September 2019 Classic & Sports Car 131THOSERIVIERATOUCHES
1963-’65Buick’sanswertothe
FordThunderbirdmadeitsdebut
in’62(forMY63)withagorgeous
bespokebodybyNedNicklesand
6.6-or7-litreV8power.A360bhp
GranSportfollowedin’65,when
theheadlightsmovedtobehind
poweredcoversinthefrontwings.1971-’73Radicalredesignwith
mouldedbumpersandtaperingtail
didn’tprovepopularwithpunters.
EmissionsregsstrangledthebigV8,
butspecincludedtractioncontrol
and‘Full-Flo’ventilation.Rear
panellouvreswentin’72,andthe
stylingwastoneddownayearlater.1977-’78 Reflecting the Stateside
trend for downsizing, the short-lived
fifth-gen shrank to a shadow of its
former self to fit on GM’s ‘B-body’
platform, losing its identity in the
process. The V8s contracted, too,
to 5.7 and 6.6 litres, but still drove
the rear wheels. For now at least...1986-’93 Catching up with the rest
of the world, Buick went monocoque
for the V6-only ’86 Riviera. A digital
dash and all-disc brakes were rare
spec highlights from a generally
forgettable era, and sales dropped
consistently until the famous name
was finally discontinued in 1993.1966-’70TheRivierawasnever
goingtoescapepartssharing,and
soitprovedwiththelonger,wider’66,
whichjoinedtheCadillacEldorado
andOldsmobileToronadoonthe
‘E-body’platform.Stillhandsome,but
lackingthedramaoftheoriginal.New
V8andoptionalfrontdiscsfor’67.1974-’76TheRivwentfullLandYacht
forthismoreconventionalmakeover,
thoughwasessentiallythesameunder
theskin.Pillarlesssidewindowswere
replacedbyGM’s‘Colonnade’look,
withoperawindowsandanoptional
landautop.Powerdroppedtoanew
low–mirroredbysalesfigures.1979-’85 Front-drive reached the
Riviera for 1979, and this generation
also introduced several firsts for the
model: V6 power, a convertible (from
’82) and even a diesel (from ’85). It
was a hit, with 1979 sales doubling
the previous year – no doubt aided by
being Motor Trend Car of the Year.1995-’99 After just a year off the
market, the Riviera returned for ’95
on GM’s ‘G-body’ platform (shared
with the Cadillac Seville). Naturally
aspirated and supercharged V6 power
offered up to 240bhp, making it the
most powerful Buick since the ’87
GNX. Shame it looked so bland...Above: massive 455cu in
(7456cc) pushrod V8 was
introduced in 430cu in
form for the 1967 season,
but was already suffering
emissions strangulation by
- Left: elegant window
line is shown off with all
four lowered. Main: sharply
pointed tail is a defining
feature – fuel filler hides
behind numberplate
GM/MOTORSPORT IMAGES/ GREG GJERDINGEN