Hey all, Trying to determine the difference between a 52 Roadmaster and whether or not it is a Riviera. I have no doubts that it is a Roadmaster. I've read a bunch about ways to tell, but, nothing real concrete. So far I have read that the Rivs had more chrome around the window frames, and a two tone dash. Are there any better ways to determine whether the car I am looking at is blessed with the even mightier Riviera option? Vin decoding, or other things hidden in plain sight? Thanks
Roadmaster and Super had same C body style. Roadmaster is longer from the firewall forward to accomodate the 320 straight 8. It's 127" wheelbase versus 122" of the Super. The Special is also 122" wheelbase but on the smaller B body. Super and Special used the same 263 straight 8 in 52. Easiest way to tell the Roadmaster from the Super is the Roadie has 4 portholes on the finders and they have a taller/longer fin in the portholes. The Super's portholes are the same as the Special's and number in at 3 per fender. Riviera body style has no B column at the doors. It's a 2 or 4 door hardtop versus sedan. Looks similiar to windows in a Chevy Bel Air. Riviera (hardtop) was available in 52 Special, Super, and Roadmaster. And yes, the hardtops had more stainless trim around the windows than the sedans do. Easiest way to tell a 51 from a 52 is the number of grille teeth, the side trim, trunk lid shape, and tailfins. However, people liked to mix and match parts on them. The 51/52/53 Special is same body as 51-53 Olds 88. Lots of interchangeability a**** them as well.
I've read the Wikipedia entry on the Buicks. Good stuff, but, not much about telling a Roadmaster Riviera from a Roadmaster. So, are you saying that a Riv is a hardtop while a Roadmaster will be a sedan?
No. in 1951,52, 53, Buick made Specials, Supers, and Roadmasters (plus 1954 forward Centurys) in both sedan and hardtop (riviera) body styles. The term riviera in the 50's meant a 2 or 4 door hardtop, wherein the front door gl*** interfaced with the rear window gl*** with stainless steel trim between them. The sedans had a painted steel B column at the rear of the front doors. The riviera trim package was used by Buick much like Chevy used the term 150, 210, Delray, and Belair. The Century is a body style introduced in 1936. It was a Special body with a longer front clip to accomodate the Roadmaster/Limited 320 straight 8 engine. It was the 1st factory produced hot rod, capable of running a sustained 100 mph. Quite an accomplishment in the day for a factroy production run. Buick reintroduced the Century in 1954, it being discontinued ater WW II, and it used the larger Roadmaster 322 CID v8. The Riviera body style (not trim package) was introduced in 1963. So, in the 50's the riviera was a hardtop - whether it be a Special, Super, or Roadmaster.
Yes. I'm not cognizant of any other trim packages offered by Buick in 1951/52 except accesories offered by the dealerships. There's a Buick section to the AACA forum you might want to seek information on as well. There were some 4 door Supers made with a wing window in the rear door. The 1952 Buick called a 1952 Special Riviera in this link, is actually a 52 Roadmaster Riviera. Note the C body style rear fenders, and 4 portholes on the fenders. http://www.fiftiesweb.com/cars/buick.htm
Just wanted to come back and say a big thanks for your help with this. Sorry I never did. Don't have much of a reward, other than a few photos.....
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