Alien Airbox: 1967 Buick Riviera GS – Sold?

February 17, 2023, Update – We confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride is “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Look under the hood of most modern cars, and you’ll find a host of plastic trim pieces designed to make the engine look cleaner while providing some sound deadening.  One might think such engine styling is a modern marvel. However, Buick was one of the early innovators in providing a more stylized engine bay in 1967.  Specifically, they offered a special red-painted cast aluminum air cleaner housing on its Grand Sport Skylark and Riviera models for one model year.  These rare air cleaners later earned the nickname “Star Wars” housings for resembling the Millenial Falcon.

This survivor-quality 1967 Buick Riviera Grand Sport, last listed in January 2023 on Craigslist near Atlanta, Georgia, still features its original air cleaner and many more options on this nicely equipped example.

Last offered for $35,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is slightly below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for Buick Riviera Grand Sports produced between 1966 and 1970.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the Riviera featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $25,500 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $35,550.

The Riviera was redesigned for the 1966 model year.  It retained its cruciform X-frame, powertrain, and brakes, but its curvaceous new body was longer, wider, and 200 pounds (91 kg) heavier. Vent windows, a feature GM had introduced in the 1930s, were absent. Headlamps remained concealed, but now pivoted behind the grille when not used, and they were horizontally arranged once again. The car’s added bulk slowed acceleration with the unchanged 425 engine. The Gran Sport package remained available as an option. Rear seat belts^[19] and AM/FM radio^[20] were optional.

The new front-wheel drive Oldsmobile Toronado shared the Riviera platform, and, a year later, the also front-wheel drive Cadillac Eldorado; however, the Riviera itself retained the rear-wheel drive layout.

Inside, the four-place cabin with front and rear bucket seats and center console were replaced by a choice of bucket seats or conventional bench seats as standard equipment, making the Riviera a full six-passenger car for the first time. Optionally available was a Strato-bench seat with armrest or Strato bucket seats with either a short consolette or a full-length operating console with a “horseshoe” shaped floor shifter and storage compartment. Both the buckets and Strato-bench seat were available with a reclining seat option for the passenger’s side. Sales for 1966 rebounded to 45,308, a new record.

The most significant change for 1967 was Buick’s replacement of its venerable 425 “Nailhead” with an entirely new 430 cu in (7.0 L) V8. Its 360 horsepower (270 kW) and 475 lb⋅ft (644 N⋅m) of torque were a performance improvement. Gasoline mileage improved slightly, but remained low. Powerful disc brakes with Bendix four-piston calipers became optional for the front wheels but most Riviera continued to be ordered with Buick’s highly capable ribbed aluminum brake drums. Cosmetically, changes were few and were limited to the addition of a wide, full-width, center-mounted horizontal chrome grille bar that stretched over the headlight doors and outboard parking lights. Sales eased to 42,799 for the 1967 model year. The Riviera had full instrumentation.^[21]

1967 saw the introduction of U.S. mandated safety equipment to improve occupant protection during a crash, including an energy-absorbing steering column, non-protruding control knobs, 4-way hazard flasher, soft interior surfaces, locking seatbacks (on 2-door models), a dual-circuit hydraulic braking system (with warning light), and shoulder belt anchors. The Rivieras complied on all counts and featured the full range of safety features.

1968 models had reshaped loop-type bumpers that surrounded both the vehicle’s recessed crosshatch front grille and tail lamps. Hidden wiper arms made their debut. Federally mandated side marker lights appeared, as inverted trapezoids on the lower leading edges of the front fenders, and circular in the rear. The interior was restyled and for the first time shared its instrument panel with the other full-size Buick models. Shoulder belts for front outboard occupants were made standard on all cars built from January 1, 1968. Mechanically, the transmission lost its variable pitch torque converter. A tilt steering wheel was standard.^[22] Sales set another new record in 1968, as 49,284 units were sold.

The We Love Old American Iron YouTube Channel features this series of 1966 Buick: The Tuned Car commercials. The spot for the ’66 Riviera GS starts at the thirty-five second mark:

Based upon the excellent pictures and detailed description, this 58K original mile 1967 Buick Riviera GS is a rare, nicely optioned survivor example.

If you are serious about buying this Riviera GS, you can start the conversation by emailing the seller.  When you connect, please remember to mention you saw their survivor Buick featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this 1967 Buick Riviera GS survivor for sale?  Please comment below and let us know!