By Dan Strohl

Hemmings

If you have not noticed, there’s a pretty big following for Buick’s Riviera outside of the striking 1963-’65 models, including this two-tone, Limited Edition ‘78. The body style seen here was only used two years (going back to 1977) prior to the downsized 1979-’85 editions. There’s plenty we could mention about the Riv that’s been printed in several Buick books, but it’s the price that’s more interesting: $3,275 or best offer. Some kind of deal, right? From the seller’s description:

1978 Buick Riviera LXXV Limited Edition. Runs/drives fine. Air conditioning and all power accessories work fine. Interior in very good condition. A survivor, 82K, the paint showing age. A very little, repairable rust.

Heck, you couldn’t find a decent, used Toyota for that price. Or did we speak to soon? See more pics at Hemmings

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Today’s photo of the day is from Peter’s 1966 Buick Riviera ride page. There are so many great pics on his page that it was hard picking just one!

Keep those photo of the day PMs and e-mails coming!

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Welcome to the year end wrap-up of the Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot. If you recall, this series was all about uncovering obscure makes, and redefining what a Muscle Car could be. We have discovered that Muscle originated during the 1950s, blossomed during the 1960s, and continued on through the 70s and 80s in a somewhat de-tuned state only to find a re-birth we are enjoying today. My focus was not to highlight the already established Muscle Cars like the Chevelle SS, the Pontiac GTO, or the Hemi Chryslers, but to find hidden gems that you may not have known about.

So during this week, it is now up to you, the Car Domain reader, to vote on your favorites. There will be specific categories, like today’s example, the 1960′s Unknowns. In the end, sometime after the New Years Holiday, there will be one car crowned as your favorite Obscure Muscle Car, and park it in the Parking Lot, with a few CarDomain Members rides highlighted.

So, what is your favorite little known Muscle Car from the period dominated by muscle cars?
- The 1962-1963 Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire, Americas first Turbocharged V8!
- The 1963 Studebaker R2 Super Lark, and the R2 Super Hawk, both with Supercharged V8s!
- The AMC Rambler Marlin, predecessor to the great Javelin and AMX models.
- The 1968 – 70 Oldsmobile Toronado W-34, the first Front Wheel Drive Muscle Car!
- The Ford Galaxie 500 7 Litre, from 1966 – 67, Big Power in a full sized car!
- The 1963 to 1965 Buick Riviera. Classically proportioned Muscle, that was also luxurious!
- The 1968 Dodge Dart GTS 440; a very rare compact Muscle Car.
- The 1965 Chrysler 300-L; The Bankers Hot Rod!
- The Turbocharged Corvair, an unusual choice, and the second Turbocharged American Car.
- The Beaumont SD, and mix of Chevrolet and Pontiac for our Canadian Neighbors.
- The 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G; A tribute model for Dan Gurney.
- The 1969 AMC Hurst S/CRambler, an outrageous Rambler, in an eye searing color scheme.
- The 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix; Different Body, the year before the Mid Sized Grand Prix debuted.
- The Studebaker Avanti – Ahead of its time, too little to save Studebaker.

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Welcome to the CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, a regular feature which aims to expand the notion of what a muscle car is, and to learn about different cars while doing so. Buick has been known as the car that many people bought if they wanted the luxury of a Cadillac without the ostentation. It was the consummate “Doctor’s Car,” if you will. Something happened to Buick during the late 50′s and early 60′s though–it took on a car that Cadillac rejected as being too radical for the brand, and created a new category. Let’s take a look at the beautiful 1963-65 Buick Riviera.

Continue reading "CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot – The 1963-65 Buick Riviera" »

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

When I was walking through the Grand National Roadster Show last month, I spotted this Buick Riviera parked outside the exhibit halls. I didn’t even know what kind of car it was at first, but I was just drawn to it. I thought, “damn, this is a car you’d expect to see in an old gangster movie.” I seem to have an affection for low, mean looking cars, no matter what kind of car it is.

I’m not even a Buick fan necessarily, but I just love the simple and elegant body of this car, with the nice detail in the bumper, grill, headlight covers, and hood ornament. The front end of the car definitely looks mean, as if it’s scowling at you. I love that. Continue reading at Speedhunters

By Antonio Alvendia

Buickman’s ’71 Riviera has clearly had some pretty extensive pampering, but that doesn’t keep the owner from throwing it around some. He’s in the process of building out his new ride page right now, so keep checking back—and don’t miss the handmade rear-window placard on page 1 or the video of the big Buick on the dyno on page 4.

Rob’s ’71 Riviera is one of the most well-documented restorations I’ve seen on CarDomain. This has obviously been a total labor of love, from the moment he took delivery (check out the sweet pic) to the final coats of poly paint. Plus he’s got some great videos, including one of a similar Riv doing an epic burnout on Page 1. Take a look!

This afternoon, Buick held a luncheon for journalist at Cipriani in Manhattan, and even though I’d basically come straight off my red-eye—stupid, stupid layover in DC—the event was still pretty cool. Initially, I was focused on getting shots of the Riviera and Velite Concepts, but the Y-Job parked right by the door stopped me in my tracks. Designed by the legendary Harley Earl, the Y-Job is widely regarded as the world’s first concept car, and in person, the machine is simply stunning—it’s nearly twenty feet long! Of course, I did make it back to check out the current concepts, and I was pretty impressed. Personally, I’d love to see either of these cars make it to production. Check out my walk-around videos of the Riviera and the Velite and make your own decision. More pics after the jump.

We were expecting to get some good shots from the Windy City, and we weren’t disappointed. Dodge’s electric Zeo Concept attracted a lot of attention, and their reborn Challenger went over like free beer—look  how tough it looks in black. But of course, Ma Mopar wasn’t the only automaker with hyper-trick rides on display. Buick’s Riviera concept was a big hit, and while Lexus’ new baby is pretty to begin with, the aggressive body kit and satin finish on this LF made it look unbelievably hot. Check out the rest of the pics  over in our Events section!

By Jen

Editor

When I blogged a Whip of the Week on the fabulous Buick Riviera a while back, I sure had no idea that something like this ’71 was in the pipeline! When I saw it I think my heart actually stopped, then started back up again. I’m pretty strongly against filmmakers "ruining" (i.e., wrecking, burning, or blowing up) cars for entertainment, but nobody can say that someone who turns a classic ride into a donk is guilty of "ruining" it. Not if they’ve seen one of these intimidating hi-risers in person! Oh, and the graphics were totally amazing as well: Rob snapped some detail pics, including this one of the hood. And don’t forget to check out his cool walkaround video of the Riv, with the spinners on one side and the clears on the other!