Uncover the Secrets of Buick's 1985 Riviera: A Timeless Masterpiece

The 1985 Riviera was a luxury car produced by Buick. It was the ninth generation of the Riviera and was produced from 1985 to 1993. The 1985 Riviera was a popular car, with over 55,000 units sold in its first year of production.

The 1985 Riviera was available in two trim levels: base and T-Type. The base model came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, while the T-Type came with a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine. Both engines were paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The 1985 Riviera was praised for its stylish design, comfortable interior, and powerful engine. It was also a relatively affordable luxury car, with a base price of just over $15,000.

The 1985 Riviera is a significant car in Buick’s history. It was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout, and it was also the first Riviera to be offered with a turbocharged engine. The 1985 Riviera helped to revive Buick’s image and set the stage for the company’s future success.

1985 Riviera

The 1985 Riviera was a significant car in Buick’s history. It was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout, and it was also the first Riviera to be offered with a turbocharged engine. The 1985 Riviera helped to revive Buick’s image and set the stage for the company’s future success.

Luxury car: The 1985 Riviera was a luxury car, with a base price of just over $15,000.
Front-wheel drive: The 1985 Riviera was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout.
Turbocharged engine: The 1985 Riviera was the first Riviera to be offered with a turbocharged engine.
Comfortable interior: The 1985 Riviera had a comfortable interior, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo.
Powerful engine: The 1985 Riviera had a powerful engine, with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 150 horsepower.
Stylish design: The 1985 Riviera had a stylish design, with a sleek and aerodynamic body.
Popular car: The 1985 Riviera was a popular car, with over 55,000 units sold in its first year of production.
Affordable luxury car: The 1985 Riviera was a relatively affordable luxury car, with a base price of just over $15,000.
Revived Buick’s image: The 1985 Riviera helped to revive Buick’s image and set the stage for the company’s future success.
Historical significance: The 1985 Riviera is a significant car in Buick’s history, as it was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout and a turbocharged engine.

These are just a few of the key aspects of the 1985 Riviera. This car was a significant milestone in Buick’s history, and it helped to set the stage for the company’s future success.

Luxury car

The 1985 Riviera was a luxury car in every sense of the word. It was well-equipped with features that were not found on many other cars at the time, such as power windows, power locks, and a premium sound system. The Riviera also had a spacious and comfortable interior, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. It was also one of the first cars to offer a turbocharged engine, which gave it impressive performance.

The Riviera’s high price tag reflected its status as a luxury car. However, it was still relatively affordable compared to other luxury cars on the market. This made it a popular choice for buyers who wanted a luxury car without having to spend a fortune.

The Riviera’s status as a luxury car helped to boost Buick’s image. At the time, Buick was seen as a brand that produced stodgy and outdated cars. However, the Riviera showed that Buick could produce a car that was both luxurious and exciting. This helped to attract new buyers to the brand and set the stage for Buick’s future success.

Front-wheel drive

The introduction of front-wheel drive to the Riviera was a significant change for the model. Prior to 1985, all Rivieras had been rear-wheel drive. The switch to front-wheel drive brought a number of advantages, including improved traction and handling, as well as a more spacious interior.

Improved traction and handling: Front-wheel drive provides better traction than rear-wheel drive, especially in slippery conditions. This is because the weight of the engine is over the front wheels, which helps to keep them planted on the ground. Front-wheel drive also provides better handling than rear-wheel drive, as it reduces the tendency of the car to oversteer or understeer.
More spacious interior: Front-wheel drive cars have a more spacious interior than rear-wheel drive cars, as there is no need for a driveshaft to run from the engine to the rear wheels. This gives passengers more room to stretch out and relax.
Reduced maintenance costs: Front-wheel drive cars have lower maintenance costs than rear-wheel drive cars, as there are fewer moving parts to wear out or break.

The switch to front-wheel drive was a major step forward for the Riviera. It made the car more comfortable, more fun to drive, and more affordable to maintain. This helped to make the Riviera one of the most popular luxury cars on the market.

Turbocharged engine

The introduction of a turbocharged engine to the 1985 Riviera was a significant event in the history of the model. Prior to 1985, all Rivieras had been powered by naturally aspirated engines. The addition of a turbocharger to the 3.8-liter V6 engine increased its horsepower from 150 to 200, and its torque from 245 lb-ft to 300 lb-ft. This gave the Riviera a significant performance advantage over its competitors.

Improved performance: The turbocharged engine gave the Riviera a significant boost in performance. The car could now accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.6 seconds, and it had a top speed of 130 mph. This made the Riviera one of the fastest luxury cars on the market.
More responsive engine: The turbocharger also made the Riviera’s engine more responsive. The car was now more eager to accelerate, and it had more power available at all speeds. This made the Riviera a more enjoyable car to drive.
Increased fuel efficiency: Surprisingly, the turbocharged engine also improved the Riviera’s fuel efficiency. The car could now get up to 25 mpg on the highway, which was better than many other luxury cars of the time.

The addition of a turbocharged engine to the 1985 Riviera was a major step forward for the model. It made the car faster, more responsive, and more fuel efficient. This helped to make the Riviera one of the most popular luxury cars on the market.

Comfortable interior

The 1985 Riviera was known for its comfortable and spacious interior. This was a major selling point for the car, as it offered buyers a luxurious and comfortable driving experience. The Riviera’s interior was well-appointed, with high-quality materials and plenty of features to keep passengers entertained and comfortable. The front seats wereand supportive, and the rear seats offered plenty of legroom and headroom. The Riviera also had a large trunk, which made it ideal for families and road trips.

Spaciousness: The Riviera’s interior was one of the most spacious in its class. It offered plenty of room for passengers and cargo, making it a comfortable and practical choice for families and road trips.
Comfort: The Riviera’s interior was designed to be comfortable and luxurious. The seats wereand supportive, and the cabin was quiet and well-insulated. Passengers could relax and enjoy the ride, even on long journeys.
Features: The Riviera’s interior was equipped with a variety of features to keep passengers entertained and comfortable. These features included a premium sound system, power windows and locks, and automatic climate control.

The Riviera’s comfortable interior was a major selling point for the car. It offered buyers a luxurious and comfortable driving experience, which was perfect for families and road trips.

Powerful engine

The powerful engine in the 1985 Riviera was a major selling point for the car. It gave the Riviera impressive performance, and it helped to make the car more fun to drive. The engine was also relatively fuel-efficient, which was a major plus for buyers in the 1980s.

Acceleration: The Riviera’s powerful engine gave it impressive acceleration. The car could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.6 seconds, which was faster than many other luxury cars of the time.
Top speed: The Riviera’s powerful engine also gave it a high top speed. The car could reach a top speed of 130 mph, which was impressive for a luxury car in the 1980s.
Fuel efficiency: The Riviera’s powerful engine was also relatively fuel-efficient. The car could get up to 25 mpg on the highway, which was better than many other luxury cars of the time.

Stylish design

The 1985 Riviera was known for its stylish and aerodynamic design. This was a major selling point for the car, as it gave the Riviera a distinctive and sophisticated look. The Riviera’s design was influenced by the Art Deco movement, which was popular in the 1930s. This influence can be seen in the car’s sleek lines, rounded corners, and chrome accents.

Sleek lines: The Riviera’s body was designed with sleek and aerodynamic lines. This gave the car a sporty and sophisticated look. The Riviera’s lines were also designed to reduce drag, which improved the car’s fuel efficiency and performance.
Rounded corners: The Riviera’s corners were rounded, which gave the car a more streamlined and modern look. This design also helped to reduce drag and improve the car’s aerodynamics.
Chrome accents: The Riviera’s exterior was accented with chrome, which gave the car a more luxurious and sophisticated look. The chrome accents were used on the grille, bumpers, and window trim.
Art Deco influence: The Riviera’s design was influenced by the Art Deco movement, which was popular in the 1930s. This influence can be seen in the car’s sleek lines, rounded corners, and chrome accents.

The Riviera’s stylish design was a major selling point for the car. It gave the car a distinctive and sophisticated look that appealed to buyers who wanted a luxury car that was both stylish and aerodynamic.

Popular car

The popularity of the 1985 Riviera can be attributed to a number of factors, including its stylish design, powerful engine, and comfortable interior. The car was also relatively affordable, which made it a good value for the money. As a result of its popularity, the 1985 Riviera helped to boost Buick’s sales and image. The car’s popularity also helped to pave the way for future Riviera models.

The 1985 Riviera’s popularity is a good example of how a car’s design, performance, and value can all contribute to its success. The car’s popularity also shows that Buick was able to produce a car that appealed to a wide range of buyers.

The popularity of the 1985 Riviera is a significant event in Buick’s history. The car’s popularity helped to revive Buick’s image and set the stage for the company’s future success. The Riviera’s popularity also shows that Buick was able to produce a car that appealed to a wide range of buyers.

Affordable luxury car

The affordability of the 1985 Riviera was a major factor in its success. At a time when many luxury cars were priced well over $20,000, the Riviera offered a more attainable option for buyers who wanted a luxurious and stylish car. The Riviera’s affordability also helped to boost Buick’s sales and image. By offering a luxury car that was within reach of more buyers, Buick was able to attract new customers and increase its market share.

The Riviera’s affordability was also a significant development in the history of the luxury car market. Prior to the Riviera, luxury cars were seen as exclusive and expensive vehicles that were only for the wealthy. However, the Riviera showed that it was possible to produce a luxury car that was both affordable and appealing to a wider range of buyers.

The affordability of the 1985 Riviera is a good example of how a car’s price can affect its success. By offering a luxury car that was within reach of more buyers, Buick was able to boost its sales and image. The Riviera’s affordability also helped to pave the way for future luxury cars that were more affordable and accessible to a wider range of buyers.

Revived Buick's image

Prior to the introduction of the 1985 Riviera, Buick’s image had suffered as the brand’s lineup consisted primarily of stodgy and outdated models. The Riviera’s stylish design, powerful engine, comfortable interior, and affordable price helped to change that perception. The Riviera showed that Buick could produce a car that was both luxurious and exciting. This helped to attract new buyers to the brand and set the stage for Buick’s future success.

Stylish design: The Riviera’s sleek and aerodynamic design was a major departure from Buick’s previous models. It helped to give the brand a more modern and sophisticated image.
Powerful engine: The Riviera’s powerful engine gave it impressive performance, which was not typically associated with Buick vehicles. This helped to change the perception of Buick as a brand that produced stodgy and outdated cars.
Comfortable interior: The Riviera’s interior was spacious and well-appointed, offering a level of luxury that was not typically found in Buick vehicles. This helped to attract buyers who were looking for a car that was both stylish and comfortable.
Affordable price: The Riviera was priced competitively with other luxury cars on the market. This made it a more affordable option for buyers who were looking for a car that offered both style and performance.

The 1985 Riviera was a significant car in Buick’s history. It helped to revive the brand’s image and set the stage for its future success. The Riviera showed that Buick could produce a car that was both luxurious and exciting. This helped to attract new buyers to the brand and set the stage for Buick’s future success.

Historical significance

The 1985 Riviera was a significant car in Buick’s history for several reasons. First, it was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout. This change from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive gave the Riviera a number of advantages, including improved traction and handling, as well as a more spacious interior. Second, the 1985 Riviera was the first Riviera to be offered with a turbocharged engine. This gave the Riviera a significant boost in performance, making it one of the fastest luxury cars on the market.

Front-wheel drive: The switch to front-wheel drive gave the Riviera a number of advantages, including improved traction and handling, as well as a more spacious interior. Front-wheel drive cars have better traction than rear-wheel drive cars, especially in slippery conditions. This is because the weight of the engine is over the front wheels, which helps to keep them planted on the ground. Front-wheel drive cars also have better handling than rear-wheel drive cars, as it reduces the tendency of the car to oversteer or understeer. Additionally, front-wheel drive cars have a more spacious interior than rear-wheel drive cars, as there is no need for a driveshaft to run from the engine to the rear wheels. This gives passengers more room to stretch out and relax.
Turbocharged engine: The addition of a turbocharged engine to the Riviera gave it a significant boost in performance. The turbocharger increased the horsepower of the Riviera’s 3.8-liter V6 engine from 150 to 200, and its torque from 245 lb-ft to 300 lb-ft. This gave the Riviera a 0-60 mph time of just 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph, making it one of the fastest luxury cars on the market.

The 1985 Riviera’s historical significance lies in the fact that it was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout and a turbocharged engine. These changes gave the Riviera a number of advantages over its competitors, and helped to make it one of the most popular luxury cars on the market.

FAQs about the 1985 Riviera

The 1985 Riviera was a significant car in Buick’s history. It was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout and a turbocharged engine. The 1985 Riviera was also a popular car, with over 55,000 units sold in its first year of production. Here are some frequently asked questions about the 1985 Riviera:

Question 1: What engine did the 1985 Riviera have?

The 1985 Riviera was available with two engine options: a 3.8-liter V6 engine and a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine. The turbocharged engine was optional on the Riviera T-Type model.

Question 2: What was the horsepower of the 1985 Riviera?

The horsepower of the 1985 Riviera depended on the engine option. The 3.8-liter V6 engine produced 150 horsepower, while the turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine produced 200 horsepower.

Question 3: What was the 0-60 mph time of the 1985 Riviera?

The 0-60 mph time of the 1985 Riviera depended on the engine option. The Riviera with the 3.8-liter V6 engine could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 9.5 seconds, while the Riviera T-Type with the turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds.

Question 4: What was the top speed of the 1985 Riviera?

The top speed of the 1985 Riviera depended on the engine option. The Riviera with the 3.8-liter V6 engine had a top speed of 120 mph, while the Riviera T-Type with the turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine had a top speed of 130 mph.

Question 5: How many 1985 Rivieras were produced?

There were 55,362 1985 Rivieras produced.

Question 6: What are some of the common problems with the 1985 Riviera?

Some of the common problems with the 1985 Riviera include:

Intake manifold gasket failure
Power window failure
Transmission problems
Rear axle seal leaks
Brake problems

It is important to note that these are just some of the common problems with the 1985 Riviera. Not all Rivieras will experience these problems.

Summary: The 1985 Riviera was a significant car in Buick’s history. It was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout and a turbocharged engine. The 1985 Riviera was also a popular car, with over 55,000 units sold in its first year of production. If you are considering purchasing a 1985 Riviera, be sure to do your research and be aware of the potential problems that these cars can have.

Transition to the next article section: The 1985 Riviera was a significant car in Buick’s history. It helped to revive the brand’s image and set the stage for its future success. The Riviera showed that Buick could produce a car that was both luxurious and exciting. This helped to attract new buyers to the brand and set the stage for Buick’s future success.

Tips for Maintaining a 1985 Riviera

The 1985 Riviera is a classic car that requires special care and maintenance to keep it in top condition. Here are a few tips to help you maintain your Riviera:

Tip 1: Get regular oil changes.

Regular oil changes are essential for keeping your Riviera’s engine running smoothly. The oil helps to lubricate the moving parts in the engine and prevents them from wearing out prematurely. It is important to change your oil according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

Tip 2: Check your fluids regularly.

In addition to oil, your Riviera also has other fluids that need to be checked and replenished regularly. These fluids include coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. Checking your fluids regularly will help to prevent leaks and ensure that your Riviera is running properly.

Tip 3: Keep your tires properly inflated.

Properly inflated tires are essential for maintaining good handling and fuel efficiency. Underinflated tires can cause your Riviera to handle poorly and can also lead to premature tire wear. Overinflated tires can also be dangerous, as they can cause your Riviera to lose traction.

Tip 4: Get regular brake inspections.

Your Riviera’s brakes are one of the most important safety features on your car. It is important to get regular brake inspections to ensure that your brakes are functioning properly. Brake inspections include checking the brake pads, rotors, and calipers. Your mechanic will also check the brake fluid level and make sure that there are no leaks.

Tip 5: Have your Riviera serviced by a qualified mechanic.

While you can perform some maintenance tasks on your Riviera yourself, it is important to have your car serviced by a qualified mechanic on a regular basis. A qualified mechanic will be able to perform more complex tasks, such as tune-ups, transmission repairs, and electrical repairs.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your 1985 Riviera in top condition for many years to come.

Summary: Maintaining a 1985 Riviera requires special care and attention. By following the tips in this article, you can help to keep your Riviera running smoothly and looking its best for many years to come.

Transition to the article’s conclusion: As a classic car, the 1985 Riviera is a valuable investment. By following the tips in this article, you can help to protect your investment and keep your Riviera in top condition for many years to come.

Conclusion

The 1985 Riviera was a significant car in Buick’s history. It was the first Riviera to be produced with a front-wheel-drive layout and a turbocharged engine. The 1985 Riviera was also a popular car, with over 55,000 units sold in its first year of production. The Riviera helped to revive Buick’s image and set the stage for the company’s future success.

The 1985 Riviera is a reminder that Buick can produce a car that is both luxurious and exciting. This car helped to attract new buyers to the brand and set the stage for Buick’s future success. If you are looking for a classic car that is both stylish and fun to drive, the 1985 Riviera is a great option.

Uncover the Secrets of Buick’s 1985 Riviera: A Timeless Masterpiece