1989 Buick Riviera NA review from North America

A/C, Suspension, Seat belt.

This car is a pair of Lazy Boys on wheels. Seriously sexy shark-mobile ages ahead of it's time. Respectable pickup and terrific handling for a vehicle of this weight. It's all about style and class done subtle. My mother-in-law gave me this car. It was destined for the junkyard but we couldn't let it happen. It had been sitting outside for quite some time and as a result the paint and the interior suffered badly. I put a couple thousand dollars into it and all of a sudden she became " Pimp-mobile... The Riviera of Love".But alas ,our love was not meant to burn eternal. After three passionate years the front end had given out and the interior roof fabric was held in place with toothpicks. I realized it would take a five thousand dollar bill to repair these

deficiencies in addition to the AC and gas tank.

As a family man with two small children and a small Saturn soon due off lease I sadly accepted the fact it was time to enter the world of the mini-van. While lamenting over my woeful situation over a pint a long time customer and valued friend asked what I thought the Riv was worth. I said five hundred dollars maybe. Matthew replied that he absolutley loved the car

an idea came to mind. I ventured that I would be

willing to sell the car for one dollar if he would give me a gentleman's promise he would restore her properly.

Fast forward three month's and he's almost done it! New interior , front end ,gas tank, AC and seat belts. Now she was almost pristine. Matthew figured he would wait until spring for a paint job. The paint was still almost perfect three years after I had it splashed,with the exception of the gas tank area on the drivers side where some bubbling had begun.

Next time I hear of the Riv there has been an accident ! Matthew had been in the pub for a quick pint after work and when he got to the car it had been side-swiped on Yonge Street. Then he saw it! A note! And better yet, the Holy Grail of notes. The Riv had been hit by a Toronto Hydro truck. After some minor insurance company

jostling an agreement was reached and behold....

my ride had been fully pimped!(OK... so I'm living vicariously..I drive a Tercel now.)

I saw the Riv today and it looks spectacular. Matthew has promised to take my mother-in-law Gail and I for a warm air, spring nite cruise when ,the nice weather returns. I told him I'll try and wait that long, but if you are walking up your driveway late one night after an evening at the pub and have the distinct impression something is missing...don't panic. It's just Gail and I. We still have our keys. She'll be back in the morning. Sleep well brother.