The Buick Riviera GS is a hugely popular classic car, a version of the first generation of the Buick Riviera that we first saw back in 1963. The Riviera itself has not been around since the late 1990s, but what if the original version were to be reborn as a modern reproduction or restomod style car? Well, talented digital car renderer Oscar Vargas has crafted a render of the first generation Riviera GS and brought it into the 21st century.
Two Very Different Designs
Helpfully, Vargas has also superimposed the original Riviera GS, so we can compare the two versions of the car. At the front of the new version, the grille area is much reduced and streamlined over the original Riviera GS. Gone are the chrome bumpers below the grille, replaced by something that is up to 21st century standards. The modern grille is more of a mesh style compared to the original Riviera GS, and Vargas has added the modern Buick logo onto the front of the car as well as wings on either side. The headlights hark to the original car, vertical and rectangular.
Moving Across The Rest Of The Car
The modern design changes are evident across the rest of the car. The new Riviera GS looks to sit lower than the original, but Vargas has retained the same wheel design as the original version to keep some of those classic elements. It is still a two-door, with the doors themselves actually looking smaller than on the first generation Riviera GS. The overall styling of the car does have a bit more modern Dodge to it than Buick, but of course, it has to comply with modern safety standards.
Minimal Changes Viewable At The Rear
There is sadly no rearview of this modernized Riviera GS, but the back end has a couple of changes. The back is now arched underneath with a bulge running along the side. The back end also looks stubbier and shorter, which when we look at the car as a whole piece again, is evident of a shorter looking car overall than the classic it uses as its basis. Overall, it's quite a tasteful and well executed modern redesign. There are plenty of elements of the original, while it also has features and design cues that bring it into the 21st century.
Source: wb.artist20 Instagram Page