Model History: Buick Riviera

A look at the progression of the Buick Riviera, from 1949 to 1999.

[@joshuas8258]

The 63 is a work of art. Truly one of the most stunning cars of all time

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I'm sure it stood out at its introduction.

[@GaryGrube1]

Yes! I remember the 1st time I saw one parked on the street. It was hands down the most advanced look of its time!

[@williamschoemann4209]

I had a '63 in '76. I knew at the time that it would become a classic, but I was young. I bought the only new car I've ever purchased. Boy, I'd love to have a '63 Riviera today.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

That's cool. I'd love to be able to afford a '63 Riviera today.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@ williamschoemann4209 Ha! When I think of the 1930's - 1950's Packards, and Hudson my father owned .... If only we had known! .... 😁 (My first new car was a '63 VW Bug. But I had wanted a Riviera since the 1950's. Tough to buy a Riviera on a teacher's salary)

[@Rico_G]

"...it'll probably be an SUV". Very true, very sad. Thank you for and keep up the great work. This channel will hit big some day.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Thanks. It has already happened to the Electra, Airflow, the Hornet, and the Eclipse.

[@RivetGardener]

One of Detroit's most beautiful cars of the 20th Century, I think. The styling is timeless and almost metal-art on wheels. The evolution to the hidden headlights elevated its beauty. From '66 on the styling fell off slightly, however still exciting for the time. Thanks for sharing your video!

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Thanks for watching.

[@STRAIGHTP]

I own a 65 and knew a lot about it's history. BUT, this video told me some things i never knew. Well done. My opinion is biased but i just think its the sexiest thing GM ever made. I can just sit in my garage and stare at it for hours

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I understand.

[@stevesmith6236]

I've owned six Rivs. Three were parts cars, the others were driven by me on the road. My very first car was a 1967 in Riviera Red with a black vinyl top and bone white interior. I was 18 years old at the time and was a senior in high school. It was 1973. Still love the second gen Rivs.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

It is interesting how distinctive the early Rivs were, yet so many people don't know what they are.

[@JohnGruber-di3cw]

Those Buicks of the 40s,50s,60s, and 70s were true American icons. Big,Bad, and Beautiful. GREAT CARS.

[@morgunstyles7253]

One of the most beautiful ever, ever, ever.

[@OLDS98]

Excellent! Once again you hit all the points. I liked how you spoke about the different generations. The photos were excellent too. I smiled every time you mentioned the Oldsmobile Toronado and just Oldsmobile connection. You really put a lot of work into these videos and it indeed shows. I was singing "Riviera is back" from the 1989 -1990 Buick commercials. The downsized era was indeed rough all GM brands except Chevrolet. It is interesting to note how it went back up in size in 1995 to be like the 1979-1985 models. I think the 1989-1993 models were good too. Some of the ones from the 70's were hit with an ugly stick. Everyone knows as you said the 1977-1978 was a place holder and nothing but a dressed up LeSabre coupe. Talk about parts sharing. The 1963-1965 will always be classic Buick and a looker too. I liked how you started with the nameplate from the 50's and discussed how Cadillac almost got it as LaSalle. Thank you again.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I know you have been waiting patiently for me to get around to a Buick, so I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@OLDS98]

@@thehopelesscarguy Thank you so much again. It is appreciated. I am still hopeful on some others I would like to see as well.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Top notch car video!💕💕👍👍 I always wanted a 50's Riviera land yacht😁 Thx. 😊😊

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Thank you.

[@allisons3663]

I took my driver's test in a 1977 Riviera with a 403 Olds engine. Great car, thought my favorites are the '79 - '85 models, especially the convertible.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

Great video! 70 is my favorite, I've had mine for over 30 years!

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Nice.

[@fireballrobbie1744]

I had a 70 for over 10 years. I miss that car.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@fireballrobbie1744 They are great cars! It looks different from the other Rivieras. It's the first year for the 455, and the only year that engine was high compression, so it had more HP and tourqe than any other Riviera! What color was yours? Mine is stratomist blue, blue interior, black top.

[@fireballrobbie1744]

@@allenscarsandstuff Silver with black interior & black top shorty fender skirts bucket seats fully loaded. I had the motor upgrade a little. It was fast & beautiful. I wish I still had it.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

@@fireballrobbie1744 I bet.

[@DISGUYROX]

I have owned and LOVED 5 middle 60's rivs~a 63, THREE 1965'S and a '67. The 65's ARE STIL my most favoruite car I have ever owned and fondled;) What is still the worst experience in my life was when I replaced the engie in my '65 by myself in my driveway and woke up the next morning to find it gone. I never saw it again AND HAVE NEVER GOTTEN OVER IT. I'm 85 and would STILL like to find a '65 GS. I have a '93 Jaguar XJS roadster convertible now and do like it a lot. I've had it coast to coast more than once but, it is NO '65 GS which is the most absolutely perfect American car ever built.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I understand.

[@tolerbearALTII]

My favorite is the 1965 GS with the bucket front seats with the horseshoe shifter. It was so awesome. Those clam shell headlights and the lines of the car! I wonder what a coupe version of that car would do to give Buick the edge for the sports car they need today? I'd never be able to afford it but I'll bet it would be awesome. I doubt GM would do it because it would probably compete with the Corvette.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Would be interesting.

[@yuriykhasidov1626]

Love you’re videos. You throw nothing but facts and knowledge!

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Thanks, I try.

[@brianmoore6306]

Like most people I dislike the styling of 1970. They missed the mark on that one...but the very next year they redeemed themselves...until the bubble mobile towards the end. Wonderful video. Lots of information. Thanks!

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Thank you. The 1970 model had kind of grown on me, but it took awhile.

[@davidallen5776]

The first two generations were definitive!

[@staceyfromkc]

GREAT VIDEO👍

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Thanks again.

[@donnovicki9771]

With the car running, you could take the keys out of the ignition and go unlock the trunk if you needed something. You could also drive the car without the keys if you didn't put the ignition in the "lock" position when you shut it down. 7mpg/city maybe 10mpg highway if you were lucky. I'm talking 1963.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

GM ignition switches were a bit, um, adaptable.

[@ricknorton1732]

Riviera lost me after 1969... Before that they were cool....

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Seems to be the popular opinion.

[@raynabozny2338]

My parents had a 66 but 65 is my favorite

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Mine too.

[@JohnGruber-di3cw]

I don't agree at all with those that don't like the 70 Riv. Rivieras all looked great from 63 to 76. Beyond that,They started chopping,downsizing,and rounding them off.Anyways,I had a 70 Riviera GS and it looked cool to me. Long flowing hood,great looking body side mouldings,nice grill,and kickass looking tailiights. I also had those great looking chrome Buick mag style wheels. Enough for the aesthetics. It had the most potent 455 engine without all those engine choking emission controls,and an electronic fuel pump in the fuel tank.Enormous torque. 510 ft.lbs. I could literally burn tires clean off the rim.LOL I easily buried the speedo also. I agree it wasn't the best styled Riv but it was far from ugly. I also know it was the strongest running Riv. HANDS DOWN!!!!

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I like the early 70s Rivs.

[@Mark1405Leeds]

The '63 styling was cool - everything after was down hill!

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I would give them at least through 73.

[@randylucas2458]

My 53 Buick special Riviera was a "shine" car

[@johnd8892]

At 1:15i am surprised to see a right hand drive version. Confirmed to be an Australian likely private import by the Victorian state number plates from the early sixties. I had thought General Motors Holden had stopped assembly of Buicks by about 1951 unless this is some less documented special order for local high up state politicians who preferred taxpayer funded Buicks since they were not paying.

[@deepwood4]

No Wildcat videos? Would love to see one.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

An interesting idea.

[@deepwood4]

@@thehopelesscarguy Mom had one of those too. Teal/blue and white with white leather and chrome everywhere. Big motor.

[@howebrad4601]

Of gm would actually make some of the concept cars they showed here they would be dynamite. However typically by the time they make production they would bear only a passing resemblance to the concept car

[@thehopelesscarguy]

GM has always been a victim of too many people making changes before products make it to market.

[@jamesmorris913]

Two things I could never figure out, about Riviera from '63 forward: Why was Wildcat continued, since it was just a "hot" LeSabre? And if you could afford a Wildcat..you certainly could afford a Riv. Secondly..why was there never a '63 (and forward) Riviera convertible, until the 80s??

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I hear you.

[@Stantonv]

The early roadmaster riviera had a straight 8 engine.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

Did I say V8?

[@TwinOaksYoungHarris]

@@thehopelesscarguy Yes, you said V-8. I drove a '50 for many years with the straight-8 and the Dynaflow. OK, so the Dynaflow was kind of a dog, but the straight 8 had great torque.

[@JDCOOK85]

Do the Pontiac Catalina please.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I will add it to my list if it is not already there.

[@JDCOOK85]

Please include 4 door variants. Great work very entertaining. Thank you.

[@jimmiesmith5811]

I never cared for 77-78 model the 79-85 was good the 75-76 I'd like and the 66-70 were good the 90s were hit and miss the 93 was ok

[@jayartz8562]

Up until '73 they're all glorious, after that they kind of lose the plot.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

A bit generic after 73.

[@fireballrobbie1744]

To me the best year is 1970 , Then 69.

[@thehopelesscarguy]

I understand.