The 1956 Buick Special Riviera Coupe is a car that teach a valuable lesson : Do n’t block lesser version of a choice collectable .
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In the case of mid- to late-1950s Buicks , collector interest has ordinarily centered on the Century models , which combine the smaller Buick body with the more powerful engines from the bigger Super and Roadmaster serial .
This has leave the less expensive peculiar oblation largely brush off , even though they have exactly the same desirable quality except for maximum order horsepower and , therefore , performance .
But there is a felicitous incentive : the Specials trade for much less than equivalent Centurys on today ’s market , and this prepare them desirable collectibles for those on a more restricted budget .
Price has not been a boastful worry for Tom Lorek of Elmhurst , Illinois , who has invest some $ 7,500-$8,000 to make this 1956 Special Riviera hardtop coupe a three - clock time winner in class at home Buick club meets .
Though some 114,000 of this one mannikin were built , Lorek state find part is more difficult and costly for all junior Buicks , perhaps because more of them have been wrecked over the year than the senior cars .
Two of his main problems were the specific rear bumper for the car ’s dual exhaust and the matching door panels for its clean rare Custom Deluxe upholstery option .
The auto also carries optional " Sonomatic " wireless , galvanizing clock , and full bicycle screening , for which Tom paid $ 90 but has been offered $ 250 .
Finished in authentic Tahiti Coral and Dover White two - tone paint , the car now shows 75,000 total miles .
No , it ’s not for sales agreement . The last offer Tom had for it – and refused – was a coolheaded $ 9,000 .
