Buick Riviera Classic Cars Images

Riviera was marketed either as a coupe or a luxury car by the company. The model spanned across 8 generations during 1963-1999 and sold over 1,100,000 units during this period.



All Riviera models produced after 1979 were only all wheel drive models, while the ones produced before 1979 were a mix of both front wheel and all wheel drives.



Riviera coupes competed with the likes of Oldsmobile Toronado and the personal luxury model edition saw its rival in models like Cadillac Eldorado.



Though, today we don’t have a new Riviera to look into, the model was for sure a legendary one and is worth reviewing for various reasons.



The Buick Riviera appeared in the catalog of the American brand Buick in 1949 . The name refers to the model “hardtop” (without Pillar) of the Roadmaster.

In 1950, the use of the name has spread to other Buick models without center posts and some models Super and Roadmaster 4 Door Sedan.

From 1955 to 1958, the name Riviera was used to refer to models 2 and 4 door hardtop with no center posts with the exception of Century Caballero 1957-1958 who were no break-pillars.

The model received some latest styling tweaks. Front grilles were upgraded and the interiors too got better equipped.



The 6.6 litre V8 engine was dropped from the line up and so was the 7.3 litre engine. An even more power pumping 7.5 lire V8 debuted this year.



The second generation Riviera went on to become more successful than its earlier generation models, with sales figures almost getting doubled.