After a year of searching, the story of a 1971 Buick Riviera unfolds with surprising twists
Bloomington: So, about that 1971 Buick Riviera I spotted on Maple Grove Road. It’s been quite the adventure figuring out its story.
Back in May 2023, I saw this classic car for sale and snapped a few photos. There was a sign on the window with all the details, and it caught my eye.
Months later, I decided to go back and check it out, but I totally forgot where I’d seen it. Luckily, some readers helped me track it down.
One reader, Mike, pointed me in the right direction. I found the car again, but no one was around to chat with. I promised to keep digging into its history.
Then, I dropped the ball and missed an email from Dan Baucco, the car’s owner. He was thrilled to see his Riviera featured in my column and offered to answer my questions.
Dan had been restoring the car for years. He told me it had a rebuilt engine and he’d done a lot of work on it. He’s had it for about a decade but hasn’t finished it yet.
Fast forward nearly a year, and I finally reached out to him after hearing some sad news about the car being vandalized.
When I contacted Dan, he told me the Riviera was about to find a new owner. I had a ton of questions ready for him, and he was happy to answer.
Now, I’m just waiting for his replies and hoping to meet the new owner when this classic beauty hits the road again.
If you’ve got a car story to share, hit me up at llane@heraldt.com or call 812-318-5967.
This article first appeared in The Herald-Times: What’s the story behind this 1971 Buick Riviera?
