1985 Buick Riviera

The Buick Riviera, a name that evoked the affluence and allure of the French Riviera, was introduced to the Buick line in 1949, representing the new two-door pillarless hardtop on the Roadmaster model. The first mass-produced of this body style, it would remain in production for the next three decades.

The 1985 edition of the Riviera was the final year for the 'Sixth Generation' of styling, first introduced in 1979. The '6th Gen' was the first year of the front-wheel-drive configuration for the Riviera, and its 114-inch wheelbase was (again) shared with the Oldsmobile Toronado and the Cadillac Eldorado. The previous Buick-built 350 CID V8 and Oldsmobile-built 403 CID V8 were no longer offered, but the Olds 350 CID V8 remained, along with a new turbocharged Buick V6 displacing 231 cubic inches.

The new-for-1979 Buick Riviera was popular, earning Motor Trend's 'Car of the Year' and rewarded with over double the sales of the 1978 Riviera, with 52,181 units sold. Sales would remain fairly consistent throughout its production lifespan, dipping to 44,071 in 1982 but finishing strong in 1985, its highest year of '6th Gen' styling with 65,305 units built. A total of 370,282 units were built from 1979 through 1985.

Compared to the 1978 Riviera, the 1979 '6th Gen' Rivera was over a foot shorter in length and shed approximately 60 pounds of weight (the fifth generation had shed approximately 700 pounds and was 5 inches shorter in length than the fourth generation). The handling and road-holding characteristics were improved thanks in part to the new fully independent suspension front and rear, with torsion bars at the front and leaf springs and stabilizer bar at the rear. It used separate body-and-frame construction, power-assisted recirculating ball steering, and front disc brakes (rear drums; four-wheel power disc brakes were optional). The styling incorporated full-cut wheel openings, sweeping quarter panels, a racked-backed front end, squared-off roofline, quad rectangular headlamps resting above the parking/signal lamps, and a prominent grille with vertical bars that sloped outward slightly. Body styles included the two-door coupe with optional S-Type trim. The S Type came standard with a turbocharged 3.8-liter (231 CID) V6 with four-barrel carburetion (option on the 'base' trim level). S Types were distinguished by the exterior flat black trim around the windows, grille, and rocker panels, and the sport mirrors, Designer's Sport wheel covers, and amber front parking lights. The interiors were updated with a brushed black-trimmed instrument panel, bucket seats with a center storage console, and a sports steering wheel.

In 1981, the 350 CID V8 was dropped and replaced by an Oldsmobile-built 307 CID V8 rated at 140 horsepower. The standard engine was the Buick-built 252 CID V6 with 125 horsepower. 1982 was the first year for the convertible body style on the Riviera, and due to its steep price ($24,000 compared to $14,270 for the coupe) only 1,248 units were built (compared to 4,823 of the coupe). A twin-turbocharged Riviera convertible was selected to pace the 1983 Indianapolis 500. The Riviera celebrated its twentieth year since its introduction, and along with pacing the Indy 500, Buick built 502 examples of the 'Riviera XX.' These special editions wore a unique grille (which then became part of the 1984 model year styling update), rode on wire wheels, and wore a special two-tone exterior paint. The interior was given leather and walnut, along with 24-karat gold plated 'Riviera XX' badging.

The 1985 Buick Riviera
As Buick was gearing up for the next generation of the Buick Riviera, few changes or modifications were made for 1985. Body styles included a coupe and convertible, but very few convertibles were purchased due to their steep price tag. The base engine remained as the 307 cubic-inch V8 offering 140 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. This Oldsmobile-built engine (Vin code H or Y) had a cast-iron block and head, 8.0:1 compression, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a four-barrel carburetor. A diesel V8 and a turbocharged V6 were also available. The 231 CID V6 had sequential fuel injection, a turbocharger, and produced 190 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and 300 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 RPM. The 350 CID V8 diesel engine (Vin code N), built by Oldsmobile, had hydraulic valve lifters, fuel injection, five main bearings, 21.6:1 compression, and 105 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and 200 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM. The T-Type trim levels came standard with the turbocharged engine. Options included a cellular telephone which included a factory-approved dealer option. Other convenience and appearance options included factory chrome steel wheels, an electronic dash, dual power seats, a theft-deterrent system, load-leveling suspension, and more.

A limited-edition Riviera was offered; it added burled walnut veneer on dash and door panels, and beige leather/suede interior trim.

The Riviera T Type two-door coupe was priced at $17,650 in 1985, and a total of 1,069 units were built. The 'base' coupe was priced at $16,700, and 63,836 examples were built along with 400 examples of the convertible with a base price of $26,800.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2018