In the late 50s. at General Motors brands carried away with the idea of the revival of La Salle, which disappeared in 1940, plans have been realized, but the stylists are not of concern given up the idea to manufacture a new "personal luxury" car that would be a match for the last 4 - Local Ford Thunderbird.
The new model with a wheelbase of 2.97 meters, which was named Riviera, was 0.35 m shorter than the other "full size" cars of the office. Designed by a team led by Bill Mitchell body with hard top coupe had smoothed shape with well-developed parts.
Front wheel drive Buick Riviera T1984 was developed under the European influence. He has demonstrated the ability of General Motors to create advanced electronic engine management, fuel injection and turbocharging to apply
By European standards it was a very big car. Conducted in 1965 by the British magazine Autocar tests showed that it weighs nearly 2 tons, its length is 5.34 m, and the consumption of petrol - 25.6 litres/100 km. With a 7-liter engine develops maximum speed 196 km / h, accelerates from zero to 161 km / h in 21.1 sec and the passage from the place of the quarter-mile (400 m) almost as good as the car Jaguar E.
Inexplicably, these cars attracted attention and became the leaders, immediately securing a success in the U.S.. In 1963 it sold 40 thousand Buick Riviera, in 1964 - 37 658 pieces. The following year, made changes to the front end (headlights were hidden behind the paneling, and the tail lights embedded in the bumper) and sold 34,586 more cars. By this time, the largest was 360 hp engine, working with 3-speed automatic transmission, making it extremely attractive to the wealthy middle class of America. Despite the two-door body, Riviera was a true four-seater car and was superficial, but the spacious trunk.
One of the best elaborations body Riviera designer Bill Mitchell. Some find it debatable
European testers admitted Buick Riviera one of the best-handling American cars built in the mid 60s. Although his suspension was by European standards is very soft. The main drawback, however, as for all those years overseas cars were drum brakes, which could easily lose its effectiveness during long and frequent braking.
The second generation of Riviera (1965-67 gg.) Has also become attractive. The car was bigger, heavier and bulkier appearance, which compensated for the more powerful engine. Amazingly, in 1966 it sold for 4424 dollars - it is not surprising that sales rose to 45 thousand. Subsequently, design Riviera was washed out style branches Oldsmobile and Cadillac, and his appeal has disappeared. It took several years until the present original Buick did not appear again.
Characteristics (1963-1965)
Engine: V8, verhneklapanny
Bore and stroke: 106,36 / 109,5 x92, 5 mm
Displacement: 6969 cm3
Maximum Power: 325 hp
Transmission: 2-way (later 3-speed) automatic transmission, rear axle
Chassis on a steel frame
Suspension: coil springs, front independent, rear axle
Brakes: drum
Body type: 4-seater coupe with a removable top
Maximum speed: 196 km / h (360 hp)
Options for Buick Riviera Buick Riviera Coupe 1965-1971
The second generation of this model was longer wheelbase and a much more massive two-door coupe body. In 1966, the 7-liter engine refused, but in 1967 a new 7-liter V8. After three years of his working capacity was increased to 7.5 liters, and power - up to 370 hp In 1968, the updated look of the machine, keeping the wheelbase size of 3.02 m. By 1971, after the annual update of the front end, the same shape and was Cadillac Coupe de Ville. The uniqueness of the image disappeared. Mark Riviera continued into the 80s.
Buick Grand National
During the 70s and early 80s. Buick produced a long series of mid-size rear-drive cars Century with the sedan and wagon. A special variant of this model - a six-compartment - called Regal. In the late 70s. There were several versions of its engines with V6 and V8, as well as a 4.3-liter diesel engine. In 1983, Buick again decided to release a special version of the Regal. Named it in honor of the Grand National American Series NASCAR, used the old V6 engine with an angle of the collapse of the cylinder 90 °, equip it with turbo Garrett, and dual exhaust system. Power increased to 200 hp at very high torque.
Then the Grand National was cast alloy wheels, "subdued" design (including the bumpers painted in body color) and a four-manual transmission. Received a powerful sports car that can reach speeds 201 km / h. By 1987, the engine power through the use of fuel injection and air intercooler boost increased to 245 hp, which would allow Grand National accelerate to 217 km / h (assuming that the bus stand).
In 1988, Regal design was completely changed with the transition to front-wheel drive and a waiver of turbocharging. In recent months, production came last "edition" Regal - version "GNX". With the same angular appearance she received a more powerful engine with a turbocharger and a more efficient intercooler. An output of not less than 300 hp and with a modified rear axle track application "GNX" took place 400 meters from the place with a 13.4, speeding to this point up to 167 km / h and continuing to accelerate. Produced was only 500 "GNX" wide tires on, but they became the swan song of the model long-lived!
Buick Regal Grand National with an engine output of 200 hp This is a sport version, with the creation of which all focused on her appearance. In 1987, the engine power increased to 245 hp
Characteristics (1983)
Engine: V6, verhneklapanny
Bore and stroke: 96,52 x86, 36 mm
Displacement: 3791 cm3
Maximum Power: 200 hp
Transmission: 4-speed automatic gearbox, rear axle
Chassis on a steel frame
Suspension: coil springs, front independent, rear axle
Brakes: disc / drum
Body type: 5-seater coupe
Maximum speed: 201 km / h
Buick Reatta ("Buick Rietta")
Many years of leadership Buick cherished dream of a sports car, but always met with resistance higher ranks of General Motors. Buick, they said, produces luxury cars and sports cars for the group is allowed to collect Chevrolet ("Chevy") and Pontiac.
But representatives of the Buick not stop, and by the mid 80s. department has received permission to release the long-awaited two-seater. The result appeared in 1988 He was a model Reatta, whose smooth contours were so graceful, that could only guess where it came from: the UK, Italy or Japan?
Reatta was a compact front wheel drive car platform with a transversely installed engine, like Buick Somerset, and Pontiac Grand Am. Unlike traditional vehicles General Motors, it was simple and thoroughbred coupe. No one tried to call him a "computer car."
Although the appearance of the Reatta was quite different, felt the influence of cars Porsche, Toyota and models of Mazda RX. Hidden under the body content, which is typical in the late 80s. Concern for GeneralMotors. This engine V6, which is based created in the early 60s. 4-speed gearbox, independent front suspension with MacPherson struts.
Body shape worked well (Ca = 0.34), the car very well staffed. The car was able to get up to speed 96 km / h in 10 seconds. Buick said maksimalnskorost 201 km / h and, unlike the Grand National, installed disc brakes on all wheels and fully independent suspension that turned into a real Reatta sports car.
In 1991, a series of enlarged convertible, and a maximum engine power increased to 173 hp
Buick Reatta coupe based on a shortened platform Riviera. It marked the return of General Motors in the mid-size sedan sector. This front-rear-wheel drive vehicle was replaced by Regal and Buick retained the trappings of
Characteristics (1988)
Engine: V6, verhneklapanny
Bore and stroke: 96,52 x86, 36 mm
Displacement: 3791 cm3
Maximum Power: 165 hp
Transmission: 4-speed automatic transmission, front wheel drive
Chassis: load-bearing at the back
Suspension: independent, MacPherson front of the rack, rear transverse leaf springs
Brakes: disc
Body: 2-seater coupe and convertible
Maximum speed: 201 km / h
History of Automobiles: Buick