Modern cars are packed with technology. Thanks to the advent of driver assistance features, advanced infotainment systems, and voice-command integration, our vehicles have turned into rolling computers.
I came across a story on some Buick forums about the owner of a 1962 Buick Electra who was showing some young folks his radio. “Do your cars have voice-activated radios?” he asked.
“No,” they said. “Watch this,” he replied. And with that, he commanded “Change station,” while secretly pushing a floor-mounted button near the brake pedal to make his radio advance to the next station. Foot-mounted radio buttons are a thing of the past, but 70 years ago, they were a common feature.
The Pick of the Day is a 1953 Buick Super Riviera two-door hardtop listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Click the link to view the listing)
And yes, its Wonder Bar radio has a foot control!
“Acquired by the current owner in 1978 from the original owner, it remains a stunning example of classic automotive design,” the listing begins. Finished in two-tone Matador Red and black, the car reportedly received restoration upwards of 40 years ago, but based on the nearly-100 photos in the listing, it has been lovingly preserved. Buick enthusiasts will notice the attractive spoked wheels which came from a Skylark and have been refinished. The interior has been partially reupholstered and presents well.
The seller is transparent about the car’s shortcomings. Among them, the tires are said to need replacement, the seats have some wear, the paint shows some imperfections, and the undercarriage could use a cleaning.
Riding on the General Motors C-body platform, the Super had a shorter wheelbase than its upscale Roadmaster counterpart. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Buicks from this era was the series of “VentiPorts” on the hood or front fenders: Supers were identified with triple VentiPorts, while Roadmasters had four. The Super Riviera name was reserved for a two-door hardtop.
Power comes from a 322ci Fireball V8 mated to a twin-turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission. This engine was a departure from the straight-eight powerplants in prior Super models, and Buick promoted it heavily in advertising. One magazine ad said, “You can tell in an instant it’s a very great 8.” It went on, “We cordially invite you to hold rein on this truly advanced V8 – the world’s first V8 with vertical valves, with a T-type intake manifold, with a zero-power-loss muffler, and the first standard-production American passenger-car engine to reach 8.5 to 1 compression ratio.”
“This Buick offers tons of character and a fun ride that draws attention wherever it goes,” the listing concludes.
The asking price for the car is $32,000, but the ability to impress friends and neighbors with the “voice-activated” radio is priceless.
View this listing on ClassicCars.com, and check out the library at Pick of the Day.