A 1968 Buick Riviera believed to have belonged to Frank Sinatra Jr has emerged for sale on auction platform Bilweb.
The car’s US title places it in Sinatra Jr’s name from autumn 1968, registered to an address on Fox Hills Drive, Los Angeles. It retains its original “Protect-O-Plate” – the small metal warranty card issued with period GM cars – bearing his name, while service records connect it to his manager Richie Lisella. The car was originally sold by a Buick dealer near the Sinatra family residence and Culver City Studios.
A matching-numbers example, the 7.0-litre V8 carries an extensive list of factory options: remote-adjustable driver’s mirror, rear window defroster, power windows and seats, tinted glass, central locking, boot release and climate control – since converted to manual air-con.
The stereo, though period-correct in appearance, is a modern Bluetooth system. Its removal for repair revealed a final piece of provenance: handwritten notes on the back showing it was installed by Chips Auto Radio on 25 November 1968 – a company that still exists, located near Sinatra Jr’s former home.
The Riviera was imported into Sweden in 2016 – the same year Sinatra Jr died of a heart attack aged 72. After arriving in Sweden it was treated to a full respray and engine rebuild that included upgraded cylinder heads for use with unleaded petrol, alongside a modern Creative Fuel Injection system. It was acquired by the consigning owner in 2021.
Born in 1944, Sinatra Jr made global headlines at 19 when he was kidnapped and held for ransom – his father paid for his release, and the kidnappers were caught and convicted. He went on to follow Frank into music, becoming a singer, songwriter and actor.
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