Mike Savage New Canaan | Why the 1965 Buick Riviera is just one of the Coolest Vintage Cars Ever Made

Mike Savage New Canaan
7 min readOct 14, 2021

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The 1965 Buick Riviera was quite an automobile. Released in the year I was birthed; it was the last year for the “very first generation” Riviera model — as well as by far the most effective. A unique, recognizable body design that included a large cabin and housed a powerful V8 engine has now end up being a sought-after treasure of classic automobile collectors. I was lucky adequate to have one for a few months in my youth. Here are a few of its power statistics:

* 0–60 in 8 secs

* Quarter mile in 16 secs

* Full throttle observed 115 MILES PER HOUR

  • Mileage 13.2 MPG

With a 401 Wildcat under the hood, I had no trouble obtaining where I intended to go. And also, while the body was big, it was rather maneuverable thanks to the conventional devices power guiding as well as stiff durable suspension. As well as who claims arriving quick can’t remain in style? Take a look at several of the functions it featured:

* Front bucket seats

* Bucket-style rear seats

* Cruise control

* Tilt guiding wheel

* Center console floor-shifter & storage comp.

* Power home windows, consisting of wing-window!

* Motorist side 4-way power seat

* Air conditioning

* AM/FM radio with power antenna

This 1965 car had more stuff than my 1985 Toyota did! I can remember cranking up the radio with the cruise control on doing 75 while readjusting my power seat, the tilt wheel, and the power wing windows. Ah to be young once more — those were the days.

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Yet the genuine feature that made the 1965 Buick Riviera attract attention from all the other years were the hidden headlights. Tucked concealed by the clam-shell covers that opened up and closed immediately on the external sides of the automobile, they were returned right into the grille for all future body styles where they had been the previous 2 years.

Back in the mid-80’s these cars and trucks were a great deal less complicated to locate, yet there are some original vehicles still sitting in driveways out there is rural as well as rural America. You might be able to pick one up for $1,000 if you do your research. Much fewer booming locations far from huge city cities are your best bet for uncovering one of these hidden gems.

Discover one, spend time and/or cash into restoring it, and also you will have something special. It’s an excellent investment also; you simply can’t lose bring back traditional American cars.

There is one more unique Riviera worth stating which is the 1972 model, called the “torpedo back.” I have never owned one of those — not yet anyhow!

American muscle cars are the collective term for any high performance vehicles. It looks just like any ordinary car around. The only difference is seen in their large and powerful engines. These high performance cars have 2 door rear wheel drive cars. And the engine is no less than V8.

The first recorded muscle cars were in the 1960s. It was used mainly in the streets for racing. They are different from sports cars and GTs. They are actually made not just with the power but also faster than any other produced cars.

Muscle cars have the philosophy of the hot rodder which is equipping small cars with bug engines. It has the 98 hp or 73 kW weaklings. They are usually made for straight line speed. They have neither sophisticated chassis nor European lithe appearance of high performance cars.

There are much debated opinions regarding these racing cars. Some say that it is a full-sized car. Others see it as a pony car or compact. But it does not construe its powerful engines. Everyone agrees to it.

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There is recent information that the first muscle car was made in 1949. It was called Oldsmobile Rocket 88. This was actually the start of the creations of the early cars. This is where the idea of muscle cars came from. It all came from the Oldsmobile Rocket 88.

After the Oldsmobile Rocket 88, other car manufacturers came out and showcase some high performance cars. In 1955, C-300 or Chrysler 300 was developed with a Hemi Power. It can accelerate up to 60 mph or 97 km/h in just less than 10 seconds. Rambler Rebel was the developed in 1957. This was the fastest American sedan.

Because of these, the performances of these cars were developed into one and the new cars were developed. The cars were developed with popularity. In 1962, the fastest muscle cars were produced by Dodge. But the newer visions that were made by Chevrolet and Oldsmobile were built to join the invention of Dodge. There were also other manufacturers that made fastest cars during these years.

The version of the Ford of cars came in the year 1964 to 1965. Their kind of muscle cars is in Hemi engines. The Cars for turn key drag racers were then developed during these times. They were patterned and made as another type of muscle cars.

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There are many other types of muscle cars that were made. There are different kinds of designs and styles in different parts of the world. The modern muscle cars of America are in just like the size on ordinary cars seen in the streets, and have four doors. The popular productions of these types came out in the year 1994 to 1996.

Modern American muscle cars today are mostly procured for collection. It is bought yet hardly used. They come very expensive and only a few could afford its luxury. They come around 500 thousand US dollars. The younger generation is mostly drawn to this type of car because it looks very chic.

Such high-end cars last for so many years. They are made with only the highest quality materials and are very durable. Some low profile owners will also use it in their everyday routine. Some hardly join races. They just want to own fast cars.

After the World War II, muscle cars became an instant hit, as motorists and car buyers aimed to acquire vehicles that would showcase and show great power and speed. The term was basically a name description of what the car was to the industry.

Muscle cars were considered the instruments to bring back the glory and profitability of the global car industry. Muscle autos were hugely popular in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

With the emergence of many other car brands and more superior car models, muscle cars are now nowhere in the map of global cars. However, there are still some of those vehicles that are in circulation within the market.

Those muscle autos are now considered novelty and collectors’ items. If you happen to own one, it surely would be your interest to improve and revitalize the look and performance of your old car. Thus, you would certainly find ways on how you can rebuild and modify your muscle auto.

Here are some suggested procedures on how you can rebuild and revitalize the look and feel of your muscle autos. Take note that some auto detailing techniques may already be familiar to you, especially if you are into regular auto detailing.

1. Plan the restoration process ahead of time. Muscle cars are important and are sensitive cars. Any error or mistake on the rebuilding and auto detailing procedure could greatly harm and alter the overall appearance of the exterior of the car.

Thus, it would be advisable if you would do a research and ask experts on what to do right about your muscle auto. Make a simple list of things to do and do a checklist to serve as a guide as you do the rebuilding and modifying process.

2. Spend time and more effort rebuilding the body of the muscle cars. Pay particular attention to details. The overall body of the car should be given more care and proper treatment. Do you need to modify and do little changes at the engine and the overall system?

If you are not too familiar with it, just leave it to the experts. Just tell them what you want, what you aim and what you intend to do and let them do the rest.

3. Settle to do a major auto detailing. When the insides of the muscle autos are modified and improved, take time to do a major auto detailing process.

When you auto detail muscle cars, you aim to revamp and overhaul the total exterior and physical package of the vehicles. Repaint. Spend to repair damaged parts. Check the wheels. In no time, the muscle autos would look as awesome as new again.

4. To wrap things up, check the overall electrical system of the muscle autos. Pay attention to the electrical wirings responsible for the proper functioning of lights and horns. Make sure the battery is functioning well.

5. There is no need to change the overall physical appearance or the assembly of the body packaging, not unless you want to remodel your muscle autos. If you do so, your muscle cars would cease to be muscle cars and should be called through other names.

As your muscle cars take a new rejuvenation and look, always remember that muscle cars would not ever function like the modern powerful cars. During their time, muscle autos were the most powerful vehicles on the road.

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Mike Savage New Canaan
Mike Savage New Canaan

Written by Mike Savage New Canaan

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Mike Savage of New Canaan, CT is a recognized leader in virtual accounting services and a Lego and koi fish enthusiast.

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