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Forget imports and even the 1964 Impala. The Riviera was in my book, THE best looking ride on L.A. streets when I was growing up. Better looking than anybody's Ferrari, Porsce or Jaguar. No matter if you were black white or Japanese, this car would forever say, "I'm a pimp" when you rolled up in it. And even people who hate on pimps didnt hate your sleek sexy ride. Lol. This was back when Buick was one of the world class auto makers with it's own disctint identity from Chevy, Ponticac and Cadillac. And for working class black men like my dad and uncles back in the sixties, it was better than a Caddy.
The Riviera name first entered the Buick line in 1949 as the designation for the new two-door pillarless hardtop, which was described as "stunningly smart." Buick would add a 2-door Riviera hardtop to the Super the following year, the Special in 1951 and the Century upon its return, after a 12 year absence, in 1954. Unlike the Toronado and Eldorado, the 1966 Riviera retained a conventional rear wheel drive layout, making it some 200 pounds heavier, so acceleration with the unchanged 425 engine was slightly slower. The Gran Sport package remained available as an option.
1967 saw the adoption of Buick's entirely new V8/430 cu in. 360 horsepower with 475 lb·ft of torque to replace the old 425 "nailhead". The new engine, with greater power and torque on hand, represented a significant performance improvement. Gasoline mileage improved slightly with the new engine, though it remained gas-thirsty compared to similar cars. Powerful disc brakes with Bendix 4 piston calipers became optional for the front wheels but most Riviera continued to be ordered with Buick's aluminum brake drums which were almost as good. Nowadays, you cant tell Buicks from Toyotas, Lincolns or whatever else is generically shaped like a Honda Accord. I hate that. ~R-E
