I'm starting to feel out the prices on what these can fetch. I know it is a somewhat vague question, but as you guys fill me in I know I can get more specific. I'm not really so much asking how much I could get for mine, but I want to see what they are going for so I can guess on the price range mine would go for. How desireable are they among the different 57's?
You don't see many Supers around, mostly Specials, Centurys and some Roadmasters. There are a couple really nice ones on ebay right now. The convertibles are gorgeous and pricey. Also the 57s are very hard and expensive to restore, lots of chrome. I'd check ebay for rough idea of prices, Supers probably bring less than the others from what I've seen.
Don't know for sure why, like I said, they are rarer and cost more when new. Maybe because they are usually 4 doors. You just don't see many so hard to compare.
Super Riviera's are 2-doors. There are other Super models (heh) that have 4 doors, but Super Rivieras are solely 2-doors to my knowledge. Wouldn't rarity increase the value of one?
Since it's a 2 door I'd say it would be equal to Specials and Centurys in value, if condition is equal. Rarity in my opinion doesn't matter much in this class of cars.
I know rarity and desireablility are two different things, but don't you think rarity would increase a car's value?
Why don't you get ahold of a Copy or 3 of Hemmings Motor News and look them up. Should point you in the right direction!:TU: Robert1
Just my perspective, The Century was appointed a little nicer than the Special, note the four portholes vs three on the Special. The Century Caballero was carpeted on the cargo deck whereas the Special Estate Wagon had linolium similar to the Chevy Nomad. The Roadmaster was the top of the line and came with features standard that were optional to the other models including the Super. Most of these features were optional at extra cost. I have a Super Riveria (2 Door) awaiting my attention. It had the optional A/C and the hooded fender mirrors and tinted glass. I paid 5K for the car last year. A nice two door should sell for 10K or more. Caballero3
Yep. to my knowledge the hierarchy is like so: (1 being the lowest) 1. Special 2. Century 3. Super 4. Roadmaster of the Supers, it goes like this: SUPER---SERIES 50 (Dynaflow standard) (53) 4-Door 6-Passenger Riviera Sedan (56C) 2-Door 6-Passenger Convertible Coupe (56R) 2-Door 6-Passenger Riviera I have a 56R model, which to my knowledge is the hottest Super they made.
The Super was the lesser model to the Roadmaster, - it would have the same body as the Roadie, a slightly longer wheelbase than the Special/Century, more chrome, but it would have the down-rated engine. (However, in '57-'58 the only engine was the 364 with a 4 bbl.) Why Buick did this, I have no idea; - I guess people wanted the Roadie sized car but didn't want the bigger engine. In terms of the "Triple-nickel" cars, (55-57), the Buick unfortunately comes out last; - because of what some people consider funny styling, it was very conservative compared to what Chrysler was offering, and the newly restyled Ford of the day was giving the Chev a run for it's money. It's biggest flaw was the split rear window, which everyone hated at the time, but Buick's president loved. Personally, I think the '57 looks better than the '58. The '57 was also the first year for a ball-joint suspension, and it had a combination oil/vacuum pump, - all of these parts are very difficult to find now. The name "Riviera" was given to all Buick hardtops, 2 and 4 door. Looking at some old price guides I have here it would appear that the Super would go for about 30-40 % less than a comparable Chevy, -depending on condition of course. Overall sales of the '57 Buick weren't that hot, way down from 56; - so there aren't that many of them left. I haven't seen too many of them fixed up; - in fact the last one I saw was pretty tired looking. I know that about 20 years ago it was practically impossible to get front end parts for these cars, and that's when they all disappeared up here in Canada. If I came across a nice one, - I'd probably pick it up...
According to Old Car Price Guide, a '57 Super Riv in #4 condition should bring $6600 and in #3 condition should bring $14850. In the past I've found OCPG to be fairly accurate and to be in the general ball park. If you want the other condition prices, just ask. And just FYI, they rate the 2dr Century exactly the same as the 2dr Super.
My '57 doesn't have a split rear window. It has the Cadillac roof line... with the rear window that wraps around.
Yup; - that's because on the Roadmaster and Super bodies the dividers on the rear window come apart easily and -voila! one piece window. The Special/Century line actually had the divider pieces molded into the body. I've got some factory photos kicking around here and I'll try to figure out how to download them if you want the proof...
The 4 dr hardtop (which makes it a Riviera) model year 1957 Super (Series 53 / Body style 57-4539) is also a Riviera.
After looking it up in my chassis service manual I discovered this. I was simply too lazy to go back and edit my earlier post. I'm talking about a Series 56R.
Yes all Hardtops in 1957 (and for several years!) were called Rivieras{like Chevy used the term "sport"...sport coupe and sport sedan] In my personal opinion the '57 Super 2-door hardtop was the best looking of all the models that year. No chrome running across the rear window,deck and roof, chrome louvers on the rear quarters instead of a chevron[check-mark] (2-door Super Rivieras only [including convertibles](four -doors had chevrons) {All Roadmasters had chevrons I think!} ) Ok I am probably all wrong,may have had too many :beer tonight!
Are the windshields for the special/century series compatible with the super/roadmaster? A buddy of mine is looking for a windshield and I found him a 4 door super (hardtop) I can get for parts. Thanks
the super/roadmaster windshield is too narrow for the special and century,don aka buford owner from ct
