Buick Riviera - a car that was produced in the United States from 1963 to 1999. In total, there were more than 1,100,000 of these machines in the world. They were loved for their great design and excellent technical specifications.
Today, the Buick Riviera is a luxury, retro car that can only be found in collections. After all, it is quite expensive. The very first generations of this model can be purchased for at least 2,500,000 rubles and more.
A bit of history
For the first time, the Buick Riviera model appeared in 1949. It was one of the first two-core hardtops. True, the more accurate name of the car sounded like a Buick Roadmaster Riviera.
And in the 1950s, General Motors decided to construct an independent car that would be a luxury one. And the first Riviera was released as a model of the Cadillac XP-715. The style of the new car was incredibly elegant: a pointed nose, low rise. No wonder he quickly gained popularity. The Cadillac management did not agree for any further changes. It was enough for him that this model also sold great.
That is why in the 1960s, the model with many changes migrated to the Buick brand. On the design side, the differences were minimal.
First generation
The Buick Riviera of the first generation was distinguished by a special body. The car engine could be 2 options:
The model had a unique automatic transmission, characterized by the presence of twin turbines. The brakes had a hydraulic booster.
In October 1962, the Buick Riviera was presented to the audience. The minimum price of the model was 4,333 US dollars. The following year, the company's specialists developed more powerful car options than created a splash among motorists. The maximum speed the new car could develop up to 185 km / h.
Today, the first generation of the Riviera is considered very valuable among collectors. Indeed, at the time of its appearance, this car was the most luxurious and beautiful among all American cars.
Second generation
The year 1966 was marked by the release of a model in a new design. The body became more figured, slightly lengthened and expanded. At the same time, there was no ventilation window. Due to the large size and increased weight category with the same engine, acceleration in the car has become much slower. Thanks to this update, sales of the model instantly jumped.
The 1967 Buick Riviera came out with a new engine. It was a new V8 engine with a capacity of 360 liters. from. He showed real performance wonders. When operating a car, fuel consumption has decreased significantly. This also could not affect the sales of cars - they have grown significantly.
Changes in the Buick Riviera occurred annually. In 1968, a more rounded bumper design appeared. In 1969, the mesh grille changed its pattern, and the side lights took on a different shape. In 1970, the designers tried, and a completely different car in terms of styling came out. Inside, the engine was noticeably improved.
Third generation
In 1971, the "Riviera" was released again in an updated design. It was developed by Bill Mitchell and Jerry Hirschberg. The result - the car has lost its sporty character. And the main advantage of the new generation is the appearance of Max Trac. This is a special traction control system that did not allow slipping during a trip on a slippery road.
The Buick Riviera of 1972 barely changed. At the same time, sales fell significantly. Therefore, they began to produce a car in smaller quantities.
The third generation of Buick Riviera was unsuccessful, so the creators thought about changing the characteristics of the model.
Next generations
A total of 8 generations of the Buick Riviera were produced. Each time something changed in him: either internal content, then appearance. As a result, in 1995, a model with a powerful engine was released. The car accelerates to 60 km / h in just 7 seconds. In this case, the car appeared impressive dimensions. The result was a kind of sleeper - very powerful, but at the same time inconspicuous on city roads. In addition, it has become as economical as possible in the consumption of fuel.
In 2007, at the Shanghai Motor Show, the attention of many visitors was riveted by the new Riviera concept car. In 2013, the next version of the model was again presented at the auto show. Both machines were developed by PATAC. They combine a pleasant retro appearance and modern electronics. This is a kind of revival of the Buick Riviera model.
Reviews
About Buick Riviera owners reviews are versatile. Of course, this is a luxurious model that not everyone can afford. The older the car, the more expensive it costs. But everyone who hunts for it wants to get their copy at all costs. Most often these are collectors who rarely use Buick to move around.