a Currie 9" rear end in a very attractive 'Blue & White' color paint with a striking 'Blue & White' vinyl interior, full floor covering, 'Sweepspear' stainless bodyside trim, front and rear bumper guards, 3 Ventiports on front fenders and with original electric Buick clock!
The car has options and upgrades including the following:
502 c.i. Ram Jet V8
TH400 3 Speed Automatic Transmission
Currie 9 inch Rear Axle
16" Steel Wheels with Chrome Hubcaps
Coilover suspension
Power Disc Brakes
Quik Wire Wiring Harness
Air Conditioning
Custom Sudio System
Alpine AM/FM/CD Stereo
Autometer Instrumentation
Dual Exhaust System
Fuel Injection System
Electronic Ignition
Powermaster Alternator
Tubular Headers
The car was modified under previous ownership with work consisting of stripping and refinishing the body, installing the engine, transmission, and rear axle, and modifying the suspension. Features include a driver-side mirror, a Buick hood ornament, chrome bumpers and trim, vertical taillamps, reverse lamps, and a dual-outlet exhaust that exits below the rear bumper. The 16 body-colored steel wheels wear factory-style chrome covers and are mounted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A whitewall tires. The car is equipped with a coilover suspension and power steering. Braking is handled by power-assisted discs at all four corners. The cabin features front and rear bench seats reupholstered in Blue vinyl with channeled White inserts joined by a matching dashboard, door panels, and carpets. Features include a center-mounted electric clock, air conditioning, power windows with crank-controlled switches, a custom audio system with a trunk-mounted amplifier, a Kwik Wire wiring harness, and an Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo.
The GM Performance 502 Ram Jet crate engine features a fuel-injection system, high-rise intake, PowerMaster alternator, a K&N air filter, electronic ignition, tubular headers, and black-finished valve covers. A fluid service was performed in preparation for sale.
The Buick Special / Century / & Super was one of Harley Earl's personal favorite designs. Buick's ad campaign pointed out that the car was 'Super ... and that means superior in every respect,' and was it ever. The return of Buick's pre-war 'factory hot rod' with a sweeping side body line, strong face, and jet-age tail embodied everything that made the Mid-50's GMs the pinnacle of American car design. The Super was a true high-performance car combining Roadmaster power with about half having three speed manual transmissions and the other half were equipped with Buick's improved and more efficient Twin Turbine Dynaflow drive. The Super could go 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 17.5 seconds, the sizzling Super with 200HP was not only fast off the line but they were also genuine 100mph cruisers. A 1955 Century hit 110 mph the Flying Mile competition at Daytona SpeedWeeks and in 1955 Buick took the only two wins in NASCAR Grand National stock car racing that it would see for many years.
The 1954/55 Buick 50 Super Riviera was built on the larger Buick platform available for the year as was the Roadmaster and was powered by the same division's largest engine, the Roadmaster 322 c.i.d. It is noteworthy that the smaller platform of the same generation Buick Century, combined even lighter weight with the same high horsepower 322 c.i.d. engine, and was appreciated by law enforcement agencies, many of whom used them for patrolling freeways and turnpikes across the nation where they were well suited for high speed pursuits. The California Highway Patrol later placed a huge fleet order for Century 2-door sedans. This body style was not available to the general public and was a special order only. The Century 2-door sedan combined the Special 2-door sedan body shell with Century power-train and trim. In the popular TV series 'Highway Patrol', Broderick Crawford was shown driving a 2-door Century sedan during the first season.
This particular now very rare and desirable 'Special Riviera 2 Door Hardtop' example is in very fine condition throughout with a very straight body with the floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas solid and the car has no signs of any accidents. The car has a very striking repaint in a 'Blue & White' two-tone color and the interior has been virtually completely redone in a very striking matching 'Blue & White' interior which is very handsome and the car has all new chrome.
This is a rare opportunity to own a great daily driving example of a beautifully restored and very striking and customized 1955 Buick Special Riviera 2 door Hardtop in very fine daily driving and looking condition throughout and a turn-key ready example for any classic American car enthusiast to enjoy or collect today!
