Buick Riviera

The Buick Riviera appeared with the catalog of the American mark Buick in 1949. Name indicates the model " hardtop" (without central amounts) of Roadmaster.

In 1950, the use of this name extended to the other Buick models without central amounts and to certain Super models and Roadmaster 4 doors sedan.

From 1955 to 1958, the name Riviera was used to indicate models 2 and 4 doors hardtop without central amounts with the exeption of Century Caballero 1957-1958 which were station-wagon without central amounts.

From 1959 to 1962, the name Riviera with considering its use reduced to only one model of the range Electra 225. It was the model 4 doors " hardtop with six vitres".

In 1963, the name Riviera made its appearance on the news " personal car of luxe" of Buick. Although smaller than the other large models of Buick, Riviera shared its mechanics and its suspension with those.

A new version " Gran Sport" more powerful of Riviera appeared in 1965.

In 1966, Riviera, which until there did not have candidates among other divisions of General Motors, was redrawn and shared its carossery with Oldsmobile Toronado. Of a very different design, Riviera preserved the propulsion and remained much more popular than Toronado. In 1967, Cadillac Eldorado lately redrawn was added to the list of the candidates but as it was also a traction, it compétitionnait of advantage with Toronado that with Riviera. Riviera also received new V8 of 7 liters (430 cubic inches) which replaced the engines V8 401 and 425 cubic inches whose origins went back to 1953. In 1970, the carossery which had undergone few changes since 1966 seemed heavier because of the addition of skirts of wings to the back and modifications with before and the back which gave this impression. However, the engine 430 Buick was extended to 455 cubic inches (7.5 liters). In 1971, Riviera was completely redrawn and its line did not leave anybody indifferent. The disc brakes with before which were in option since 1967 were maitenant standard and the suspension was completely new.

In 1974, carossery was redrawn not to displease with certain purchasers who found the model preceding a little too eccentric but the sales did not increase for as much. For the first time since 1954, the name Riviera was found on a car which had central amounts because all Riviera had fixed back ices now. Version GS (Gran Sport) was abolished after 1975 and was replaced by a version S/R which lasted only one year.

The model 1977 reduced and the engine 455 Buick which was standard the previous year was highest offerer. In the place, the standard engine was the 350 Buick (5.7liters) and the 403 (6.6L) of Oldsmobile origin was offered in option. and in 1979, Riviera became a traction it too. A more sporting model was offered again and called S/Type. For the first time, Riviera was available with an engine V6 Buick 3.8 liters turbocompressé which was standard on S/Type whereas the other models received V8 350 Oldsmobile different from that of 1978 which was done by Buick. In 1981, this model at summer renamed T/Type. In 1982, a convertible version appeared for the first time on this model.

In 1986, Riviera lately redrawn was available only with V6 3.8 Buick liters (not turbocompressé) and received a touchscreen which was used to order the radio, the air-conditioning and other functions of the car. This screen was not very liked and disappeared on the models 1990. After one year of absence, Riviera was reintroduced in 1995 and the new model was available with V6 3.8liters to compressor coming from the model Park Avenue Ultra. In certain markets, overfed V6 was standard since 1995 and possibly, it was standard on all Riviera. The last year of production of this model is 1999.

Random links: