The Buick Riviera: A Look Back at an American Classic

A Personal Luxury Car with Style and Performance

The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that has become an American icon. First introduced in 1963, the Riviera was produced for over three decades and has gained a reputation for its sleek styling, powerful engines, and luxurious appointments.

From Concept Car to Classic

The idea for the Riviera began with Bill Mitchell, the vice president of styling at General Motors. Mitchell wanted to create a car that would be both stylish and performance-oriented. The result was the Buick Riviera, which debuted as a concept car at the 1963 Motorama.

The concept car was a huge success with the public, and Buick decided to put it into production. The production Riviera was introduced in 1963, and it quickly became a hit with buyers. The Riviera was praised for its beautiful styling, which included a long hood, a short deck, and a distinctive "boattail" rear end.