1979 Buick Riviera

Buick introduced the Riviera 'personal luxury car' in 1963 and it remained in production through 1999 (with a brief hiatus in 1994). It was built through eight significant styling redesigns (eight generations) and initially used traditional front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration (unlike its GM E platform counterparts - the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado - which received front-wheel drive). 1979 was significant as it was the first year the Riviera used front-wheel drive configuration. It was part of the 'Sixth generation' of major styling updates and the new designs would continue through 1985. By the end of production, 370,282 examples of the 'sixth generation' Riviera were built. The final year of production was also the most popular, with 65,305 units built. Annual sales hovered around the 50,000 mark, with 52,181 examples in 1979, the same year that Motor Trend declared it the 'Car of the Year.'

The 1979 Buick Riviera
The Buick Riviera was all-new for 1979, featuring a new design and re-engineered to front-wheel drive. It shared mechanical details with the Cadillac Eldorado and the Oldsmobile Toronado. Its wheelbase measured 114 inches, was 206 inches in length, and 72.8 inches wide. The Olds 403 and Buick 350 were no longer offered, but the Olds 350 remained part of the options list. A new turbocharger Buick 231 cubic-inch V6 joined the list offering 185 horsepower.

The design featured full-cut wheel openings, sweeping quarter panels, and a fully independent suspension. The design had a raked-back front end and a squared-off roofline. In the front was a grille that was comprised of vertical bars that sloped slightly outward and were divided into eight sections by slightly wider bars. Quad headlights were in the front and 'Riviera' scripts could be found throughout the vehicle.

Two versions of the luxurious Riviera were available, a V8 coupe which sold for $10,100, and an S Type Coupe which sold for $10,400. The S Type had a turbocharged V-6 engine that was fitted with four-barrel carburetion ad produced 170 horsepower. The V8 engine was a 5.7-liter unit that offered 160 horsepower.

The Riviera had many features, adding to its luxurious appeal, including a Delco AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna, power windows, power brakes and steering, six-way power driver's seat, digital clock, air conditioning, Soft-Ray tinted glass, automatic transmission, side-window defrosters, cornering lights, and automatic level control. Front discs in the front were standard and rear discs could be purchased for an additional sum.

As would be expected, the Riviera could be purchased with a wide variety of options including a padded Landau top with coach lamps in roof pillars, an electric sunroof, glass Astroroof, a digital speedometer, and fuel gauge.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012