| The Buick Riviera that was released and sold in | | | | wing windows. Ah to be young again - those |
| the year I was born, 1965, was quite a vehicle. It | | | | were the days. |
| was the last year for the "first generation" Riviera | | | | But the real feature that made the 1965 Buick |
| model - and by far the best. A unique, | | | | Riviera stand out from all the other years were |
| recognizable body style that encompassed a | | | | the hidden headlights. Tucked out of sight by the |
| spacious cabin and housed a powerful V8 engine | | | | clam-shell covers that opened and closed |
| has now become a sought-after gem of classic | | | | automatically on the outer edges of the vehicle, |
| car collectors. I was fortunate enough to have | | | | they were moved back into the grille for all future |
| one for a few months in my youth. Here are | | | | body styles (where they had been the previous 2 |
| some of its power stats: | | | | years. |
| *0-60 in 8 seconds *Quarter mile in 16 seconds | | | | Back in the mid-80's these cars were a lot easier |
| *Top speed observed 115 MPH *Mileage 13.2 MPG | | | | to find, but there are some original vehicles still |
| With a 401 Wildcat under the hood, I had no | | | | sitting in driveways out there is suburban and rural |
| trouble getting where I wanted to go. And while | | | | America. You might be able to pick one up for |
| the body was large, it was quite maneuverable | | | | $1,000 if you do your homework. Less populated |
| thanks to the standard equipment power steering | | | | areas away from big metro cities are your best |
| and stiff heavy-duty suspension. And who says | | | | bet for discovering one of these hidden gems. |
| getting there fast can't be in style? Check out | | | | Find one, invest some time and/or money into |
| some of the features it came with: | | | | restoring it, and you will have something special. |
| *Front bucket seats *Bucket-style rear seats | | | | It's a good investment too; you just can't lose |
| *Cruise control *Tilt steering wheel *Center | | | | restoring classic American cars. |
| console floor-shifter & storage comp. *Power | | | | There is another unique Riviera worth mentioning |
| windows, including wing-window! *Driver side | | | | here, and that is the 1972 model, otherwise |
| 4-way power seat *Air conditioning *AM/FM radio | | | | known as the "torpedo back." A |
| with power antenna | | | | neighbor-mechanic of mine told me they love |
| This 1965 car had more stuff than my 1985 | | | | those things in Las Vegas (this was in 1985). I |
| Toyota did! I can remember cranking up the radio | | | | have never owned one of those - not yet |
| with the cruise control on doing 75 while adjusting | | | | anyway! |
| my power seat, the tilt wheel, and the power | | | | |