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Buick

Riviera

1963 - 1994

The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car produced by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year. Upon its debut, it was praised for its innovative design and performance. Over the decades, the Riviera evolved, offering distinct variants and technical features that marked its history. This page brings together the versions referenced by ScanRacer, including years, variants, rarities, and available detailed pages, linking the model overview to version-by-year pages.

Variants by year

15 versions

1994

R
C
1994
Riviera

1985

R
C
1985
Riviera

1981

R
R
1981
Riviera Convertible

1978

R
R
1978
Riviera Coupé

1977

R
C
1977
Riviera

1975

R
R
1975
Riviera

1974

R
R
1974
Riviera

1973

R
R
1973
Riviera

1972

R
R
1972
Riviera

1971

R
R
1971
Riviera

1970

R
R
1970
Riviera

1968

R
R
1968
Riviera

1966

R
R
1966
Riviera

1965

R
R
1965
Riviera

1963

R
R
1963
Riviera

Model summary

Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.

15referenced versions
1963 - 1994covered years
15distinct model years

Model introduction

The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car produced by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year. Upon its debut, it was praised for its innovative design and performance. Over the decades, the Riviera evolved, offering distinct variants and technical features that marked its history. This page brings together the versions referenced by ScanRacer, including years, variants, rarities, and available detailed pages, linking the model overview to version-by-year pages.

History

The Buick Riviera was introduced in 1963 as a personal luxury coupe, marking Buick's entry into the luxury car market. Its distinctive design was praised by automotive journalists upon its debut. Over the years, the Riviera underwent several generations, each bringing evolutions in design, performance, and technology. In 1971, Buick introduced the 'Boattail' Riviera, characterized by a boat-tail rear end, a bold design that marked its era. In 1979, the Riviera adopted front-wheel drive, reflecting a general trend in the American automotive industry. Production of the Riviera continued until 1999, with a total of 1,127,261 units produced across its various generations. (en.wikipedia.org)

Generations

The Buick Riviera spanned six distinct generations between 1963 and 1999. The first generation (1963-1965) was praised for its innovative design and performance. The second generation (1966-1970) introduced enhancements in comfort and technology. The third generation (1971-1973) is famous for the 'Boattail' model, characterized by a boat-tail rear end. The fourth generation (1974-1976) retained the previous platform while making aesthetic modifications. The fifth generation (1977-1978) saw a reduction in size, with a smaller platform. The sixth generation (1979-1985) marked the shift to front-wheel drive, reflecting a general trend in the American automotive industry. (en.wikipedia.org)

Key differences

The main differences between the Buick Riviera generations include significant evolutions in design, performance, and technology. For example, the third generation (1971-1973) is famous for the 'Boattail' model, characterized by a boat-tail rear end. The fifth generation (1977-1978) saw a reduction in size, with a smaller platform. The sixth generation (1979-1985) marked the shift to front-wheel drive, reflecting a general trend in the American automotive industry. (en.wikipedia.org)

Photo recognition

To identify a Buick Riviera, look for the following distinctive features: - **Rear design**: The third generation (1971-1973) is famous for the 'Boattail' model, characterized by a boat-tail rear end. - **Platform and dimensions**: The fifth generation (1977-1978) saw a reduction in size, with a smaller platform. - **Transmission layout**: The sixth generation (1979-1985) marked the shift to front-wheel drive, reflecting a general trend in the American automotive industry. These elements can help distinguish the different generations of the Buick Riviera. (en.wikipedia.org)

Important versions

Notable versions of the Buick Riviera include: - **'Boattail' model (1971-1973)**: Characterized by a boat-tail rear end, this model is emblematic of its era. - **75th Anniversary model (1978)**: Special edition commemorating Buick's 75th anniversary, produced in 2,889 units. These versions stand out for their unique features and their place in Riviera history. (en.wikipedia.org)

References