Special Models — Buick Riviera Convertibles

1983 Buick Riviera Twin Turbo. The Official Pace Car of the 67th Annual Indianapolis 500 Race.

Only 2 of these vehicles were produced; both to Pace the 1983 Indy 500 Race. One resides in the Indy 500 Museum and the other at GM Heritage Center Museum in Detroit.

Unfortunately this Twin Turbo option was never offered to the general public in a production vehicle. 1984 and 1985 did see a 3.8L V6 Turbo option made available.

(Click on the images above to see a larger view)

1983 Indianapolis 500 Official Festival Car

One of 60 produced, this 1983 Riviera Convertible Official Festival Car was used during the week prior to the running of the 67th Annual Indianapolis 500 Race held May 29, 1983.

This beautiful car has just 35,021 original miles and comes with all of its official documentation from race day.

It is owned by private collector Jeffrey Brashares of Dublin, Ohio and I thank him for sharing it with this site.

(Click on the images above and below to see a larger view)

The car below is Festival Car #1. It was assigned to Mari Hulman George of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to use during the 1983 500 Race and Festival.

It is currently owned by Ralph and Connie Colter of Kokomo, Indiana who have owned it since April 1991. It is a beauty and I thank them for sharing it with this site.

Race Day Tickets from the 67th running of the Indy 500

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From the GM Heritage Center Collection (SOLD) Where is it now??

This Show Convertible was consigned from the GM Heritage Center Collection and sold at the Barrett Jackson Auction in Las Vegas on October 17, 2008 to Brigg's Pontiac / Buick / GMC in Manhattan, Kansas.

This 1983 Riviera Convertible Pace Show Car (not a twin turbo car) is the one (of possibly 2?), General Motors had built for show and display prior to and during the 67th running of the 1983 Indianapolis 500 held on May 29th 1983. It is actually a 1982 Y57 Model and started life as a T-Type prior to becoming a Convertible Show Car. It now has 9400 miles. This special car really spans 3 different Model years, 1982, 1983 and 1984. Starting life and titled as a 1982 T-Type, it is modeled after the 1983 XX Anniversary with Walnut / Leather / Suede interior while riding on real wire wheels produced by the Appliance Wheel Company. Up front it sports the new for 1984 front fascia Grill and Headlight frames. A very interesting Model to be sure.

I want to thank Jamey Metzger of Topeka, Kansas for locating the car and the good folks at Brigg's Pontiac Buick GMC for the additional pictures.

Poster produced during the 1983 model year to promote Buick being chosen as the Official Pace Car. This poster shows the Twin Turbo used in the actual Pace Cars, 2 of which were produced.

Public Relation Photo's and Press Release's about the up coming use of the 1983 Buick Riviera Convertible
being chosen as the Official Pace Car for the running of the 67th Annual Indy 500.

(Click on the images below to see a larger view)