5k: Drive With Your Blinker On; 1997 Buick Riviera Coupe, Supercharged

The turn signal was first introduced to the public in 1938 in a Buick and described as a “Flash-way directional signal.”  A few years later Buick added a self canceling feature to the signal stalk and by the 1950s most US states required functioning turn signals on all new cars.  It is ironic that Buick introduced the turn signal as most often the offenders of DWS (Driving While Signaling…for miles in a straight line) are Buick drivers…typically those who were…ahem…alive when the first signals were introduced.  Drive really slow in the fast lane with your turn signal on with this 1997 Buick Riviera Coupe, equipped with supercharged V6 and for sale in Huntingdon Valley, PA and currently bidding for $1,525 via ebay.

The Buick Riviera started life many years ago as a handsome and
successful pillarless hardtop coupe from GM.  It made the switch from
rear to front wheel drive early for a full sized coupe and lasted until
its 8th generation (1999) before being sent to the glue factory for
good.

The 8th generation Riviera is powered by a supercharged
version of GM’s legendary 3800 pushrod V6 – diplacing 3.8 liters and
cast in iron, the Buick version was labeled L67 and uses an Eaton Gen
III M90 roots supercharger to increase the NA 205 horsepower up to 225
horsepower…dissapointing on paper, but the additional 50 ft-lbs of
torque at low RPM creates the noticeable result of front wheel peel.

Inside the Buick
was starting to show the designers understanding that most buyers were
minutes away from being declared legally incapacitated, and the resulting
melange of wide leather seats, GM parts bin switches and random wood accent trim looks at best –
an afterthought.  It is as if the designers had a meeting and someone
said “Hey, the people buying this car can barely find their shoes in the
morning, so let’s skip this meeting and get some lunch.  The intern can
stay and figure everything out.”

It isn’t that the Riviera was an objectionable looking car in the last few years of its life, it was just
so thoroughly designed by committee and totally lacking anything
remarkable that we are glad the Riviera was finally canceled.  However, if you want an extremely inexpensive front drive luxury coupe with low miles and a supercharged low-stressed GM V6…you could do a lot worse.

See another slow boat with a cane storage slot? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com