If I have to pick an old school Buick, one that is older than me, I’m narrowed down to a couple of good choices. It’s pretty hard to beat the Buick Skylark, Gran Sport and GSX, it really is, and I do dig the looks of the 1976 Pace Car…a little bit of grunt added underhood, like every other 1976 model car really needs, would do wonders. But I have a strange kink for the second generation Buick Riveras…they’ve got a style to them that just appeals to me. I love the hidden headlight look, the big coupe shape, and the overall impression that you can tell someone in the styling department actually seemed to care a bit about what they were doing. The Riviera was the “personal luxury car” before that term really was common. They were meant to look good, show class, and show some sport. They weren’t serious musclecars, but they weren’t slouches either.
Half a century later, a second-gen Rivi is, in stock form, a pillowy soft cruiser that has some gorgeous looks. Then there is this one, built by John Lyons. It’s a family car deal…it belonged to his aunt before he owned it. While it’s not the original block, don’t sweat, a 1973 455 still qualifies as an all-Buick powertrain, and there’s a Tremec TKO-600 behind it. Yes, there’s a third petal, and yes, that isn’t even scratching the surface of what’s going on with this Riviera. There’s tons of suspension work, the obvious widebody modifications, and the engine itself is set back about a foot from it’s original location. But here’s what you need to know: 788 horsepower, 728 ft/lbs of torque, and it’s all about to scare the holy hell out of one unsuspecting YouTuber who was brave enough to climb into the passenger seat. Hang on, buddy, because once those “cold tires” warm up, things are about to get very, very real.
I’m a lifelong Buick guy. This car is cool overall, BUT no rollcage. How serious can he really be and not at least put a roll bar in it? But, a full rollcage would stiffen up the chassis a ton. Not to mention safety.
Oh…I can’t stand that show host guy. What a poser. Only “knows” modern cars? That’s an excuse for people that only know about shiny stuff and don’t really know how things work or how to make them work better. I hate the term “fully modified”. Nothing is fully modified. It could always be better.
Full carbon doors and cage to come this winter.
John has been nice enough to share some of his suspension tweaks with me for my Riviera. Too bad I’m way behind on time and money to get mine anywhere close to his.
I’ll watch the video some time.
Interesting video, in parts it seemed like I needed waders (gettin’ deep), 3400lbs., think not, 780hp, probably not. The owner (builder) didn’t seem to know about his car, I know every nut, bolt, spec. about my slightly modified MGB (tube frame, custom suspension, 2300lbs. sbc (500hp). Still all in all I like different cars and it sure is. About the host, well I’ll just let that go.
F’n know it all. You don’t know shit.
John< I like your car, this would not be the first time I've been mistaken (nor the last), can't wait to see how your car progresses, good luck.
I\’ll take the Buick over a MG any day. As for the host, he is upfront right at the beginning that he knows very little about classic cars so what is the big deal. Obviously he won\’t forget this one real soon. Two thumbs up.
More Big Block Buicks!