1952 Buick Riviera

Sedan

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

67442895

Gasoline

In 1952, in Redwood City, California, my father surprised my mother with this car, brand new, a wedding anniversary present. She drove it until her death in 1979. Then I, the last family member alive, took possession of the car and, with my wife and our two little boys, drove it to our upstate NY home. The car has always been garaged and well maintained, but now I'm 81 years old and unable to give it the kind of care it deserves. It comes with a large library: shop manual, original parts catalogs, etc., and numerous spare parts. In nearby Delhi there was a car junkyard with acres of 1950s cars; the owner let me roam through it with my toolbox and take whatever I wanted. I took home several extra radios, headlights, clocks, carbuerators, too much to mention here--but of course it all goes with the car, including a trophy or two from car shows. What does the Buick need? Recently the gas guage stopped working, and a local repairman told me that I needed a new guage, which I bought and had him install. No luck. Evidently either the gas tank sending unit is stuck or broken, or the wire from the tank to the dash isn't continuous. A few years ago I would have unhooked the tank and lowered it and found the trouble, but that'll be the new owner's job--and that's why I should sell the car. The original radio evidently needs a new vibrator, and I removed the radio but haven't fixed it. This is a very unusual car: never any rust anywhere, never any damage. The car was never driven during winter months, which partially accounts for the low mileage and the lack of rust. Oh, yes: when it was new, the family cat was accidentally shut inside the car and scratched up the upholstery; my father had the dealer install seat covers, which are still there and perfect except for a small cigarette burn my mother left. She would light a cigarette, get into the Buick, bounce across the lawn and sidewalk, and head for the grocery or the bank in her anniversary present. It's all original, with the original papers and everything, and I hope that someone will come and get it and love it and take care of it. Please note: No one has smoked inside or near the car in forty years. There is no lingering cigarette odor whatsoever. If you win the auction, you'll need to drive the car from my home near Oneonta, NY, or arrange transportation. Cash and carry!