Impressive 1971 Buick Riviera Restoration

The Impressive 1971 Buick Riviera Restoration at Texoma Classics showcases the revival of this iconic personal luxury car, marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year. As General Motors’ first entry into the personal luxury car market segment, the Riviera garnered high praise from automotive journalists upon its debut. Initially designed on a new GM E platform for the 1963 model year, the Buick Riviera was Buick’s first unique model to bear the Riviera name. Unlike its subsequent GM E platform counterparts, the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado, the Riviera began as a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform, switching to front-wheel drive starting with the 1979 model year. The Riviera was radically redesigned for the 1971 model year with flowing and dramatic “boat-tail” styling. Designed under Bill Mitchell’s direction and penned by Jerry Hirshberg, future head of design for Nissan, the 1971 Riviera featured a distinctive two-piece vee-butted fastback rear window inspired by the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe. Originally intended for the smaller A-body or its related G-body platform, the design was ultimately adapted to the full-sized GM B platform. This change resulted in a 3-inch wheelbase extension and an additional 120 pounds, giving the 1971 Buick Riviera a controversial yet striking appearance that sharply departed from the looks of the Toronado and Eldorado.