Buick Riviera
The Buick Riviera established the personal luxury coupe as GM's answer to the Thunderbird. It's the first-generation (1963-1965) cars, with their iconic Bill Mitchell styling, that are most prized by collectors, especially the powerful Gran Sport models.
Buick Riviera sold for a median of $23,100 over the last 12 months, based on 98 auction sales; the middle 50% sold between $11,000 and $34,563. 2,080 currently for sale.
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Seen across 12 sites in the last 30 days.
Buick Riviera prices by version
| Version | Median sale | Middle 50% | Auction sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera 1st Gen | $29k | $23k–$50k | 37 |
| Riviera 2nd Gen | $20k | $13k–$33k | 19 |
| Riviera 4th-7th Gen | $6.4k | $5.1k–$11k | 18 |
| Riviera Boattail 3rd Gen | $23k | $19k–$28k | 14 |
| Riviera GS 1st Gen | $95k | $86k–$121k | 7 |
| Riviera 8th Gen | $6k | – | 3 |
Auction sales in the last 12 months; prices leave out salvage and other branded titles.
Buick Riviera prices by year
| Year | Median (3 yrs) | Middle 50% | Sales (3 yrs) | For sale now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | $39k | – | 1 | 8 |
| 1963 | $28k | $21k–$33k | 27 | 126 |
| 1964 | $32k | $24k–$49k | 34 | 136 |
| 1965 | $69k | $35k–$99k | 61 | 97 |
| 1966 | $14k | $13k–$44k | 9 | 66 |
| 1967 | $28k | $25k–$33k | 6 | 82 |
| 1968 | $19k | $13k–$31k | 11 | 73 |
| 1969 | $13k | $10k–$20k | 9 | 61 |
| 1970 | $16k | $12k–$18k | 4 | 76 |
| 1971 | $22k | $16k–$24k | 8 | 49 |
| 1972 | $26k | $22k–$33k | 11 | 66 |
| 1973 | $22k | $19k–$27k | 13 | 78 |
| 1974 | – | – | 0 | 9 |
| 1975 | – | – | 0 | 6 |
| 1976 | – | – | 0 | 9 |
| 1977 | $11k | – | 3 | 19 |
| 1978 | $13k | – | 2 | 17 |
| 1979 | $13k | – | 3 | 44 |
| 1980 | $7k | – | 2 | 28 |
| 1981 | $1.1k | – | 1 | 20 |
| 1982 | $24k | $20k–$33k | 7 | 51 |
| 1983 | $12k | $9.8k–$27k | 11 | 84 |
| 1984 | $11k | $7k–$12k | 7 | 97 |
| 1985 | $11k | $9.9k–$15k | 13 | 121 |
| 1986 | $8.6k | – | 2 | 12 |
| 1987 | $6.1k | – | 1 | 7 |
| 1988 | $5.3k | – | 1 | 14 |
| 1989 | $1.1k | – | 1 | 41 |
| 1990 | $7.3k | – | 2 | 40 |
| 1991 | $4.9k | – | 2 | 46 |
| 1992 | $5.9k | $4.5k–$6.8k | 4 | 57 |
| 1993 | $8.3k | – | 1 | 27 |
| 1994 | – | – | 0 | 7 |
| 1995 | $11k | $5.8k–$15k | 4 | 78 |
| 1996 | $11k | – | 2 | 43 |
| 1997 | $6.9k | – | 1 | 73 |
| 1998 | $15k | – | 3 | 60 |
| 1999 | $25k | – | 3 | 24 |
Auction sales in the last 3 years; prices leave out salvage and other branded titles.
Listings
Buick Riviera Submodels
The Buick Riviera debuted in 1963 as General Motors' answer to the Ford Thunderbird, establishing the personal luxury coupe segment. Conceived under the leadership of legendary designer Bill Mitchell, the first generation (1963-1965) is celebrated for its crisp, razor-edged styling. These early cars, especially the performance-oriented Gran Sport models with the 425 cubic-inch V8, are the most sought-after by collectors today.
Later generations offered different appeals, from the dramatic and polarizing "boattail" styling of 1971-1973 to the supercharged front-wheel-drive performance of the final generation in the late 1990s. While the boattail cars have a dedicated following and are appreciating, the first-generation models remain the benchmark for Riviera collectibility. The market reflects this, with top-tier 1965 Gran Sports commanding the highest values.
The market for Rivieras is quite broad. An average sale price around $27,500 shows that many good-quality drivers trade hands regularly, making it an accessible classic. However, exceptional, low-mileage, or perfectly restored examples of desirable years can command prices well into the six figures, indicating a strong top end for the best cars.
Buying Tips
- Check common rust areas like the lower rear quarter panels, trunk floor, and around the front and rear windows.
- On first-generation cars, ensure the hidden headlight doors operate smoothly, as the motors are a known failure point.
- For 1971-1973 "boattail" models, carefully inspect the large, wrap-around rear glass for any cracks or delamination; it's nearly irreplaceable.
- The "Nailhead" V8 engines are robust, but check for signs of overheating and listen for unusual noises, as some internal parts are specific to this engine family.
- Inspect all interior trim and chrome carefully, as many pieces are unique to the Riviera and are very difficult to find.
Prices range from under $600 for projects to $196,000 for concours-quality examples.
4,131 Buick Riviera vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 2,080 currently live.
Data sourced from auction results and dealer and private listings, including Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, Mecum, RM Sotheby’s and eBay Motors. Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Buick Riviera cost?
Over the last 12 months, Buick Riviera sold for a median of $23,100 across 98 auction sales tracked on Hypercars; the middle 50% sold between $11,000 and $34,563. There are 2,080 currently for sale.
How many Buick Riviera listings are for sale right now?
There are 2,080 Buick Riviera listings currently live across auctions, dealers, and marketplaces tracked by Hypercars.