Why the 1965 Buick Riviera is one of the Coolest Classic Cars Ever Made
The Buick Riviera that was released and sold in the year I was born, 1965, was quite a vehicle. It was the last year for the “first generation” Riviera model – and by far the best. A unique, recognizable body style that encompassed a spacious cabin and housed a powerful V8 engine has now become a sought-after gem of classic car collectors. I was fortunate enough to have one for a few months in my youth. Here are some of its power stats:
*0-60 in 8 seconds
*Quarter mile in 16 seconds
*Top speed observed 115 MPH
*Mileage 13.2 MPG
With a 401 Wildcat under the hood, I had no trouble getting where I wanted to go. And while the body was large, it was quite maneuverable thanks to the standard equipment power steering and stiff heavy-duty suspension. And who says getting there fast can’t be in style? Check out some of the features it came with:
*Front bucket seats
*Bucket-style rear seats
*Cruise control
*Tilt steering wheel
*Center console floor-shifter & storage comp.
*Power windows, including wing-window!
*Driver side 4-way power seat
*Air conditioning
*AM/FM radio with power antenna
This 1965 car had more stuff than my 1985 Toyota did! I can remember cranking up the radio with the cruise control on doing 75 while adjusting my power seat, the tilt wheel, and the power wing windows. Ah to be young again – those were the days.
But the real feature that made the 1965 Buick Riviera stand out from all the other years were the hidden headlights. Tucked out of sight by the clam-shell covers that opened and closed automatically on the outer edges of the vehicle, they were moved back into the grille for all future body styles (where they had been the previous 2 years.
Back in the mid-80′s these cars were a lot easier to find, but there are some original vehicles still sitting in driveways out there is suburban and rural America. You might be able to pick one up for $1,000 if you do your homework. Less populated areas away from big metro cities are your best bet for discovering one of these hidden gems.
Find one, invest some time and/or money into restoring it, and you will have something special. It’s a good investment too; you just can’t lose restoring classic American cars.
There is another unique Riviera worth mentioning here, and that is the 1972 model, otherwise known as the “torpedo back.” A neighbor-mechanic of mine told me they love those things in Las Vegas (this was in 1985). I have never owned one of those – not yet anyway!
Andrew Kasch is a classic car enthusiast. You can read more about his second car and see a photo gallery at his site: http://www.1965buickriviera.info
Unforgettable Television Sports Cars from the 1970s
Throughout the 1970s, television programs (particularly hour long action/dramas) often featured heroes with enviable sports cars. Though not every car was particularly memorable or essential to the show’s personality, some television sports cars did manage to leave a lasting impression. Here are five truly unforgettable television sports cars from the 1970s:
Dan Tanna’s 1957 Thunderbird from Vega$
In the pilot for this popular seventies cop show, the show’s protagonist, Dan Tanna drove a bright yellow Corvette. Somewhere along the way the car was destroyed in the desert and Robert Urich’s character ended up with a bright red 1957 Thunderbird convertible. The T-Bird was, in essence, the co-star of Vega$. Urich commented that the sports car received more fan mail than he did. The show aired 67 episodes and through the entire production, only two of the 1957 Thunderbirds were used. The cars later appeared, painted an aquamarine hue, in the Richard Gere movie, Breathless. One cannot think of Vega$ without thinking of Tanna in his T-Bird cruising down the strip.
Jim Rockford’s Firebird Esprit from The Rockford Files
James Garner gave chase to villains in a series of gold Firebird Esprit’s during the course of The Rockford Files seven-year run. In addition to being Rockford’s most recognizable accessory, the Firebird was also a moving printing press. Always the clever detective, Rockford kept a small printing machine in the back to produce custom business cards to help him in his adventures. Over the course of the series, multiple model years of the gold Firebird Esprit were used. Despite the money problems that always seemed to evidence themselves on Rockford’s answering machine, he was able to buy new Firebirds regularly.
Joe Mannix’ custom Oldsmobile Toronado from Mannix
Though Joe Mannix began his crime-fighting career in the 1960s, the hour-long drama bearing his name survived into the 1970s. His customized 425 1966 front-wheel drive convertible Oldsmobile Toronado featured a slew of high-tech advances including a short-waver radio receiver and a hidden compartment that often housed his sidearm. The Mannix roadster wasn’t the only car used by Mike Connors during the show-in the later seasons he got behind the wheel of an assortment of vehicles-but it was certainly the most memorable ride from the series.
Columbo’s Rusty Peugeot from Columbo
One could argue whether rumpled detective Frank Columbo’s rusty old 1959 Peugeot 403 Grande Luxe Cabriolet really qualifies as a sports car. Even if it does in principle, it didn’t in terms of apparent performance. The chewed up old rust-bucket was a perfect companion to the equally disheveled detective played by Peter Falk in the popular 1970s detective series. Interestingly the Peugeot was later sold to a couple in Ohio who were located by network execs when the series was revised in the form of a few television movies in the late 1980s.
Starsky’s and Hutch’s Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch
The Ford Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch was such a big star that its red and white paint scheme and styling actually became part of the Ford product line. Even today, S&H Torino owners gather to display their souped up Gran Torinos and to revel in memories of a popular 1970s cop show. In terms of sheer recognizability, the S&H Gran Torino is in a class of its own.
You might remember Ironsides’ ride or what Kojak tooled around in. Perhaps you can recall Quincy’s car, too. But when most people are asked to discuss cars popularized in 1970s television, odds are they will mention at least a few of the top five listed above. These cars became stars in their own right, often nearly overshadowing their human co-stars.
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Take care of your unforgettable car with the car care products from http://www.shineyourcar.com
How the Corvette Changed the Sports Car Industry Forever
Harley Earl was an automobile design expert at Chevrolet who noticed the influx of small European sports cars into the United States after World War II. He knew there was a market for a two-seat roadster and convinced Chevrolet to introduce their own version: The Chevrolet Corvette.
In 1953, the first Corvette’s were unveiled. The cars were unique in their construction. Instead of the steel bodies common for the time, the Corvette was actually built from a much lighter material-fiberglass. This innovation, combined with its Earl-designed appearance, however, was still not enough to make the car an overnight success.
At the time, Chevrolet was known for producing inexpensive, but unexciting vehicles. The Corvette, despite its sex styling and innovative construction was “just another Chevy” at heart, and lacked the performance sports car enthusiasts craved. The original Corvettes featured a less-that-impressive V6, a two-speed automatic transmission, and a brake system taken directly from the regular Chevy line. In essence, the original Corvette was a sports car in appearance alone. Sales lagged and there was even talk of discontinuing Earl’s pet project after a few years.
Sales were simply too low. Although the fiberglass design wowed potential buyers and critics within the sports car industry and the appearance of the Corvette was beyond reproach, the car simply lacked the kind of performance those searching for a true sports car expected to find.
Then came Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Russian
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