If there is something undeniably captivating, that’s classic cars, and this is even more so when it comes to the 1968 Buick Riviera, a time piece in its own right that just passed inspection in my garage. When I picked it up last Sunday it felt like a celebration, a meeting of history and modernity.
The 1968 Buick Riviera is but a tip of the hat to the elegant American craftsmanship that was its era. It has a sleek look and a commanding presence while driving. The time the Riviera was designed was one during which manufacturers were striving to not only make great functional vehicles, but great artworks as well. Its aesthetic is nostalgic and crunchy like — the elegant roofline, elongated hood, the distinctive rear end — and bold. With that in mind, I wasn’t surprised that I couldn’t pass on this iconic bit of automotive heritage as part of my daily commute. As I slid into the plush interior, the leather seats gave way and the woods also gave way. Classic analog gauges add to the minimalist look of the dashboard, drawing back the curtain to a time when the only display in cars was analog. It’s easy to feel the Riviera’s heritage in every detail. It’s an environment that encourages a drive at a more relaxed pace, which allows you to experience twisting roads and take in the pleasure of the moment.
Performance
Now let’s talk performance! This beauty slings its hammer of 430 cubic inch big-block V8 under the hood, a true wonder of engineering. A car enthusiast’s ear delight as the roar of the engine brings an exhilarating driving experience. And it’s instant and thrilling when you press the accelerator. It’s the reminder of why we love a classic muscle car; the raw power and the thrill of the road is just addictive.
It is not about fuel economy when driving this Riviera — it is about the experience. A car that is efficient, but still encourages you to embrace the journey, is a somewhat modern contraption. Every drive around the Riviera feels special solely due to its commanding presence on the road. If you’re driving one of these, you’re behind the wheel of a legend … you can’t help but smile as you navigate traffic.
I also had a small community of my Buicks as true work trucks, and I’m flattered to say I’m one of them. I can’t help but think back to my other classic car, Stateside, a ’69 Special. It’s too precious to leave exposed to the raw winter elements, but that car has been my summer companion for many years. Once the snow begins to fall, I take it off the road just to avoid letting salt and sand bring about its end. Except for this Riviera, which is all about turning it into a daily joy. It is disappointing to have it sit in the garage during winter.
Daily driving a classic car however certainly isn’t without its challenges. With harsh chemicals on the roads in winter, the constant thought becomes how to prevent rust and wear. It’s a risk I’m willing to take to just get to drive such a classic. I get a thrill out of hearing the engine roaring and feeling the power rush of being forced to glide down the highway a mile at a time.
These vintage machines have a kind of charm that the newer models can’t match. Every day, I’ll hear that same rumble each time I turn the key. It’s celebrating automotive history, a link to the past that is such a rewarding thing to be able to do. We ride around with all these modern cars people choose to drive, but there’s a comradeship among those of us that choose the classics.
Car Model Information: 1968 Buick Riviera
Price: $24,995
Exterior color: Blue
Interior color: Black
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive
Transmission: Automatic 3-Speed
Engine: V8 7.0L
VIN: 494878H935998
Mileage: 65,945 mi.
Summary: The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was 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 was highly praised by automotive journalists upon its high-profile debut. It was a ground-up design on a new GM E platform debuting for the 1963 model year and was also Buick’s first unique Riviera model.
Unlike its subsequent GM E platform stablemates, the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado, the Riviera was initially a front engine/rear-wheel drive platform, switching to front-wheel drive starting with the 1979 model year.
While the early models stayed close to their original form, eight subsequent generations varied substantially in size and styling. A total of 1,127,261 Rivieras were produced.
The Riviera name was resurrected for two concept cars that were displayed at auto shows in 2007 and in 2013.
Get more information about: Buick Riviera
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Going for owning and driving a 1968 Buick Riviera is about more than the car — it’s living a lifestyle punctuated by nostalgia, by excitement, and an earned respect for craftsmanship. This isn’t just a car, it’s my daily adventure, it takes me back in time as I cruise the roads today. There’s no arguing the Riviera’s charm whether you are a true collector or just new to the classic car community. With this stunning beauty many more miles of joy and exploration yet to go….here’s to that! The road ahead is full of possibilities and I can’t wait to drive it all in my new daily driver, buckle up!
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