Publisher Description

This book tells the story of the Buick Riviera; how it artfully blended styling, luxury, comfort and performance from its earliest years as a trim model, to its dramatic debut in 1963 as an exciting unique automobile for the Buick Division.By 1960, Buick sales were tumbling steadily downward and it became obvious that drastic changes were required in not only styling and performance, but in the GM Division's overall public image too.The Riviera of the future would not exist simply as a stylish version of another model in the Buick line-up. The Riviera was slated to lead Buick's renaissance. The Riviera would shed what was left of Buick's conservative, immediate post-war image, and thrust the Division into the groovy, swinging sixties.The Riviera over the next decade was seen as a more sophisticated `cool' aimed at the successful up-and-coming, shirt and tie, business types, rather than the tie-dye T-shirt, blue jean, mod squad!Included in this book is all the pertinent data and information on the 1963 to 1973 Riviera models enthusiasts will enjoy, as well as a quick look at some of the sweetest customised Riviera models ever built that cruise the roadways today!

Author Biography

Norm Mort began taking pictures of old vehicles parked at the side of the road before he was ten. At 12 years of age Norm was the youngest member on the executive of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada, Toronto Chapter. In the 1960s he began accumulating photos and information on motoring. His personal vehicle collection has included everything from a 1922 D-Type Vauxhall and 1935 Morgan F2 to a 1966 Autobianchi van and 1962 Studebaker Station Wagon. A writer for magazines and newspapers such as World of Wheels, Sports Car Market, the Toronto Sun, Montreal Gazette, Old Autos, and numerous others in the field of transport for over 30-years, this is his seventeenth book.

Table of Contents

PrefaceIntroductionThe Glamour of the Riviera - 1949-1962Riviera 1963-1965 - The "Personal Luxury" Car from BuickBuick Riviera 1966-1970 - Smoother Performance1971-1973 The Boattail BuickBuick Riviera "Specials" - Custom Rivieras

Review

Remember the panache and flair of those Rivs, how they so beautifully combined performance, style and class? This informative book documents three generations of Buick's luxury grand tourer, including the concept cars. You'll find unpublished photographs, advertising material, road test and performance data and factory specifications - all the details enthusiasts enthuse about. - Highline Autos. We enjoyed the period adverts and photos, which are characteristically American: bright, cheerful and retro. There's no denying the Rivera is one of the most striking cars of its time and there is a decent potted history of the 1963-73 model here. - Auto Express. A welcome arrival for a model that is little-covered in the UK. Quality photography is backed up by plenty of intriguing archive, and there's a useful history lesson before model year changes are explained, as well as a look at custom models. - Classic & Sports Car.If you ever wanted to know more about the development of the barge that appeared in Due South, Mort's book delivers. - Classic Car Weekly. a fantastic addition to your hobby area reference materials. - IPMS/USA Journal. A great read! - Classic American

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