General Motors used to be the driving force behind the success of Detroit. Dubbed "Motor City," the once thriving city saw some of the most iconic vehicles come out of its factories. The number of cars produced was so staggering for its time that dozens of models never made it to the main stage.
Out of all the Buicks ever made, some of the classic cars really stand out. Buicks such as the Riviera are among the coolest Buicks ever made. Their elongated figure and very classic feel give them a very distinctive look. The best part about the Riviera is its potential to be heavily modified and become a true show-stopper.
10 Boattail
The Riviera is one huge two-door coupe. Without any aftermarket parts, the Riviera is already quite impressive thanks to its growling sound and size. As a result, turning a stock Riviera into a real head turner can be done quite easily. This Riviera is the perfect example of a job well done.
When looking at this beautiful Riviera Boattail sitting on 22" Lexani rims, it is fair to assume that a Riviera must cost an arm and a leg. In fact, the Riviera is one of those American classics that is far cheaper than you think. Thanks to the airbag suspension installed on the car, it is possible to go from really low to a bit higher.
9 Blown
Though some people may perceive blower-equipped engines as foolish, they are a clear indicator that serious work has been done to the engine.
This Riviera is unlike most blown cars. Its interior remained stock and the body of the car does not seem transformed at all. It's an entirely different ball-game under the hood. The big-block V8 is equipped with dual quads and a supercharger. That should give you an idea of how much power this beautiful Riviera produces. The car is up for sale in Mesa, AZ for about $93,000.
8 Pimping
Cars such as the Riviera are not known for their performance on the track or on the drag strip. In fact, the Riviera would be the kind of car somebody would drive to go to the races. Being an elegant cruiser car, the Riviera is often given a treatment that enhances its elegance.
The long Riviera is perfect for a nice set of large rims and a tastefully chosen paint job. This show car definitely belongs at car meets and should be featured at SEMA. The car has such a classy feel to it that it's hard to think about adding stickers to the side doors, for example. A back spoiler? Yikes.
7 Slick
Over the years, modified car enthusiasts have seen a plethora of two-tone classic and modern American cars. So much so that the style is really becoming, well, dull. However, the body of a given car will play a great role. For example, a two-toned 2019 Dodge Challenger may be a bit boring. On the other hand, a 1970 Buick Riviera can pull that off.
The Riviera is the sort of classic car that is perfect for somebody's next restomod. When looking at this Riviera, one would think that the car simply received a few external modifications. That is not the case, this beauty was fitted with a nice LS1 V8 engine.
6 Street Racer
As previously mentioned, the Riviera sure is not known for being a sporty car. Despite Buick making some seriously huge engines available (7.0L V8 at best), the Riviera was simply too massive to compete against other true muscle cars such as the Charger or the Marauder.
This Riviera GS looks like a mix between an old school Camaro and Trans Am. It looks sporty and ready to tear up a Mustang during a street race. Rivieras have the reputation of being somewhat sluggish, but definitely not that one. The twin-turbocharged 430ci has been tuned to produce 785hp.
5 Golden Cruiser
Given the size and status of the Riviera, it is practically impossible to have at least one extremely shiny modified one. The blacked-out look or two-toned light and dark gray styles do fit the car perfectly, but the styles are so played out that they are not turning heads as much as they used to.
They said money doesn't buy happiness. Though this adage may be somewhat true, money can buy a sick looking Riviera that was featured on Jay Leno's Garage. So much work was put in this Riviera that it's practically impossible to say how much time and money was invested in it.
4 Drag Ready
Classic cars have been modified for years now. Though purists may want to burn tuners on the public square, most of the restomod projects are simply gorgeous. Though highly underrated, the Riviera is the perfect base to create anything from a stylish California cruiser to a mean drag-ready monster.
The first thing that really stands out is the back wheels. Their width is beyond what is commonly found on a car of that standing. It is a clear indicator that something overly powerful is sitting under the hood. This Riviera allegedly won first place in several contests according to sources online.
3 Murdered-Out
From the Camaro to the AMC Javelin, the black on black custom style has been applied to just about every single muscle car ever made. This approach is a sure hit, as most blacked-out rides tend to look mean. As they are often equipped with serious aftermarket exhaust systems such as the American Thunder, it is practically impossible to look away as the cars drive by.
The best part about the murdered-out look is that it does not require hours and hours of work. Unlike some of the more craftily modified cars out there, most murdered-out vehicles can be given a mean look thanks to a nicely applied wrap and a set of tastefully chosen rims. This Riviera sure looks exquisite in that black robe.
2 Corvette Killer
Sometimes tuners tend to go a bit far. They take a regular car and turn it into a doomsday machine. From the looks to the performance, there is not a single aspect they won’t capitalize on to create a "wow" factor. However, it is highly uncommon to see that kind of treatment being applied to a car like the Riviera.
It’s fair to say that this is far from being the sexiest Riviera out here. However, true gearheads will appreciate the work that was put into it. The car develops 788hp thanks to a modified 455ci V8. The entire car was rebuilt to handle such power, thus making it more powerful than a Roush Mustang.
1 Silver Bullet
The restomod fad has birthed some of the most gnarly vehicles out there. From the 1,000hp Ford F1 to the 700hp plus Mach 1 Mustang, tuners nationwide have created some seriously demonic vehicles. Restomodding a classic doesn’t mean it has to go that far. It is also possible to restomod an oldie in a very classy way.
That being said, this restomod is not a dull Riviera. The original engine was removed, and a modified LS3 V8 took its place. Now producing 430hp, this Riviera is somewhat of a sleeper car. However, its aftermarket exhaust system might be a dead giveaway that the Riviera sure is not a sluggish classic.