Simon Cars - Buick Riviera 1962

Buick Riviera 1962 - 1966

The concept for what became the Buick Riviera was drawn by Ned Nickles , influenced by Chief Stylist William L. Mitchell in 1959. Nickles intended it to be the Cadillac LaSalle II, but in the end the brands Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac vied for the new design and Buick won out. The name 'Riviera' had already been used by Buick on pillarless coupes in the 1950s. Intended to compete against Ford's Thunderbird, the Riviera used a new E-body that was unique to Buick until the second generation when it was also given to the front wheel drive Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado. Launched at the 1962 Auto Shows, the Buick Riviera had a choice of 6.6-litre Nailhead V8 or 7.0-litre V8, and was expensively priced but well equipped. Sales were 40,000 for the first year, and 37,658 for the hardly altered 1964 model. The 1965 model sold 34,500 with a restyled body that had hidden headlamps at the corners and had lost its false air scoops on the rear haunches. There was a new GS (Grand Sport) version with more power and sports handling. For 1966 GM gave the Buick Riviera a new version of the E-body designed under David R. Holls

aa Buick Riviera 1968 badge

Buick Riviera 1968 - badge behind front wheel arch

aa Buick Riviera GS 1966 badgea

Buick Riviera GS 1966 - badge on bonnet

aa Buick Riviera GS 1966 badgegs

Buick Riviera GS 1966 - badge on front wing. The 'Grand Sport' option became available in the 1965 model year and consisted mainly of a Wildcat 7-litre engine and handling package. Until 1966 the badge had said 'Grand Sport' but was abbreviated to 'GS' for 1966

Buick Riviera 1966 GS front

Buick Riviera GS 1965. 1966 was the first year for the Riviera second generation, now with a less GM E-body angular body that was shared with Cadillac and Oldsmobile. However unlike its front drive siblings the Buick kept to a rear drive configuration. The GS option gave the Riviera the Wildcat 6965cc V8 with twinned 4-Barrel carburetors.

Buick Riviera 1966 GS rear

Buick Riviera GS 1966. Buick gave its Riviera a new body for 1966, actually a GM E-body that was shared with the Cadillac Seville and Oldsmobile Toronado, although underneath the Buick was different from its siblings.

Buick Riviera 1968 front

Buick Riviera 1968. The second generation of the Riviera was restyled each year, and by 1968 had a new front and rear, with a fine mesh grille, and hidden headlamps within each grille section. a 7-litre 'Nailhead' V8 engine was now standard

Buick Riviera 1968 rear

Buick Riviera 1968. Restyled for 1968 with new front and rear for better crash protection

l Buick Riviera GS 1966 lamps

Buick Riviera GS 1966 - lamps. On the 1966 Riviera headlamps were concealed behind opening doors

s Buick Riviera GS 1966 side

Buick Riviera GS 1966. For the 1966 model year the Riviera was rebodied with a new version of the E-body that for 1968 would also be given to the front wheel drive Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Toronado.

t Buick Riviera 1968 tail

Buick Riviera 1968. New rear bumpers into which the tail lamps were inset for 1968

t Buick Riviera GS 1966 tail

Buick Riviera GS 1966. The second generation Buick Riviera was introduced for 1966 and its smoother body was shared by Cadillac and Oldsmobile

w Buick Riviera GS 1966 wheel

Buick Riviera GS 1966 - wheel

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Image created by Simon GP Geoghegan (email: web@simoncars.co.uk)