Page 18 - ROA Online Riview Library

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Elegance

Distinction

’70

BY DON ROYAL y love of cars came from my father, who owned
more than 400 cars in his lifetime. He bought and
sold cars on the side and I often accompanied
him on his buying trips. Many of the cars were
Mfirst- and second-generation Rivieras, including
several Gran Sport/GS models. The one car that always stood out
in my mind as special was the 1970 GS.

My first Riviera was a white ’65, which I sold to go to college. I have
many fond memories of that car, but I always wanted a 1970 GS
like dad owned. I recall it was very powerful and there were times I
would sneak out at night to drag race the neighborhood guys. I am
happy to report that the car held its own and dad never found out!
I finally found my ’70 Riviera GS in August of 2017. The elderly
couple who sold it had maintained it in good condition with
115,000 miles on the odometer. I have since added another 1,000
miles. She is not perfect and for an unrestored 49-year-old car, it
would be considered a ten-footer. She runs well, and all I’ve had to
Fender skirts were standard in 1970, offered in either full, do was a recent tune-up and some minor work on the front suspen-
as seen above, or mini skirts. It’s the only year that fender sion. Overall, the body is in good condition, although there are
areas where there is evidence of bodywork and a paint touch-up.
skirts were available on Rivieras. Another one-year only
option was the broad side molding. The GS emblem was The car is painted Titian Red with a black vinyl top, equipped with
the optional side chrome strip and full skirts. Owners had the choice
mounted in front of the front wheel opening on the 1970 in 1970 of having full or mini skirts. In fact, the ’70 was the only
models, rather than behind as in other years. Riviera that had skirts. Inside, it has the optional deluxe black vinyl
buckets with a full console and floor shift. There was only one engine
18 July/August 2019 The Riview