Buick Riviera
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1963–1999
Class	personal luxury car
Body style(s)	2-door coupé
Platform	FR E-body (1963-1976) FR B-body (1977-1978) FF E-body (1979-1993) FF G-body (1995-1999)
Related	Oldsmobile Toronado Oldsmobile Aurora Cadillac Eldorado

The Buick Riviera was an automobile produced by Buick in the United States from the 1963 to 1999 model years, with 1,127,261 produced.^[1] 1965 Buick Riviera mild custom, photographed on 17/5/2003 by User:Morven and released under the GFDL. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Automakers, also known as carmakers, automobile manufacturers, motor manufacturers, or the automobile industry are companies that design and manufacture automobiles. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest auto company by annual production volume as of 2006, and the second largest by sales volume as of the first half of 2007, behind Toyota Motor Corporation. ... Car classification is subjective since many vehicles fall into multiple categories. ... Ford Thunderbird A personal luxury car is a highly styled, luxurious automobile intended for the comfort and satisfaction of its owner/driver, sacrificing passenger space, cargo capacity, and other practical concerns for the sake of style. ... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... The Peugeot 406 Coupé, designed by Pininfarina 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC coupé, noted for its large, angular design 1980s Volvo 480 two-box coupé 1997 Rover Vitesse Coupe, club coupe Mercedes CLS, a modern four-door coupé Gala-Coupé of Leopold II, Brussels 1970s Sunbeam Alpine fastback coupé A coup... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... In automobile design, an FR, or front-engine, rear wheel drive means a layout where the engine is in the front of the vehicle and drive wheels at the rear. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... In automobile design, an FR, or front-engine, rear wheel drive means a layout where the engine is in the front of the vehicle and drive wheels at the rear. ... The B platform, or B-body, was General Motors full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform. ... In automobile design, an FF, or Front-engine, Front wheel drive, layout places both the engine and driven wheels at the front of the vehicle. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... In automobile design, an FF, or Front-engine, Front wheel drive, layout places both the engine and driven wheels at the front of the vehicle. ... The General Motors G platform (also called G-Body) automobile platform name was used twice. ... The Toronado was produced by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors from 1966 to 1992. ... The Oldsmobile Aurora was a luxury car made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995. ... The Eldorado model was part of the Cadillac line from 1953 to 2002. ... Karl Benzs Velo model (1894) - entered into the first automobile race An automobile or motor car (usually shortened to just car) is a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor. ... Buick is a brand of automobile built in the United States, Canada, China and in Spain by General Motors Corporation. ... The model year of a product is a number used to describe approximately when a product was produced. ...

A full-size coupé or personal luxury car, the early models of the Riviera in particular have been highly praised by automotive journalists and writers. The Peugeot 406 Coupé, designed by Pininfarina 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC coupé, noted for its large, angular design 1980s Volvo 480 two-box coupé 1997 Rover Vitesse Coupe, club coupe Mercedes CLS, a modern four-door coupé Gala-Coupé of Leopold II, Brussels 1970s Sunbeam Alpine fastback coupé A coup... Ford Thunderbird A personal luxury car is a highly styled, luxurious automobile intended for the comfort and satisfaction of its owner/driver, sacrificing passenger space, cargo capacity, and other practical concerns for the sake of style. ...

Origin of the name

The Riviera name first entered the Buick line in 1949 as the designation for the new two-door pillarless hardtop, which was described in advertising as "stunningly smart." The Roadmaster Riviera(along with the Cadillac Coupe de Ville) constituted the first mass production use of this body style, which was to become extremely popular over the next 30 years. Buick is a brand of automobile built in the United States, Canada, China and in Spain by General Motors Corporation. ... A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. ... The Coupe deVille (sometimes spelled Coupe Deville or Coupe DeVille) was a model of Cadillac from 1949 through 1993. ...

In 1951 the "Riviera" designation was also used on a version of the Super 4-door sedan. The 1951 Buick Super Riviera 4-door sedan featured more plush interior trim and a wheelbase (and overall lenghth) that was 4 inches longer than a regular Buick Super 4-door sedan. The Buick Super Riviera 4-door sedan was still an inch shorter in wheelbase and length than the larger Buick Roadmaster.

Starting in 1955 GM also offered a four-door pillarless hardtop body style, and the "Riviera" designation was also applied to these models. Riviera hardtop bodies were offered on all Buick lines in the next few years, including the Buick Roadmaster, Buick Super, Buick Century, and Buick Special. Since it was a body style designation and not a model, however, the Riviera name did not usually appear on the car. The last usage of the term "Riviera" to describe hardtops was 1963, as the formal designation of the #4829 Electra 225 Riviera four-door hardtop. Coincidentally, this was the same year the Riviera would become a separate model in its own right. General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest auto company by annual production volume as of 2006, and the second largest by sales volume as of the first half of 2007, behind Toyota Motor Corporation. ... The Roadmaster was an automobile built by the Buick division of General Motors. ... The Buick Super was a Full Sized automobile produced from 1940-1942, and from 1946-1958; it was on Buicks longer wheelbase shared with the Roadmaster. ... Buick Century is a model name used by the Buick division of General Motors for a line of fullsize performance vehicles from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958; Buick also used the Century name from 1973 to 2004 for its value-added midsize cars. ... 1940 Buick Coupé Straight 8 Special 4. ...

Origins of the personal luxury car

In the late 1950s, GM began to feel the need for a personal luxury car to compete with the highly successful Ford Thunderbird — a uniquely styled, two-door, four-passenger car with an image of both comfort and performance. The design that became the first Riviera was created as a Cadillac model, the XP-715, possibly to be called LaSalle, after Cadillac's smaller "companion" car of the 1930s. Its styling was reportedly inspired by GM styling chief Bill Mitchell's visit to London during the period, when he was struck by the sight of an elegant, custom-bodied Rolls Royce in the fog. He later said that "knife-edged" styling was what he wanted for the new model, but with a lower profile and a bit of Ferrari thrown in for performance. The design itself was penned by stylist Ned Nickles. Ford Thunderbird A personal luxury car is a highly styled, luxurious automobile intended for the comfort and satisfaction of its owner/driver, sacrificing passenger space, cargo capacity, and other practical concerns for the sake of style. ... The Ford Thunderbird is a car manufactured in the United States by the Ford Motor Company. ... 1936 LaSalle 5019 - see additional photos below For other uses of the name, see the LaSalle/La Salle disambiguation page. ... Cadillac is a brand of luxury vehicles, part of General Motors, produced and mostly sold in the United States and Canada. ... William T. Mitchell (July 2, 1912 — September 12, 1988) was an important General Motors designer from the late 1930s to the late 1970s. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Rolls-Royce car may refer to vehicles produced by: Rolls-Royce Limited (1906-1973) Rolls-Royce Motors (1973-2003) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (2003-present) // Rolls-Royce cars Rolls-Royce Limited vehicles 1904-1906 10 hp 1905-1905 15 hp 1905-1908 20 hp 1905-1906 30 hp 1905-1906... Ferrari Enzo. ...

The management of Cadillac was not particularly interested, since the division was very successful at the time and needed all their production capacity for their existing models. In an unusual move, in 1960 the project was thrown open for competition by the other divisions. Buick, which was desperate to revive its flagging sales, enlisted the aid of the McCann-Erickson advertising agency, with which it had just signed, to create its presentation. Buick won, and the finished design was adapted to a shortened version of Buick's cruciform frame. The design was substantially the same as the original, although the hidden headlights — originally concealed in the fender grilles — were initially omitted for cost reasons. Cadillac is a brand of luxury vehicles, part of General Motors, produced and mostly sold in the United States and Canada. ... McCann Erickson is a global advertising agency network, with offices in over 130 countries and almost eight decades of multinational experience. ... Look up Chassis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1937 Cord 812 with hidden lights 1967 Ford Thunderbird with hidden lights Hidden headlights are an automotive styling feature that conceals an automobiles headlights when not in use. ...

First generation (1963-1965)

The production Riviera (unusual for a GM product) shared its bodyshell with no other model. It rode a cruciform frame similar to the standard Buick frame, but shorter and narrower, with a 2.0 in (51 mm) narrower track. Its wheelbase of 117 in (2972 mm) and overall length of 208 in (5283 mm) were 6.0 inches (152 mm) and 7.7 in (196 mm) shorter, respectively, than a Buick LeSabre, but slightly longer than a contemporary Thunderbird. At 4190 lb (1900 kg), it was about 200 lb (90 kg) lighter than either. It shared the standard Buick V8 engines, with a displacement of either 401 in³ (6.5 L) or 425 in³ (6.9 L), and Twin Turbine automatic transmission. Brakes were Buick's standard "Al-Fin" (aluminum finned) drums of 12 in. (304.8 mm) diameter. Power steering was standard equipment, with an overall steering ratio of 20.5:1, giving 3.5 turns lock-to-lock. Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ... Turbo-Hydramatic is the registered tradename of an automatic transmission developed and produced by General Motors. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Buick LeSabre was a full-size car made by the Buick division of General Motors from 1959-2005. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Dynaflow was the trademark name for an automatic transmission developed and built by General Motors Buick Division from the late 1940s to the mid 1960s. ... The automatic gear selector in a Ford Five Hundred vehicle An automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, thus freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually (similar but larger devices are also used for railroad locomotives). ... Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ... Power steering is a system for reducing the steering effort on cars by using an external power source to assist in turning the wheels. ... Steering ratio refers to the ratio betweeen the turn of the steering wheel or handlebars and the turn of the wheels. ...

The Riviera's suspension used the same basic design as standard Buicks, with double wishbones front and a live axle located by trailing arms and a lateral track bar, but the roll centers were raised to reduce body lean. Although its coil springs were actually slightly softer than other Buicks, with the lighter overall weight, the net effect was to make the Riviera somewhat firmer. Although still biased towards understeer, contemporary testers considered it one of the most roadable American cars, with an excellent balance of comfort and agility. The front suspension components of a Ford Model T. Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. ... A double wishbone suspension is an automobile independent suspension design using two parallel wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. ... A live axle is a type of beam axle suspension system that uses the driveshafts that transmit power to the wheels to connect the wheels laterally so that they move together as a unit. ... A trailing-arm suspension is an automobile suspension design in which one or more arms (or links) are connected between (and perpendicular to) the axle and the chassis. ... A Panhard rod is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. ... The roll center of a vehicle is the notional point at which the cornering forces in the suspension are reacted to the vehicle body. ... A compression coil spring A tension coil spring A selection of conical coil springs A Coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device, which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces. ... Ideally, when the car reaches the turn, the driver will steer it along the line marked with green dots. ...

The Riviera was introduced on October 4, 1962 as a 1963 model, with a base price of $4,333, although typical delivered prices with options ran upwards of $5,000. Production was deliberately limited to 40,000 or less to increase demand.

With the same power as the larger Buicks and less weight, the Riviera had sparkling all-around performance: Motor Trend magazine found it capable of running 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 8 seconds or less, the standing quarter mile in about 16 seconds, and an observed top speed of 115 mph (184 km/h), although 125 mph (200 km/h) was feasible with a longer run. Fuel consumption was a meager 13.2 mpg (18.4 L/100 km). Motor Trend is one of the oldest automotive magazines still publishing. ...

Inside, the Riviera featured a four-place cabin with front bucket seats separated by a center console with floor shifter and storage compartment that was built into the instrument panel, and bucket-style seats in the rear. Upholstery choices included all-vinyl, cloth and vinyl, or optional leather. Popular extra-cost options included a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, power windows, power seats, air conditioning, AM/FM radio, and wire wheel covers.

The Riviera continued with minimal trim changes for 1964 including the discontinuation of leather upholstery from the option list, differing mainly in substitution of the old two-speed Dynaflow-based Twin Turbine for the new three-speed Super Turbine 400, which was marketed as Turbo Hydra-Matic by other GM divisions. This was the first year that the Stylized "R" emblem was used on the Riviera, a trademark that would continue throughout the remainder of Riviera's 36-year production run. Under the hood, the 401 (6.5L) was dropped in favor of the 425 in³ (6.9 L) V8, with 340 hp. A 'Super Wildcat' version was optionally available, with dual Carter AFB four-barrel carburetors, rated at 360 hp. Turbo-Hydramatic is the registered tradename of an automatic transmission developed and produced by General Motors. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... Bendix-Technico (Stromberg) 1-barrel downdraft carburetor model BXUV-3, with nomenclature The carburetor, carburettor, or carburetter (see spelling differences), also called carb (in North America) or carbie (chiefly in Australia) for short, is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. ...

Changes for 1965 included the introduction of the Gran Sport option, which included the dual-quad Super Wildcat 425 V8, a numerically higher 3.42 axle ratio, dual exhausts, and stiffer, heavy-duty suspension. The 401 (6.5 L)V8 returned as the standard Riviera engine and the Super Turbine 400 transmission now had a variable pitch torque converter like the old Twin Turbine Dynaflow had two years before. Externally, the headlamps were concealed behind clamshell doors in the leading edges of each fender, as in the original design. Further back, the non-functional side scoops between the doors and rear wheel arches were removed, and the taillights were moved from the body into the rear bumper. A vinyl roof became available as an option, initially offered only in black, and the tilt steering wheel optional in previous years was now standard equipment. Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Vinyl roof refers to a vinyl covering for an automobiles top. ...

Total sales for the three model years was a respectable 112,244. All in all, the Riviera was extremely well-received and considered a great success, giving the Thunderbird its first real competition. This first Riviera is considered a styling landmark, and is quite collectible today.

Second generation (1966-1970)

The Riviera was redesigned for the 1966 model year. It retained its cruciform frame, powertrain, and brakes, but it wore a longer, wider, more curvaceous body, a shell it now shared with the Oldsmobile Toronado, and, a year later, with the Cadillac Eldorado. A notable styling point was the absence of vent windows, a feature GM had introduced with a flourish in the 1930s. Headlamps remained concealed, but they now pivoted up above the grille when not in use. Unlike the Toronado, the Riviera retained a conventional rear wheel drive layout. It was now some 200 lb (90 kg) heavier, so acceleration with the unchanged 425 engine was slightly slower. The Gran Sport package remained available as an option. Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ... Turbo-Hydramatic is the registered tradename of an automatic transmission developed and produced by General Motors. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Toronado was produced by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors from 1966 to 1992. ... The Eldorado model was part of the Cadillac line from 1953 to 2002. ... Rear wheel drive was a common form of engine/transmission layout used in automobiles throughout the 20th century. ...

Inside, the four-place cabin with front and rear bucket seats and center console was replaced by a choice of bucket seats or conventional bench seats as standard equipment, making the Riviera a full six-passenger car for the first time. Optionally available was a Strato-bench seat with armrest or Strato bucket seats with either a short consolette or a full-length operating console with a "horseshoe" shaped floor shifter and storage compartment. Both the buckets and Strato-bench seat were available with a reclining seat option for the passenger's side.

1967 was substantially the same except for the adoption of Buick's entirely new V8 of 430 in³ (7.0 L) displacement, 360 horsepower and 475lb-ft of torque to replace the old 425 "nailhead". Powerful Disc brakes with Bendix 4 piston calipers became optional for the front wheels but most Riviera continued to be ordered with Buick's aluminum brake drums which were almost as good. Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Vehicle brake. ...

1968 and 1969 had a reshaped front and rear bumper as well as hidden wipers. The interior was also new and unlike the 66-67 model, the 1968 shared its instrument panel with the other full size Buick models. There were very few mechanical changes in 1968 but the transmission lost the variable pitch torque converter. Again, Rivieras were available with front bench or bucket seats, including an upgrade to custom interiors that included Strato-bench or Strato-bucket seats.

The 1970 was restyled—with exposed headlamps and rear fender skirts. The engine was upgraded to 455 in³ (7.4 L), the largest engine Buick offered to date, rated at 370 gross horsepower (or 245 net hp) and over 500 foot-pounds of torque. Even so, sales dropped in the final year probably because it was becoming overdue for a major styling change and competition from less expensive personal-luxury cars such as the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Pontiac Grand Prix. But with 227,669 units sold over five seasons, the second-generation Riviera was more successful than the original, if less distinctive.

Third generation (1971-1973)

The Riviera was radically redesigned for the 1971 model year with flowing and dramatic "boat-tail" styling. Designed under Bill Mitchell's direction, it was penned by Jerry Hirshberg, future head of design for Nissan, mating the fastback rear window design of the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe to the Riviera's platform. The design was originally intended for the smaller GM A platform, and the use of the Riviera's body—expanded for 1971 by three inches (76.2 mm) in wheelbase and more than 120 lb (55 kg) heavier—produced controversial looks. The 455 engine had a lower compression ratio to meet EPA emissions requirements, reducing power to 255 hp with 265 hp in the Gran Sport. Performance remained reasonably brisk, but the Riviera's sporty image was rapidly fading. One noteworthy advance was Buick's Max Trac system, a traction control system that prevented wheelspin during acceleration on slippery surfaces. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ... Turbo-Hydramatic is the registered tradename of an automatic transmission developed and produced by General Motors. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Nissan Motor Co. ... This 1968 Ford Mustang has a fastback body style. ... The Chevrolet Corvette is the sports car that has been manufactured by Chevrolet since 1953. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into List of GM platforms. ... Bold text The compression ratio is a single number that can be used to predict the performance of any engine (such as an internal-combustion engine or a Stirling Engine). ... EPA redirects here. ... Traction control systems, on current production vehicles, are typically (but not necessarily) electro-hydraulic systems designed to prevent loss of traction (and therefore the control of the vehicle) when excessive throttle or steering is applied by the driver. ...

Despite these features, Riviera sales for 1971 dropped to 33,810, the lowest to that time. The 1972 Riviera was little changed, with the 455 engine switching to net power ratings, 225 hp (168 kW) or 250 hp (187 kW) with the Gran Sport, although the actual drop in net power was only 5 hp (4 kW). Sales remained moribund at 33,728. For 1973, the 250 hp engine became standard, with 260 hp (194 kW) on the Stage One, which replaced the Gran Sport, with 34,080 sold.

The 1971 version would later gain fame as the car of Detective Raymond Vecchio in the 1990s television series Due South. During the course of the series he went through 3 of them, all being destroyed and replaced. Detective Raymond Ray Vecchio is a fictional character in the television series Due South. ... Due South is an award-winning Canadian television police drama created by Paul Haggis and produced by Alliance Communications (now part of Alliance Atlantis), first airing in 1994. ...

A third generation was driven early in the movie Crank by Jason Statham's character Chev Chelios. Look up crank in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Jason Statham (born on 12 September 1972, in Sydenham, Lewisham, London) is an English actor, known for his roles in the Guy Ritchie crime films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Revolver and Snatch. ...

Fourth generation (1974-1976)

Although carrying over the same platform, mechanicals, and some body panels seen on the "Third Generation" Riviera, Buick replaced its distinctive 'boat tail' roofline with a more conventional-looking "Colonnade" treatment. This turned the car from a hardtop coupe into a pillared coupe, as it featured wide B pillars and fixed quarter opera windows. A landau half-vinyl roof option was available. The car did retain its forward-jutting grille, albeit in slightly modified form. Thus modified, the car looked far less distinctive than its predecessors, and even its platform mates, the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado. The tamer-looking Riviera was no lighter, and its standard 455 V8 lost more power, dropping to 230 hp and 245 hp for standard and Stage One models, respectively. Max Trac was dropped from the option list after 1974 due lack of buyer interest. The revised styling did nothing for sales, which plummeted to 20,129 in 1974. Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ... Turbo-Hydramatic is the registered tradename of an automatic transmission developed and produced by General Motors. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... Vinyl roof refers to a vinyl covering for an automobiles top. ... The Toronado was produced by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors from 1966 to 1992. ... The Eldorado model was part of the Cadillac line from 1953 to 2002. ...

For 1975, the Riviera received an updated front fascia, which lost its forward-jutting theme through the redesign of the fiberglass front end cap. Quad rectangular headlights were mounted horizontally. The new vertical-bar grille echoed the "stand-up" theme that many GM cars of the day incorporated. Parking lights wrapped around the fender sides. The Stage One performance package was dropped for 1975, replaced by an 'S/R' package that had some sporting pretensions, though less so than the Stage One. The standard engine's output dipped to 205 hp. Sales for 1975 were 17,306.

Minor changes greeted 1976 models, the most notable of which was a new crosshatch grille insert. Sales rallied slightly to 20,082 for 1976.^[1]

Fifth generation (1977-1978)

Buick downsized the Riviera for 1977, sharing the new smaller GM B platform. It was, in most respects, a Buick LeSabre coupe with unique styling. It was reduced to a wheelbase of 115.9 in (2944 mm), down 6.1 in (155 mm), and an overall length of 218.2 in (5542 mm), down 4.8 in (122 mm). Weight dropped some 660 lb (300 kg). The 455 was gone, replaced by a 350 in³ (5.7 L) Buick V8 engine with 155 hp or Oldsmobile-built 403 in³ (6.6 L) with 185 hp. California models had a 170 hp Oldsmobile 350.^[2] Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The B platform, or B-body, was General Motors full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... The 1967 Toronados 425 V8, the first front-wheel drive V8 application. ... Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ... Turbo-Hydramatic is the registered tradename of an automatic transmission developed and produced by General Motors. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The B platform, or B-body, was General Motors full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform. ... The Buick LeSabre was a full-size car made by the Buick division of General Motors from 1959-2005. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... The 1967 Toronados 425 V8, the first front-wheel drive V8 application. ... The 1967 Toronados 425 V8, the first front-wheel drive V8 application. ...

For 1978, a special "LXXV" edition was released to commemorate Buick's 75th anniversary on the market. Special two-tone paint schemes and additional luxury features were made standard on this package.

Sales were up modestly to 26,138 for 1977 and then fell to 20,535 for 1978^[1], although this was strictly a stopgap model until the all-new E-body cars would be ready for 1979. The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ...

Sixth generation (1979-1985)

Sixth generation
Production	1979-1985
Body style(s)	2-door convertible 2-door coupe
Platform	E-body
Engine(s)	231 in³ Buick V6 252 in³ Buick V6 307 in³ Oldsmobile V8 350 in³ Buick V8 350 in³ Oldsmobile diesel V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed TH-350 automatic 4-speed THM325-4L automatic
Wheelbase	114.0 in
Length	206.0 in

1979 saw the debut of the first front wheel drive Riviera on a trimmer, 114 in (2,896 mm) wheelbase, once again sharing its mechanical design and platform with the Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Toronado. The Olds 403 and 350 were dropped, but the Buick 350 remained, as did a new turbocharged Buick V6 of 231 in³ (3.8 L) displacement with 185 hp. The Riviera became Motor Trend's Car of the Year. Sales more than doubled, to 52,181 for 1979 and 48,621 for the very similar 1980 models.^[2] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1383x672, 101 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Buick Riviera Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... Saab 900 Convertible 1962 Rambler American Convertible can also refer to a convertible (security) A convertible (sometimes called cabriolet in British English) is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof (aka soft top or top in USA, hood in UK). ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... The Buick V6 engine family, sometimes called the Fireball, is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. ... The Buick V6 engine family, sometimes called the Fireball, is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. ... The 1967 Toronados 425 V8, the first front-wheel drive V8 application. ... Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... The 1967 Toronados 425 V8, the first front-wheel drive V8 application. ... Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ... Turbo-Hydramatic is the registered tradename of an automatic transmission developed and produced by General Motors. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Front wheel drive is the most common form of engine/transmission layout used in modern passenger cars, where the engine drives the front wheels. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... The Eldorado model was part of the Cadillac line from 1953 to 2002. ... The Toronado was produced by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors from 1966 to 1992. ... Air foil bearing-supported turbocharger cutaway made by Mohawk Innovative Technology Inc. ... The Buick V6 engine family, sometimes called the Fireball, is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... Motor Trend is one of the oldest automotive magazines still publishing. ... Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best automobile. ...

1981 saw the Turbo renamed T-Type and the demise of the 350 engine in favor of the Oldsmobile-built 307 in³ (5.0 L) with 140 hp. The standard engine was now Buick's 125 hp 252 in³ V6, and a new option was an Oldsmobile diesel engine with a mere 105 hp. offered through 1985. The 1967 Toronados 425 V8, the first front-wheel drive V8 application. ... Diesel or diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of fuel oil (mostly petroleum) that is used as fuel in a diesel engine invented by German engineer Rudolf Diesel. ...

Rear view of the Riviera convertible

1982 also saw the first-ever Riviera convertible, although relatively few were built, owing to very high prices. A turbocharged Riviera convertible was chosen to be the pace car at the 1983 Indianapolis 500, although most convertible Rivieras had the V8 engine. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1164x525, 86 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Buick Riviera Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1164x525, 86 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Buick Riviera Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Saab 900 Convertible 1962 Rambler American Convertible can also refer to a convertible (security) A convertible (sometimes called cabriolet in British English) is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof (aka soft top or top in USA, hood in UK). ... “Indy 500” redirects here. ...

Overall sales made the 1980s Riviera a great success, reaching 65,305 for the 1985 model year.^[1]

Seventh generation (1986-1993)

Seventh generation
Production	1986-1993
Body style(s)	2-door coupe
Platform	E-body
Engine(s)	231 in³ Buick V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed THM440-T4 automatic
Wheelbase	108 in
Length	187.2 in
Width	71.6 in
Height	53.5
Curb weight	3309 lbs

The E-body coupes were converted to unit body construction and further downsized for 1986, to a 108 in (2,743 mm) wheelbase shared with the Buick Regal. The V6 was now the only engine, rated initially at 142 SAE horsepower and 200 ft-lb of torque. It used the Turbo-Hydramatic 440-T4 automatic with a 2.84:1 final drive ratio. This generation was noted for advanced electronic instrumentation, including the first automotive touchscreen controls, which were on a dash-mounted 9-inch CRT display. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard. The Riviera placed fourth for Motor Trend's 1986 Car of the Year contest. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x528, 97 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Buick Riviera Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... The Buick V6 engine family, sometimes called the Fireball, is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. ... Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ... The Turbo-Hydramatic 125 was the first in a line of automatic transmissions from General Motors designed for transverse engine application. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Kerb (sometimes mis-spelled as curb by Americans) weight is the total weight of a vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating consumables (such as motor oil and coolant), a full tank of fuel and not loaded with either passengers or cargo. ... The General Motors E platform (commonly called the E-body) was a personal luxury car automobile platform produced from 1966 to 2002. ... Monocoque (French for single (mono) and shell (coque)) is a construction technique that supports structural load using an objects external skin. ... The Buick Regal was a mid-size automobile produced by General Motors Buick division from 1973 through 2004, during which Buick also used the Century name on mid-size models; the two frequently shared bodies and powertrains. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... It has been suggested that Touch panel be merged into this article or section. ... Motor Trend is one of the oldest automotive magazines still publishing. ...

The smaller dimensions, generic styling, and lack of V8 power soured buyers, and sales plummeted to 22,138 for 1986, only 15,223 for 1987, and a dismal 8,625 for 1988. A restyle for 1989 that added 11 inches (279 mm) to the overall length (on an unchanged wheelbase) helped, but only incrementally, boosting sales to 21,189 for 1989, but dropping to a low of 4,555 for 1993, the shortened final year of that model.^[1] The last 1993 Riviera rolled off the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant line on December 10, 1992. Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly is a General Motors automobile factory in Hamtramck, Michigan. ...

Eighth generation (1995-1999)

Eighth generation
Production	1995-1999
Body style(s)	2-door coupe
Platform	G-body
Engine(s)	231 in³ Buick V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed 4T60-E automatic 4-speed 4T65-E automatic
Wheelbase	113.8 in
Length	207.0 in
Width	75.0 in
Height	55.2 in
Curb weight	3788 lb

There was no 1994 Riviera, but a restyled, larger model returned for 1995, now with the option of a supercharged version of the 3800 V6 rated at 225 hp. The new Rivieras were built in Lake Orion, Michigan. The very first 1995 Riviera rolled off the assembly line on May 23, 1994. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1167x549, 86 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Buick Riviera Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The General Motors G platform (also called G-Body) automobile platform name was used twice. ... The Buick V6 engine family, sometimes called the Fireball, is a large V6 engine used by General Motors. ... Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ... The 4T60-E (and similar 4T65-E) is a series of automatic transmissions from General Motors. ... The 4T60-E (and similar 4T65-E) is a series of automatic transmissions from General Motors. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Kerb (sometimes mis-spelled as curb by Americans) weight is the total weight of a vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating consumables (such as motor oil and coolant), a full tank of fuel and not loaded with either passengers or cargo. ... A supercharger (also known as a blower) is an air compressor used to force more air (and hence more oxygen) into the combustion chamber(s) of an internal combustion engine than can be achieved at ambient atmospheric pressure (natural aspiration). ... Downtown Lake Orion Lake Orion (pronounced OR-ee-un) is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ...

1996 brought an increase in horsepower on the supercharged versions to 240 hp and 280 lb-ft (380 N·m) of torque. 1997 saw revisions to the suspension which lightened the car and gave it more nimble handling. For 1998, the supercharged engine became standard. GM's OnStar service was added as an option, and a few interior changes were made. OnStar is a subscription-based communications, monitoring and tracking service provided by General Motors. ...

1999 was the last model year for the Riviera, a very short one, production ceasing on November 25, 1998. The final 200 cars had special silver paint and trim and were denoted "Silver Arrow" models, a designation which harkened back to several Silver Arrow show cars that had been built off Riviera bodies by Bill Mitchell.

2007 Concept-car

Buick showed at the Shanghai Motor Show, a concept-car called Riviera [1]

References

--> Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (89th in leap years). ... --> Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Gunnell, John, Ed.: Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1946-1975, Rev. 4/E., Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. Buick is a brand of automobile built in the United States, Canada, China and in Spain by General Motors Corporation. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest auto company by annual production volume as of 2006, and the second largest by sales volume as of the first half of 2007, behind Toyota Motor Corporation. ... AMC Gremlin A subcompact car is an automobile in a vehicle size class smaller than a compact car but larger than a city car (and known as superminis in Europe). ... There have been two small cars from Buick called the SkyHawk or Skyhawk: 1975-1980 RWD Chevrolet Monza clone (H-body) 1982-1989 FWD Chevrolet Cavalier clone (J-body) Categories: Buick vehicles | Front wheel drive vehicles | Rear wheel drive vehicles ... There have been two small cars from Buick called the SkyHawk or Skyhawk: 1975-1980 RWD Chevrolet Monza clone (H-body) 1982-1989 FWD Chevrolet Cavalier clone (J-body) Categories: Buick vehicles | Front wheel drive vehicles | Rear wheel drive vehicles ... The Rambler American introduced in the late 1950s was an early compact car. ... The Buick Somerset was a 2-door coupe produced by the Buick Division of General Motors between 1985 and 1987. ... The Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. ... The Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. ... The Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. ... A mid-size car, frequently referred to as an intermediate, is an automobile with a size between that of a compact and a full-size or standard-size car. ... Buick Century is a model name used by the Buick division of General Motors for a line of fullsize performance vehicles from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958; Buick also used the Century name from 1973 to 2004 for its value-added midsize cars. ... Buick Century is a model name used by the Buick division of General Motors for a line of fullsize performance vehicles from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958; Buick also used the Century name from 1973 to 2004 for its value-added midsize cars. ... Buick Century is a model name used by the Buick division of General Motors for a line of fullsize performance vehicles from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958; Buick also used the Century name from 1973 to 2004 for its value-added midsize cars. ... The Buick Regal was a mid-size automobile produced by General Motors Buick division from 1973 through 2004, during which Buick also used the Century name on mid-size models; the two frequently shared bodies and powertrains. ... The Buick Regal was a mid-size automobile produced by General Motors Buick division from 1973 through 2004, during which Buick also used the Century name on mid-size models; the two frequently shared bodies and powertrains. ... The Buick Regal was a mid-size automobile produced by General Motors Buick division from 1973 through 2004, during which Buick also used the Century name on mid-size models; the two frequently shared bodies and powertrains. ... The Buick LaCrosse is a Buick automobile model introduced in the United States for the 2005 model year. ... 2001 BMW 750iL A full-size car is a term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car, usually having a wheelbase greater than 2. ... The Buick LeSabre was a full-size car made by the Buick division of General Motors from 1959-2005. ... The Buick LeSabre was a full-size car made by the Buick division of General Motors from 1959-2005. ... The Buick LeSabre was a full-size car made by the Buick division of General Motors from 1959-2005. ... The Buick LeSabre was a full-size car made by the Buick division of General Motors from 1959-2005. ... The Buick Lucerne is a full-size car sold by the Buick division of General Motors that replaces the Park Avenue and the LeSabre in 2006. ... The Buick Electra and the Buick Electra 225 were full-size premium automobiles built by the Buick division of General Motors. ... The Buick Electra and the Buick Electra 225 were full-size premium automobiles built by the Buick division of General Motors. ... The Park Avenue was Buicks flagship sedan from 1975 to 1990 as a trim level on the fullsize Electra and as a distinct model from 1991 to 2005, succeeding the Electra entirely. ... The Park Avenue was Buicks flagship sedan from 1975 to 1990 as a trim level on the fullsize Electra and as a distinct model from 1991 to 2005, succeeding the Electra entirely. ... Buick used the Estate name on their full-size station wagons. ... The Roadmaster was an automobile built by the Buick division of General Motors. ... A crossover SUV (also called CUV for Crossover Utility Vehicle) or XUV (not to be confused with GMCs Envoy XUV) is an automobile with a sport utility vehicle appearance but is built upon a more economical and fuel-efficient unibody construction. ... The Buick Rendezvous, introduced in the spring of 2001 as a 2002 model year vehicle and produced through the present, is a sport utility vehicle produced by the Buick division of General Motors. ... The Buick Enclave (and similar GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook) is a full-size crossover SUV to be launched for the 2008 model year by the Buick division of General Motors. ... A fourth-generation (2006-) Ford Explorer, the best-selling mid-size SUV in the United States. ... The Buick Rainier is a mid-size SUV from General Motors. ... Lloyd LT 600, a vintage minivan 05 Mercury Monterey minivan Buick GL8, sold exclusively in China A minivan, multi-purpose vehicle, people-carrier, people-mover or multi-utility vehicle is a type of automobile similar in shape to a van that is designed for personal use and has between four... The Chevrolet Uplander is a minivan from General Motors. ... The Buick Reatta was a hand-made luxurious sports coupe produced at the Reatta Craft Centre in Lansing, Michigan and sold by the Buick division of General Motors from early 1988 to 1991. ...

See also

• Riviera Owners Association has many helpful links for Riviera information, including more in depth articles on the Riviera History, production figures and dimensions.
• V8 Buick.com has many helpful members for Riviera information
• Buick-Riviera.com has information on the 1971-1973 Rivieras
• Green Boattail also has information on the 1971-1973 Rivieras Boattails
• BluntGraffix.com - Buick Riviera Gallery 63 - 73
• Riviera Performance forum & discussion board for the Riviera by Buick, primarily the '95-99 supercharged.