History The Riviera Story

[Richard D]

Originally Posted by Nads

Truly an awesome design, but I think, and I'm in the minority here, the second generation is even more stunning.

I saw a burgandy '66 on the freeway a few days ago, "rollin' deep on some twennie fo inch spinnaz". Even with the stupid DONK wheels, it was a sharp looking car.

[greasy50chevy]

cool story

[GZ]

Here is a 1965 Riviera that is owned by the Gred Dawson Collection in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was just completed by Hatfield Restorations in Canton, Texas and will make it debut at the Detroit Autorama next week. I just saw it yesterday as the crew at Hatfield was putting on the final details and it is absolutely spectacular!!!!

[Kustom7777]

very interesting story ryan,,i enjoyed reading that.
i've always kind of thought of the riveria as a factory kustom

[docc]

Always one of my favorite cars. Smooth..exotic..clean. A little too heavy for a gearhead that needed to strip/street..so I never had one.

Beautiful "factory custom". One of the all time best..
Nice to read the history..thanks Ryan..

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by 1950ChevySuburban

I fail to see any inspiration between the Rolls and the Riv, but thats OK. I'm sure glad Bill Mitchell saw it, 'cause I always liked those cars.
Really intriguing history lesson, thanks!

The inspiration came also from a luxury car that also possesed alot of horse power.

[eightbanger]

Love my 65!

[193257]

Ryan

Thanks for the history lesson. It just backs up my decision to acquire one recently although I liked them a lot longer. I had to talk dirty dan out of his.

[oddrodgarage]

Congrats on picking Dirty Dan's Rivi up...one of my favorites

[OL 55]

A 65 Riv is definitly on my Lotto win garage list! All it needed from the factory was a bit of lowering and it was good to go!! I'll take mine black on black!

[skywolf]

I have read the story about Bill Mitchell & his vision of a Rolls Royce in the fog. However I think he may have seen a Silver Cloud 1 or a Bentley Continental S1. These were both available in 1955. The Silver Cloud replaced the Silver Dawn in April 1955. It may have been that the rear quarter panel curve on these cars were an influence on the GM designers. Here's some pictures that possibly help to link the Riviera with Mitchell's foggy vision. Just my hypothetical ramblings.

[lolife]

I don't know if somene already mentioned it, but I would have mass produced the Ferrari! That Buick was a tank.

If that Buick is the reason for the "traditional" cut-off date, then you might as well include the 73 Mustang

[zman]

Originally Posted by lolife

I don't know if somene already mentioned it, but I would have mass produced the Ferrari! That Buick was a tank.

If that Buick is the reason for the "traditional" cut-off date, then you might as well include the 73 Mustang

Tank? It's a luxury ride with balls.
A Rivi is about 4300lbs, a new Accord is 3800lbs. I'll deal with an extra 500lbs.

As for the Mustang quote, dude you really need to get out more... That's a big WTF right there...

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by skywolf

I have read the story about Bill Mitchell & his vision of a Rolls Royce in the fog. However I think he may have seen a Silver Cloud 1 or a Bentley Continental S1. These were both available in 1955. The Silver Cloud replaced the Silver Dawn in April 1955. It may have been that the rear quarter panel curve on these cars were an influence on the GM designers. Here's some pictures that possibly help to link the Riviera with Mitchell's foggy vision. Just my hypothetical ramblings.

I thought the EXACT same thing when I was researching... those rear quarters look Riviera to me... Even so, Mitchell was quoted as saying it was a Silver Dawn.

[jguff]

A fun read. I have had my 65 for almost 15 years now and never get tired of it or the comments from people at car shows or just at the gas station.

Jerome

[31Apickup]

GM also used some of the styling cues from the Riviera on the Redesign of the Nova for 1966. There was even a concept Nova that looked like a shrunken Riv.

[oddrodgarage]

Tank? I think not...luxury muscle maybe but definitely not a tank...I had always wanted one and other than the carwash I worked at as a teenager had never ridden in one...from almost every angle they are pleasing to the eye and with a subtle tweak here and there you can even improve on that...when I finally was able to find one I was amazed at the mix of power, comfort and obviously style that these things have...almost a perfect package right from the factory

[jguff]

My 65 is on the cover of the April 2009 issue of Old Cars Price Guide.

Jerome

[Richard D]

Originally Posted by zman

Tank? It's a luxury ride with balls.
A Rivi is about 4300lbs, a new Accord is 3800lbs. I'll deal with an extra 500lbs.

As for the Mustang quote, dude you really need to get out more... That's a big WTF right there...

No shit, a Rustang doesn't even belong in the same sentance with a Rivi, even if the only one I'd own is a big ol' '73.

[Racewriter]

I have one of the last Rivs - a '98 with the supercharged V-6. At 152,000 miles, it's about ready to be retired from daily-driver duty. Strongly considering doing a customizing job on it, but frankly, I have a hell of a time figuring out how to improve the lines!