I've been reading these posts and cant stay quiet any longer! My story is quite different than any others tho... probably not as nostalgic, but here goes:

As a kid, my parents always drove Plymouths, Dodges etc.. and I hated them! I loved the styling of the GM cars.. especially the Riv! My first car was a brand new Camaro I'd saved a long time for. Then in my late 20's I married a guy who was a heavy truck mechanic.. I was quite mechanically inclined for a gal, so when he decided to restore a '38 Chevy I went along with the idea. Next thing ya know, I was looking for a car of my own to restore, but had no clue what it would be. Then one day I happen in to an old salvage yard, and there was the most awesome car I'd ever seen off in the distance, in pieces, doors laying on the ground, and a mess, but absolutely gorgeous!! I had no clue what it was, but I knew it would be mine! So, I dragged that '38 Buick Special 4-dr touring sedan home.. about 1500 hours later, complete with big block 400, and sub-framed front end with a '75 LeSabre, it was an incredible street machine, and I knew I'd never own anything but a Buick again! From there, I bought a couple of Century's as daily drivers and a Regal over the years always drooling over the Riv, but never able to afford one. Also during that time I bought and partially restored a '39 Buick but sold it as it just didnt have the class of the '38 (which I'd always kept and drove). Then the day of the big divorce came.. he got his '38 Chev, I got my '38 Buick.. and my poor ol' Regal.. As it turned out, I had to sell the '38 Buick to meet obligations that I couldn't meet on my own... sigh.. a sad day for me.. But then I began to save, and save, and save.. til I finally got my '96 Riv a couple years ago!!! I love this car every single day I drive it, just like I did my old Buick! I'd love to have an old one still tucked away in my garage, but maybe someday! And that Blackhawk just makes me drool! First time I saw it I nearly fell over with that '39 grill I know so well right there in the front of my eyes! ..... that needs to be our new Rivie! I've already told my new husband, I'm hawking jewelry and refinancing the house if it ever comes into production!! LOL.. Thank goodness he loves me and understands me! God bless America for all she is.. and for giving us such quality and style, as well as things that inspire such passion in us!

Mirage

This past saturday was a beautiful fall day here in Belgium :.sunny skies, not a cloud, dry cold and leaves falling from trees. So I took my 68 riviera out to go for a long drive through the belgian countryside all afternoon. It was such a beautiful ride. The buick handles wonderfully. The acceleration is remarkable for a close-to-two-ton car. The steering is supersmooth and the brakes work well.This answers the question"why a riv". I always found buicks to be special : special quality, special design, special elegance and special performance. Especially in the fifties and the sixties, sixties being my favorite car period ( I was born in 66). I owned a 72 electra before and I was allowed to drive on a neighbour's electra 67 deuce and a quarter. What beautiful memories. I still have not made up my mind on how to install my R-I-V-I-E-R-A emblems : glue or not to glue ??? A friend has referred me to a good body shop so I'll check that out. Since I will keep this car for a long time I might as well do it right !!

patrick
ROA # 8720
riviera 68
Brussels, Belgium

I had lived in England for many years and certainly missed big American cars. Few will ever appreciate the ride of a traditional American boat. Not too mention the durability and reliability. Thats the kind of car American used to make well. That's the kind of car I wanted before it was too late to get them.

When I moved to the USA I decided I had to buy two things. A brand new house and a big American car because you can't get them anywhere else. But what car? Big car? Muscle car? Cool car? Heap? Luxury car? Cheap car? Looker? Hot rod? What?

When I saw the 71 Boattail I realised I could have all of the above plus a crease in the roof!! What distinction. They are quite uncommon and rather exotic...particularly if you believe the origin of the Riviera was in the comment "what we need is a cross between a Ferrari and a Rolls Royce"

She still needs a bit of work but I like it that way. I don't want to have to worry about door dings and things. She's kept fairly clean and is the envy of many drawing looks and comments here and there. Yes it's a bit of a poser's car. It's also dammed reliable, very powerful, rides great and is cheap to run. Love it. It's kind of a rolling restoration. And soo easy to drive.

You know in the last several years it seems manufacturers believe they have to make a "drivers car". Hands on control requiring much more effort and concentration that these big old boats. Yet people want to talk on the phone, drink and eat while driving. Its so much easier to multi-task in these old cars not that would I advocate it! I shold think people still really want them hence the rise in popularity of pickups and mom trucks. American manufacturers should revert to rear-wheel drive cars as those cars commonly thought of as the best in the world are still rear wheel drive. If only the big three could get their acts back together.

Tim Edwards