Buick Riviera 7.0 V8 — 1969

An impressive car even without considering its provenance—namely its first owner, Frank Sinatra Jr. It is in very good condition both cosmetically and mechanically. The Riviera was imported to Sweden in 2016, and the current owner acquired it in 2021. The body and paint are in excellent condition following a full respray carried out in 2016. The engine was also rebuilt that same year, receiving new pistons, new bearings, and a reground crankshaft. The cylinder heads were refurbished and converted for use with unleaded fuel. It is fitted with a discreetly installed fuel injection system from Creative Fuel Injection, chipped and tuned to suit the engine.

The car was very well equipped from the factory, with options including a remote-adjustable driver’s side mirror, rear window defroster, power windows, power seats, tinted glass, central locking, trunk release from the cabin, and climate control. The latter has since been converted to a manual air conditioning system—which is functional. The Riviera is also equipped with front disc brakes, a power antenna, and a limited-slip differential. The radio appears period-correct but is in fact modern, with Bluetooth connectivity—see the video demonstrating its function in practice.

The 7.0-litre V8 and Hydra-Matic automatic transmission are matching numbers with the car. The mileage is unknown, as the odometer has rolled over.

The American registration document (“title”) shows that the first owner was Frank Wayne Sinatra Jr, with an address on Fox Hills Drive in Los Angeles. It was registered to him in the autumn of 1968, and the car also comes with GM’s “Protect-O-Plate,” likewise bearing the name Frank Wayne Sinatra Jr. The current owner has also located the car’s original “build sheet,” listing its factory options—this document is included as well.

Further evidence supporting the Sinatra provenance has been uncovered. The owner has been in contact with a previous keeper who recalled a former service booklet bearing the name Richie Lisella and a phone number—Lisella being Sinatra Jr’s manager. The fact that the car was sold by Lauesen Buick Company, located near both Sinatra’s residence and Culver City Studios, adds further credibility.

When the original radio was removed for repair, another piece of history emerged: behind it was a business card from “Chips Auto Radio,” with handwritten notes on the back indicating who installed it and the date—November 25, 1968. The company still exists today and was then located close to Sinatra Jr’s home.

Frank Sinatra—“Ol’ Blue Eyes”—remains world-famous, but who was his son? The middle of three siblings, Frank Sinatra Jr was born in 1944. At the age of 19, he was kidnapped and released only after his father paid a ransom; the kidnappers were later caught and convicted. Like his father, he became a singer, songwriter, and actor, appearing in several films and TV series. More recently, he played himself in an episode of The Sopranos and lent his voice to three episodes of Family Guy. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 72 following a heart attack.

This Buick Riviera has been featured in a 12-page article in Klassiker magazine (issue 1/2025), and the current owner has also written about the car in Riview, the American Buick Riviera club magazine (issue 1/2026). Read the article here

Two sets of keys are included. The original radio that came with the car is also included in the sale, along with the instruction manual and accompanying documentation.

• Zustand technisch

  Starts easily and the engine runs well. During a test drive, the brakes performed effectively, the automatic transmission shifted smoothly, and no abnormal noises were detected from the chassis or suspension. All electrical functions—such as the wipers, radio, and air conditioning—are working.
  
  The central locking and trunk release from the cabin are vacuum-operated and function while the car is running and for a few minutes after it has been switched off. That they do not operate after the car has been standing for a longer period is likely due to a minor leak in the vacuum system.
  
  The speedometer displays km/h, while the odometer records miles. The dashboard clock is not functioning.

• Zustand Interieur

  The interior is overall in good condition. The black vinyl upholstery is largely well preserved, with a small tear on the passenger seat backrest. The door seals are older and show some cracking, though this does not appear to affect functionality, as there is no noticeable wind noise while driving. Original rubber mats are in place and in good condition. The dashboard is intact and clean, with a small area of rust visible from the outside at the lower right corner. The headliner is intact but has a few scratches.

• Zustand Exterieur

  The Riviera presents very well externally. The body was repainted in 2016 in its original color, Deep Gray Mist. Both bumpers have been re-chromed and are in good condition. Smaller chrome details—such as the trim above the front bumper and the exterior mirror—show some visible pitting. A few of the vertically mounted plastic inserts in the grille are missing.

• Zustand gesamt

  A well-functioning classic, ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.

Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 2016-07-13
Ursprungsbesiktning: 2016-05-04 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 2016-07-13 (690101)
Senast godkända besiktning: 2018-06-14
Besiktningsbefriad: Ja
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 4

As early as 1949, Buick began using the name Riviera for certain model versions, but it wasn’t until the autumn of 1962 that the Buick Riviera was introduced as a model in its own right. It was a four-seat, full-size coupé designed to compete with the Ford Thunderbird. Bill Mitchell, GM’s legendary head of design, is said to have instructed the stylist in charge that the Riviera should look like something between a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari.
The Buick Riviera was body-on-frame, rear-wheel drive, and initially offered with two V8 engine options of 6.6 and 7.0 litres. The headlights were concealed within the grille, a design feature that remained when an all-new generation was introduced for the 1966 model year. The body was completely redesigned, and the car became longer, larger, and heavier. For the 1969 model year, a number of minor updates were made, including changes to the grille, and the ignition key was moved from the dashboard to the steering column. The second generation was produced through 1970 and proved to be an even greater sales success than the first Riviera model.
From the sixth generation, introduced for the 1979 model year, the Riviera became a front-wheel-drive car. With the exception of the 1994 model year, the Riviera name remained in use on production cars through 1999. Buick has since revived the name for two concept cars.

Location: Huddinge

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Fredrik Nyblad
+46 703187844
fredrik.nyblad@bilwebauctions.se

Collection must take place before: 2026-05-27.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.