This 1984 Buick Riviera Was The Most Successful Riv Ever And A Rare Early Win For Downsizing

00:00 Start
00:04 Night Drive
00:23 Startup and headlights
00:56 Intro - Sebring, drunk, weather, animals
03:08 Start of actual car review
08:21 Events of 1984
14:15 Back to the car - exterior
21:19 Birds, Omicron, Corona Whiskey
23:01 Back end, trunk
24:48 Underhood, engine options
27:30 Interior
32:20 Startup and test drive
38:16 Highway drive
This generation of Riviera is very near and dear to me, because a gleaming 1985 model was my second car, and carried me through some very debaucherous years. Apparently the rest of America loved it to, because it was the most successful Riviera model made, and handily outsold its sister cars, the Eldorado and Toronado. While it was the first front wheel drive Riv, and in fact, the first front drive Buick - the good looks of the car made it a very easy sell.
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[@postmodernrecycler]

Love this car. Always think of my uncle from Miami with a cigar driving it to the strip joint. He still wore all his '70s shirts well into the '90s. Probably dealt coke at some point.

[@theboyisnotright6312]

The cool uncle😎

[@bbrenddon]

That’s the only way to live

[@31847448]

Somehow I see plaid polyester golf slacks and a polyester Hawaiian shirt with white shoes on your uncle . Cool daddy-O

[@31847448]

If I had it , I’d buy this great car. Wow! Love it, Bill !

[@randyluca6339]

My brother in law used to sell Buicks back in the 70’s and 80’s and I used to love it when he would bring a new Riv over to the house so I could test drive them. Buicks are great riding cars. He and my sister drove a white Riv convertible on their wedding day. Great memories. Thanks Bill, your videos are “da bomb”.

[@veronicahawthorne3452]

Wow, does this car take me back! 1984, the year I graduated high school. I knew lots of kids whose parents had this exact car. Riding in these cars was a dream, so cushy and soft, like a Cadillac, very smooth, quiet ride. God, what I wouldn’t give to own one of these now. I love driving cars that look unique and unlike the “bubble cars” and SUVs everyone drives now. That steering wheel though..hmmm, I don’t ever remember that wheel. That might be a replacement from a sportier model. The steering wheels I remember in these cars was simpler looking and more elegant. At any rate, I’d still kill to have this beauty in my garage to drive everyday. Great video Bill! Please keep them coming! PS...just like you, I’d give up my electronics and internet and go back to the 80s in a split second! It was the time of my youth, a much funner, simpler, carefree time.

[@northwoodsmanbybobolink336]

My wife was class of ‘84 also.👍

[@silverstacker11]

amen to that the 80s were great, these times are intolerable

[@veronicahawthorne3452]

@@silverstacker11 ...I hear you! We now live on a world where the dollar store is $1.25...ugh! 😡

[@michaelmcgill6210]

The steering wheel was an optional wheel. my father custom ordered an 83 and an 85 before the junk of 86. Both had that wheel and it was a nice sporty wheel which would be used later on the buick gn and t types.

[@aaronwilliams6989]

I'm class of 1984, too.

[@MultiMusicbuff]

Back in '84 i was hoping i could afford one later as a used car but that was just a dream.They ran high because everyone wanted them used.They did not last on used car lots. You are spot on about 1984.It was the year i immigrated from Germany.It was a different world,carefree and just having fun.The Riviera was one of the first things that caught my attention.There was a Buick dealer in my neighborhood and i would go there after hours just admiring the elegant shape of this car.

[@gclarkbloomfield8848]

...oh yeah, Fred....confessions of a true "car guy"...🤔😉😎

[@paulparoma]

Undoubtedly one of the most elegant, graceful cars ever made anywhere. A timeless beauty. I wish I had the garage space.

[@stephenschenider4007]

80's Buicks are finally getting shine these past couple years.

[@fredb711]

When our family first arrived in the US in September 1982, my Dad’s business partner picked us up at the airport in his then new Riviera. The first American car I ever rode in. I was a 14 year old French kid who had only ever been in my parents’ Simcas and Citroens and the occasional Renault. What a car that Buick was. I love all your videos. You fucking crack me up. Don’t know how you find these gems. Keep them coming.

[@_benz4lyfe]

Another classic Bill. Thanks for allowing us into your time capsules and taking us back in time. 1984 was arguably the best year of my life, 10th grade and no worries at all. 😂😂

[@billace90]

It was also the best year of my life. Got divorced!!!!

[@henrysniper8481]

My best year, I married the love of my life.

[@EricWallwin]

Mom gave me her 1985 Riviera in 1988..I was in my mid 20s ..I felt like I was a Grandpa driving it but what a fantastic automobile ...My partner and I took alot of Road Trips with it and in style.. I sold it and bought a 1988 Olds Cutlass International .. a more younger suited car.. Thanks Bill ..

[@thomasalexander9393]

She is a beauty Bill. Always loved this gen Riveria along with same gen Eldorado. So classy, elegant cruiser. Still a big fan of personal luxury coupes.

[@chrisallen7911]

This was one of the most beautiful cars of the last century, certainly of the last half. I was just 14 when they came out and thought them the most beautiful cars ever. By the time I could afford one, they were all worn out or something to be collected.

[@lamarbuckner7110]

I totally agree. Don’t think anything has ever come close to the mid 80s Riviera. And if Buick ever re issued a car like this design and called it Riviera I would be at the dealership next day to buy one.

[@cbruno12180]

I had a 79 burgundy color I learned how to drive in the car my parents had it loved it drove so smooth too and in the winter it was fwd and plowed thru snow like nothing was just a great car no issues we drove that car to 175k miles no problems

[@terryrobertson111]

I looked at buying one of these a few times but Buick sent them all out of the factory with soft cam lobes and all of them would need top end engine work before 60,000 miles.

[@egold2071]

Only 39 minutes?! Ah well, we all deeply appreciate a fresh dose of Bill, even if it is a 'quick take'. 😉 🥃

[@henrystowe6217]

His last two were barely 30 minutes. 40 to 50 is a sweet spot

[@mikemurphy7277]

When he puts on the headlights it reminds me of the movie Christine

[@stephanechamberland8486]

It's not Billy Joel at 33:13 , it's Bob Seger ! 😁

[@zaxxon25]

33 1/3 ... great timing

[@stephanechamberland8486]

@@zaxxon25 😂

[@killerb4202]

My parents had one when i was about 14 years old. Was a beautiful cranberry red color with matching vinyl top and interior. Had the wire wheel hubcaps with white letters and looked great!! Ours had the 350 and i remember my mom melting the front tires off it many a time 😂

[@christopherjones512]

The best buick made

[@glenntremblay5406]

That would be a perfect size motor for these cars. Can you imagine feeding it an LT1...that would be fun. I wonder if the tranny bolt ups the same...

[@khakiswag]

We’re the same age and my Mom had a Buick Park Avenue from this time. I instantly recognized the sound of that 307 as soon as you started it up. This was also the time GM just started using that multifunction turn signal stalk that went into the 2000’s. Buick was popular back then, we had two neighbors with Rivieras, one with a Regal and my Mom’s friend also had a Park Avenue. I remember the salesman taking a lot of time explaining what the “D’s” were for the gear selector and how overdrive worked. She must’ve thought it meant go fast because she drove the hell out of that car. Vividly remember that big body float on the interstate at speed.

[@coolkatz9012]

307 was a pig

[@willjam465]

My god…your summary of the 80’s was brilliant! I lived it too. You are spot-on as always. Another great review, Bill.

[@frjer11]

On the subject of overdrive, it simply means a gearing at which the transmission output is faster than the engine revolutions. It can be found on cars going back before WWII as an option. Almost all newer cars have at least one top end overdrive gear. The separate overdrive setting on transmissions of this period, especially GM, is because these transmissions had a habit of hunting between gears at lower speeds when in overdrive, so the manufacturers structed the driver to use D in city driving or in hills, and move to Overdrive at highway cruising speeds. Love this car, and can't wait to see it on the website. Wish I wash in the market.

[@mattcrooke8321]

I believe 4th gear in all VW beetles is actually an overdrive gear.

[@777jones]

Yes, it means a gear ratio numerically lower than 1:1, which is known as “direct drive.”

[@francislawlor4123]

Hi Bill: yeah back in 1981, my older brother bought a 1980. She was black with a black half vinyl top and crushed red velour interior.The car had a couple minor annoyances, like when ever it rained at night the aftermarket alarms would sound off at 3:00 in the morning, and wake up my neighbors. The other thing was the spoked Hubcaps, they creaked, crackled and squeaked as you drove slowly down my street. He ended up selling it a year later in "82", to a nice bleach blonde baby that looked like Debbie Harry from BLONDIE 👱‍♀️!! Oh the memories of the way we were. 😥⛈🌧🌩🔊🎵🎧🇨🇦🇮🇪🎄🎁⛄☕☕☕🚬🚬🚬

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

Oh new cars have like 5 overdrives now with 10 speed, some cars had electric overdrive then you could have same could engage it at any gear kinda cool.

[@gclarkbloomfield8848]

...great description of the why's and wherefors of overdrive!😉😎

[@tonyvargas368]

My favorite Riviera of all time. When i was a teen in SoCal, my cousin owned a white convertible model with a red interior. It was gorgeous. Now I’m in Phoenix and i see an older gentleman drive around in a cream colored hard top and its well cared for. This car is gorgeous.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

Convertible is cool coupe has strange roofline to me.

[@patcurrie9888]

That was me in my 1985 Riviera. I sold it in July 2021 with all the extra parts & it went to OH I believe. I had it 19 yrs and was my daily driver Oct - April.

[@rpsmith2990]

Loved this video! You seem to have rekindled an old affair with this one, and brought all of us along. While my plans to get a Riviera have mainly centered on the last generation of Riviera, I still find myself looking at these. Admittedly, I favor the T-Type and S-Type more, because with a clean roof and alloy wheels, it's a stunning car.

[@matthewvarnam4302]

I know someone that has a maybe 1985/86 T-type he was asking $4,500 body was in great shape. Someone told me that the turbo locked up on it but I'm not sure. But ether way it's still worth it.

[@donaldpreuss1306]

Thanks Bill! I did end up buying this car from you. It will get parked in my garage next to my 72 Boatail Riv! Jay did a great job in getting this wrapped up for me. Keep them videos coming!

[@coreykmvy1980]

How’s it running? Nice that you have a 72! I’m in the market for an 84 but it won’t be as nice as yours. Any comments about yours?

[@talldude5841]

Oh my God, my mother bought one of these for my fathers retirement gift. He worked for the federal government and got to retire at 55 years old after raising 6 kids. Who the hell retires at 55 now days? Anyway, my father loved this car and took very good care of it, and had it for years. Damn, I wish they and this car was still around. This brought back some great memories. Loved those days also. No cell phones, no computers. Glad I lived thru it. Great show, thank you.

[@brianaust8897]

What a step back to a great time. I’m apparently about 2 years older but Bill nails all that was the feel of these times. My first car out of HS in 1986 was a ‘78 Regal V6. Red on red velour everywhere. But the Riviera was a beast and beautiful. I have another 1985 (a BMW 635CSi ) today and thought 218 hp feels like very little haha. These really were the depth of the horsepower years.

[@8corymix8]

Absolutely stunning car. Brings me back for sure. Bill obviously loves & misses the 80s as much as i do. Such great, simple times

[@palletwizard]

Oh Bill, those 3 AM mission sure bring Back a lot of memories. I had a 93 Riviera E&G edition. That damn car save my life some Subaru pulled out in front of me and I T-bones him at 55 and I walked away from it. Keep up the good work can’t wait to see the next car bud congratulations on the T Bird sale!

[@Romiman1]

For me as a european Cadillac-Lover, the Riviera everytime was the most beautiful "non-Cadillac". And at least one of the very few really good looking cars of the 80s. It's a shame, Buick doesn't continue it.

[@darrylsandifer7769]

Love your videos and your sense of humor!

[@vorsprungdurchtech]

My mom had a 1980 Riviera in that exact color combo, what a great riding car! Thanks for bringing those memories back for me.

[@aramos811]

I loved this vintage Riviera and Eldorado. Beautiful design and not bad with fuel consumption. I had a 1983 Eldorado and used it as my daily driver from 2001 to 2008. I wish I had not sold it. I just did not have the horsepower I needed.

[@michaeltolsdorf865]

Yes Bill. I was the 1984 Summer Olympics Coordinator from the California Highway Patrol in Malibu, CA. My responsibility was traffic flow and event safety for the water polo athletes at Pepperdine University. 33 CHP officers specially trained to handle any effort by any person, group or gang entity to disrupt or conduct criminal activities around or at the venue. Exciting times to say the least. Buick Motor Division reps were in close contact with CHP, LAPD and LASO officials. Olympic Sam was the mascot. I have a few 1984 collectible pins given to me as part of the Olympic Committee Safety Tesm.

[@gclarkbloomfield8848]

...lucky you, Michael...Malibu Olympics memories...I lived in San Diego at the time and had tickets for one of the matches, but had to cancel due to a family emergency .. ...high times in LA history!!...

[@ryansease7066]

Positively love your channel. Discovered it a few weeks back. Your reviews are awesome and I have loved seeing cars like this that aren't as remembered as a lot of other (80s) cars, so it is nice to see some of the things you saw all of the time back in the day that were around that one might have not have paid much attention to get some well earned and deserved love. Take care and keep up the great work.

[@rlfitz3]

Riviera probably my favorite car all time from start to finish. Always a great looking specimen

[@genebigs1749]

Wow, what memories- I had this exact car, same color combo and everything back in those days, and like you Bill, I enjoyed every minute of driving that thing. I wish they would bring back the Riviera name, and some semblance of a personal luxury coupe like these were. I would throw away my stupid SUV, and my electronics and go back to the 80s in half a second flat!

[@arthurtreibs4174]

WHOEVER WRITES YOUR MONOLOGUES DESERVES AN ACADEMY AWARD, BILL. FRIGGIN' BRILLIANT. I COULD LISTEN TO YOU 24/7. KEEP IT UP FOREVER, BRO!

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

Beautiful Buick riviera from the mid 80s gotta love it

[@jamesdecino6231]

The song on the radio was Bob Seger not Billy Joel, not that it matters...I like your reviews of the cars you do because you really know what you are talking about. Some others on You Tube don't know a Buick from a hole in the ground but they go on anyway. If a video is going to be informative, it should be accurate. Kudos to you for that. I really enjoy your comments about the weather, the animals and Dalton's windshield cleanings. I get a real kick out of those comments. Keep 'em coming and thanks again.

[@palletwizard]

I almost said the same thing. I knew it was Bob. Bill can say anything and make it funny and interesting!

[@hertzair1186]

Bill is back! Great episode as usual…..we need to protect this man. Hilarious comment at 31:42..that transmission double-entendre “tranny-hump” always gives Bill an uncomfortable pause.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Protect him from what? He has plenty of storage for self-protection.

[@hertzair1186]

@@rudolphguarnacci197 ….weapon storage in the Riviera? “Eh, not so much…but whatta ya gonna do”.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

@@hertzair1186 Well, we can do what we can do. Bill probably needs the most protection from himself.

[@62DAP]

This is my second of your car reviews. On this rainy Saturday I’m having a lot fun watching the ‘84 Rivera. And I’m with you that 1984 was peak America. The ‘84 Seville I have along with the ‘85 Commemorative Eldorado are wonderful links to those years-my college years. Thank you Bill for the sharing of your work and the effort is appreciated.

[@jeffshadow2407]

My leasing company delivered one of these 1979 Riviera "S" Types to a physician at Kaiser Permanente in Anaheim Hills. It had already been selected as Motor Trend's Car of The Year for 1979.

[@rodneypidcock6903]

"Old Time Rock and Roll" is by Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band. And the "overdrive" badging just looked good. Since just a few years after this car came out, OD has pretty much been standard on everything...fuel economy demanded it. Around the same time, some cars were badged "EFI" or "Fuel Injection." Same kinda story, from just a few years later everything came with EFI.

[@guyspeedingbyou]

I was looking for someone else who caught the Billy Joel/ Bob Seger mixup! Lol

[@alexands1261]

another classic Bill. I graduated high school in 1985 and I remember the 80's so well. Thanks for bringing us back to a memory journey of that era.

[@platec4798]

I really enjoyed this review. I was a teenager when this car was new. I could relate well to your comments. Well done! Plate C

[@thed2la]

My best friend's parents owned a 1983, and growing up my friend who was 15 years old, and I was 14, would take their Riviera when they weren't home and drove it all over Detroit. I remember it being the smoothest car I've ever been in, in my life. What a car!

[@paulkeating9950]

Any day with a car review from Bill is a great day.

[@frazzleface753]

1984 was an awesome year. I was 7 and life was uncomplicated and wonderful, like an endless summer. And not a humid, shitty one 😆😎

[@ssnoc]

70’s was even better

[@tcrutch65]

You have the best cool era memory. Thanks BILL

[@weegeemike]

This car has always been on my old/classic car dream list. Riv/Toronado and a 85-87 v8 cutlass Supreme 2 door are some that I'd love to on some day.

[@scottmiller8791]

Had an 81 back in the 90s and loved it. I bought it with front end damage and bought a parts car to repair it. The first car I ever fixed up like that and I have been hooked on fixing up cars ever since. I still think about that car to this day.

[@t.b.g.504]

When the 1986 downsizing had to take place, the 1989 styling at the 21:01 mark should have been approved for 1986. Unfortunately there were orders given by the higher-ups at the time after a suggestion of better styling from half a foot of body length: 'Do not add one millimeter of length to this car.'

[@gm12551]

It takes an incompetent management team and manager to come up with an edict like that. And with Roger Smith putting fingerprints on everything it was garbage.

[@CH67guy1]

I deleted my prior comment. I misunderstood the point you were trying to get across. So therefore my reply made absolutely no sense. Yes, the 1986 Riviera was a chopped short mess. Ugly car. As was the Eldorado that year. I know sales of the Eldorado suffered as a direct result of that severe styling change and Cadillac scrambled to restyle the car to something that loyal Cadillac buyers would recognize and actually purchase.

[@gclarkbloomfield8848]

...typical GM executive suite B.S....😳🤔😜

[@studebricker2845]

@@CH67guy1 My parents had several Toronados in the 80s, but when they downsized them, they said no thanks. I remember they test drove one and we all talked about how small it was.

[@CH67guy1]

@@studebricker2845 Oh! Toronados are so cool! My aunt had a 1982. And a friend of the family had the big big Toronado. Square headlights and the extra pair of taillights at the base of the rear window. I remember when the super downsized “Toronado Trofeo” came out. Yuck. I couldn’t find anything to like about it.

[@Vini-Pizza]

I need to finish watching this video. I'm from New York and visited the Los Angeles area in the summer of 1984. We rented a burgundy Buick Riviera and it was the coolest car ever. What a chick magnet!! I'd love to go back to 1984. We were on the fringe of technology, times were good and it was great being 22 years old. Those were the days!

[@knifetrain3118]

Absolute gorgeous car! My dad had one brand new. Would love to have that car today and yes I remember everything you mentioned. Thanks for the trip back in time.

[@MrPaige222]

I remember selling a 1988 model with the cool tv screen that said RIVIERA BY BUICK in script every time you turned it on. Very futuristic.

[@courtesy2336]

I loved these cars--all three: Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado and the Oldsmobile Toronado. I had an 81 Toronado--it was my all time favorite car! It had been a converted Diesel. Beautiful, rode great! Later I had an 80 Riviera which was also nice. My favorite was truly the Toronado!

[@johnhall8364]

My dad bought a new 1980 Riviera, the year I got my drivers license so I remember it well. It was dark blue in and out and had those same wire wheelcovers. The two points that made it nicer than the one in the video was being an 80 it had a 350 rather than the 81 307. The second point was that it didn’t have the vinyl top, not only was the car cleaner looking without it it actually had a different larger quarter windows that were better proportioned. It was a beautiful looking car, especially by 80’s standards. Also the 350 olds engine with a 4 bbl was quite gutsy by 1980’s low standards. The 307 olds that followed in 81 was a dog. Funny how the chev and olds 350’s were nice torquey engines by the standard of the day and the 307, 305 replacements were really lousy feeling engines. The biggest weak point of the car was the front drive, the 350 was strong enough to make torque steer a problem. This 80-85 platform (riv, toro and eldo) did have some rust problems, primarily the frame behind the rear wheels rotted prematurely. Another rust problem was the A pillars, they were foam filled for noise suppression reasons but the foam held moisture and rotted quickly.

[@samuelthompson2605]

Bill is back!!!!!!! Bring on the weather report!!!

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

And Wild Kingdom episodes!

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

And Wild Kingdom episodes!

[@urfavhomie4sho]

I had a 84 Riviera light pinkish pearl color with Brown interior, beautiful car. 25k miles. Sold last year for 4x what I paid for it! Keep the great vids commin. You make an hour of my day at work better!

[@razorridgeback4516]

Your the best Bill. Love all your videos.

[@protorhinocerator142]

I love love LOVED this version of the Riviera. Such a classy ride. Why would they stop making it? Gorgeous car.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

Coupes are out, unfortunately.

[@lancedukel3436]

@@MisterMikeTexas Mercedes, BMW, Bentley and Rolls Royce hold my beer 😀

[@gerardmills1389]

Enjoy tour show Bill, always great! Thank you and Happy Holidays!

[@rhoigarcia1229]

Bill I've been waiting for this review. I still have the car I fell in love with back in 89, I was only 17. It was sitting there on a grocery store parking lot with a for sale sign, talk about love at first sight. It just so happens that my parents were looking to buy a car. I used all the excitement I could to get them to buy it and they did. One year later it was mine - 1980 Buick Riv - never gave it up again, still have it parked in my garage. Been though a lot my Riv and I we're still making good ol memories oh good memories. Not only do I love driving it, I love looking at it just as much if not more than that first day I laid eyes on it back in 89. Now were both getting old, so we cruise and take it easy. I only drive her on weekends. Love to see people come up and share their stories with me. Thank you for this video, didn't know we shared the same passion and history for this particular car. Love it!!

[@jamiee9257]

When I turned 16, in 1996, my dad bought an 83 exactly like this one. It had 27k miles, and I too used to drive over parking blocks in it! When you said that I about died. I'd drive over them with my friends in the car and we'd just laugh our asses off. I remember the engine wasn't particularly powerful, but it drank gas. I can still smell that interior.

[@freddyhoyt1849]

My Grandma bought a new 1984 Buick riviera it was so nice car an comfortable

[@CDurham1]

Cool review as always Bill.

[@AustinKarnatz]

This is the exact car my parents had growing up. Same year, same color body and vinyl top. My parents had the automatic climate control. Was my moms favorite car!

[@anthonygarcia2143]

My wife had hers rollin and I had my 79' Chevrolet Monte Carlo riding to the park playing lowrider oldies both looking like lowrider magazine we were living a dream 😢 they said it was called the gentle men's coupes

[@chrisk2270]

I enjoy each and every one of your nostalgic car reviews that I've seen. This Riviera especially brought back many memories for me, as I also was gifted a Riv. from my Dad many decades ago! I look forward to watching many more of your "old" car reviews!

[@classing]

He lives! Bill, please do a review on a 90-92 Olds Trofeo.

[@Funkoattic]

First off I'd like to say I love your videos I find your voice so proper and bulletproof! I find it funny how this car shared a platform with the Cadillac Eldorado of the period. However, they gave the better engines to Buick meanwhile Cadillac is supposedly their luxury brand. Anyway keep on keepin on Love you videos thanks.

[@MrJayrock620]

8:17 “I now wait till Thursday for late night puking, and intoxicant trips” 😂

[@rclc93]

Wow, thanks for taking me back to a simpler time!

[@josephweaver54]

I love everything about your videos, and I especially love your years-in-review! Keep 'em coming!!

[@allenkranawetter9482]

I used to own a 1980 Riviera I absolutely loved it

[@nickgurule167]

That is the hardest looking beautifulest Buick I've ever seen.. I'm a sucker for 80s luxury coupes

[@LakeNipissing]

That is one quiet car on the highway!! At 85 MPH, you could hear Bill breathing. That is amazing wind / engine / road noise attenuation.

[@diggermolly5927]

My father was a teacher in Milwaukee in the 70s and 80s. He started the first behind the wheel driver training courses for high schoolers in the greater Milwaukee area. In the summer I would help him and other teachers shuttle brand new cars (like these past few reviews) to area high school playgrounds where they would do summer behind the wheel driver training. As Bill mentioned, many of these cars from the big 3 could have quite high sticker prices at the time, and those were the ones the dealers put out on loan to the schools so that they would not be paying for them to sit on their lots. I drove cars priced so high I thought I was in heaven. The story to all of this is that at least half of the cars we ferried to the schools never drove in the program as they often would not start, and when they did, ran so poorly the instructors would not take them off the school lot. I remember getting into the same cars at the end of the summer to take them back to the dealers and they would have only 3 more miles on them than when I dropped them off at the schools. We would have 10 sets of jumper cables to get hem all going, and my dad would always make sure to tell me not to shut them off or I might be stuck on a Milwaukee freeway for hours until they could get to me. What a memory. It was then at a very young age I realized the rip off a new car from the big 3 was. I know these are all beautiful survivors on these reviews, but the reality of them at the time is they were gold plated rolling junk. I love these reviews, I have been thinking of those times over and over as I watch these, thanks Bill, you made my week.

[@clevjam]

Bill, Thanks so much for all the great memories! Including, working at Sunshine Buick in the used car dept. in sales.. 1990-93..My 1985 Riviera. But most of all.... how fun it was back then and uncomplicated! Thanks Again...Cheers 😎

[@ralphl7643]

These were the first GM cars to have IRS besides the Corvette and Corvair. They made auto level control standard to prevent the rear wheels from tilting inward when loaded. The convex FWD wheels made wire wheelcovers look cheesy as hell to me, but they were very popular.

[@marquiswilliams485]

I like this car, I had an 85; silver with an astroroof, with the black half vinyl top. I also like the fact he brought up pop culture from 1984!

[@shabah30]

It’s a real shame I don’t have a place for another car at the moment. Just as soon as I do, I will be in the market for a Riviera of this generation. It’s been my favorite car since my dad had an ‘84 Riviera. Light Sand Gray with this identical interior except the steering wheel. That wheel was an option. The option list for these Rivieras was incredible. As I recall the difference between chrome mirrors and body colored mirrors was heated vs non heated mirrors. If I recall correctly, chrome were the heated ones.

[@mikehawk120]

First new car my fam had, was an 85 Riviera. Myself and 2 sisters and mom and dad all fit lol. I really thought the “auto leveling” thing was so hi tech. And the auto dimming mirror i think it had, was the latest. I miss 1987 (born in 76), all those shows are soooooo missed. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.

[@bababooey7576]

What a beautiful car! The Olds 307 wasnt a fast motor, but man it was bulletproof! I had one in my 1987 Caprice Classic. I remember these Rivieras like it was yesterday! Beautiful...if only we could go back in time!

[@user-zy6bl3fy1i]

The walk down 1984 memories was great, and the history of the car is very well done and informative Thank you !

[@robertvance1873]

I always enjoy the last few minutes when you step on it and show what they can do. Awesome 👍

[@dewdew34]

My father had one of these on lease from the company he worked for. Someone else had it and then he got it for about 2 years. It had a sunfoof, cloth seats , and definitely looked sharp in blue. Very comfortable and not terrible on gas, the fwd was a trip and decent in the snow. I drove it some when my car was broke down, he had his personal car he liked better so i got to use it often, take my mom shopping, things he didn't want to... Just a solid car with comfort and all the goodies of the day. Brings back memeories, that and my bosses Lincoln LSC i drove quite a bit, now that was a nice ride, 5.0 with factory duals and big factory alloy's with Eagle GT's. Nice car for the times. Memories...

[@christopherkraft1327]

Hey Bill, good to hear from you, these Rivieras were gorgeous & so comfortable. My father in law had an 80, white with the white top & blue velour interior. I thought the opera lights were so cool. I'm with you on the extra dose of coronavirus whiskey!!! Take care!!! 😯

[@LexxAKonn]

My family had one of these and you're not kidding. It was great looking, dependable and drove so well. Also, I would go back to 1984 as well if I had the chance. Totally agree with that!

[@lanebates9468]

Had a 1984 Riviera back in 1990 in Sarasota. Metallic brown with a tan vinyl top. Luxurious interior. This model has such stylish lines. Wish I kept some of the cars I had over the years...

[@tompetkoff2998]

Thank you bill. I had an 1984 Riv. I loved that car. This brings back so many good memories

[@freddyhoyt1849]

I remember riding in Buick riviera that my grandmother had in 1983 when I was 12 years old I remember how comfortable it was

[@glennbeadshaw727]

Somehow Bill keeps showing up with every single car I wish I could have afforded when I was young

[@johnmills2134]

Back in 1984 I went to my first Rush concert at Maple Leaf Gardens - Grace Under Pressure tour. It was filmed. The band didn't release the footage until about twelve years ago. The audience was of course largely male, and I sat there rewatching realizing my stache and feathered hair maybe didn't look so good. Thanks Bill for taking me back, ... I think.

[@markwilliams2620]

As a attendant of many Rush concerts at the Palace and Pine Knob (Deetroyit) I must enquire: How pie-eyed were you in the video? One show at the Palace the regular seats were sold out, so they opened up backstage. I immediately ran over to Hudson's and ambled downstairs to the ticket office (because that's how we did it in those days). The girl selling tickets showed me the xerox of the seating chart and reminded me that the seats were backstage and I couldn't move. I picked one 30° off stage left and told her, "I know. That's fine. I'll have a great view of Neil". She shook her head and mumbled, "You all keep saying that".

[@johnmills2134]

I think Bill would like Red Barchetta, the theme of taking the uncle's car for a spin and breaking every speed limit in site would amuse him. Neil Peart had a fine vehicular collection.

[@royperry2859]

This is one of my favorite Rivieras. It is elegant with a beautiful flow from front to back. I've always loved looking at these cars I've had some friends that have a car like this at my church. He had that car for 13 years until he passed on. It was white with a green interior. To me it was the best-looking of the 1979 to 85 GM personal luxury coupes! As usual bill it is a very good review since I have a young child I can only watch these late at night or during my work breaks. Take it easy on the whiskey

[@brianhechinger6726]

My aunt and uncle had one of these. It was black with grey velour. I was just a kid but I remember it looking so classy, especially being all black. My uncle would double tap the legendary GM 4 note freight train sounding horns as they left from visiting. He traded it in on an 87 eldo biarritz, which had the same horns.

[@superx9619]

Bill literally tapped into my mind and awoken forgotten memories from the 80s during that brief summary. It's amazing how Bill remembers this stuff and takes you back.

[@stevenwilhite4026]

This Riviera (as well as the Toronado/Eldorado) was on of the best examples of downsizing, probably ever! Long hoods, short deck lids and luxurious interiors. Miss them

[@garryjames5338]

My Dad had a 1979 with the Buick 350 V8. It was a two tone silver and grey with the padded black vinyl Landau to will black velour interior. It was truly a joy to ride in and very comfortable. The prettiest car my Dad ever owned.

[@charlieparis1]

This car means a lot to me. My grandfather had a white 1983, and we went on road trips through British Columbia on several summers. Was so comfortable and great on the highway. I was always felt so cool to get our of this carhave so many great memories

[@justinjoseph6966]

Holy 💩! I remember this car like it was yesterday because when I was a kid, a parent used to pick up the neighborhood kids across the street from me and carpool them to school. It wasn’t even the look of the car I remember the most, it was the sound of the horn. You totally triggered some deeply buried PTSD in me! Another reason why your videos are otherworldly good!

[@billa2967]

I love it! Personally I think the El Dorado with the stainless steel roof was prettier to me, especially when painted in mint green metallic, but the Rivera is also, a very beautiful car!

[@matthewvarnam4302]

I like how you put all the history in your videos about the car and the history of that time it's awesome.

[@waywardboi]

Pillarless glass is just so beautiful, I remember a cousin had one of these when I was younger and this was maybe the first car I'd ever seen that had it and I was amazed how quiet his car was without having door frames.