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eBay Find of the Day: Northstar-powered 1998 Buick Riviera prototype
Northstar-powered 1998 Buick Riviera prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery
As we approach the big SEMA show in Las Vegas next week, it's time to look back at a previous star of the show. Sometime back in the mid-80s the decision was made that Buick would abandon V8 engines and instead be the home of the V6. Even for top models like Riviera and Park Avenue, turbocharged and supercharged versions of the long-lived 3.8-liter V6 would serve propulsive duties. Needless to say, not everyone in the bowels of the Warren Tech Center agreed with this approach.In 1998 a group of GM engineers felt the Riviera should be powered by no fewer than eight cylinders and knew full well it was possible. The Riv of that era shared its platform with other models like the Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Aurora, which of course were powered by the still contemporary Northstar V8. A single Northstar Riviera example was built as concept and trotted out at the 1998 SEMA Show.
Upper management did not agree with the premise and only a year later the whole Riviera program was euthanized. Somehow, that one V8 powered Riv survived and managed to get sold outside of GM on a salvage title. If the styling of that last Riviera doesn't give you convulsions, the car only has 10,200 miles on it and the Buy It Now price is $20K. The current bid of $3,550 hasn't yet hit the reserve so it's anyone's guess what this will go for – if it goes at all.
[Source: eBay]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
The Other Bob 8:33AM (10/28/2009)
"If the styling of that last Riviera doesn't give you convulsions, the..."
Buicks had some of the best lines of any cars in the 90's. They had a more sculpted body than the Buicks now, or anything else from their day. I still like the design of these Rivieras.
How about a Camaro-based Riv?
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Joe 8:37AM (10/28/2009)
I'm still waiting for a Mustang based Cougar. Probably will never happen in either case.
Yaroukh 11:13AM (10/28/2009)
i knew it only from pictures but i have always adored Park Avenue (?Ultra?)
Justin 8:38AM (10/28/2009)
Is it wrong that I really like this?
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The Other Bob 8:48AM (10/28/2009)
With the exception of the wheeels, no.
katshot 9:01AM (10/28/2009)
Yes, it is. Those Riv's were some SERIOUSLY ugly cars IMO. This one is only made worse by those hideous wheels, and the (has the head gasket blown yet?) Northstar under the hood.
Jay 10:04AM (10/28/2009)
Nope, I wouldn't mind getting behind the wheel myself
Luis 10:23AM (10/28/2009)
Don't forget the hideous color. Whose "bright" idea was that? As if the thing wasn't ugly enough.
Yaroukh 11:21AM (10/28/2009)
After couple of views i actually happen to like the wheels too.
realhawker 8:56AM (10/28/2009)
I used to have a 95' in Black/Black - nice looking car. Change those wheels and you have a sharp looking car.
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mr.ed 9:28AM (10/28/2009)
I always liked this blown up interpretation of several Alfa Giulias and Giuliettas, but the interior is so tacky, the effect is lost. Buick did integrate the oval grille and taillights nicely, sometimes bringing the oval inside, too. Everybody's right about the Kmart wheels.
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cowboy bob 9:27AM (10/28/2009)
"Must have V-6's, not V-8's". Perhaps RWD and V-8 power in these cars, and those like MonteCarlo's instead of FWD-V6 and those idiotic "Intimidator" badges od FWD Impala SS's would have helped keep GM out of bankruptcy. Oh, yea, I forgot. It was GM. The poster boy's for "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory".
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Chris 9:59AM (10/28/2009)
If the seller wants the car to be sold, get rid of those rims and take down the photos of the car up on a lift. Seriously!
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LX builder 10:03AM (10/28/2009)
I always liked the look of those cars, but those wheels ... not so much thanks.
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Commander Cool 10:13AM (10/28/2009)
Well those late 90's Rivieras definitely had some awkward styling, but I love them because of it. You won't mistake that for any other coupe on the road. I've wanted to get my hand on a Silver Arrow Riv since they rolled off the line.
Ditch the pencil sharpener wheels and put on some more tasteful exhaust tips and that could be a snazzy lookin car.
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holytaco_904 10:15AM (10/28/2009)
Northstar? No thanks... Well it does only have 10k on it, so you've got about another 10k before you have to worry about replacing both head gaskets, which oh by the way, you have to drop the motor to get to the rear bank. If you don't want to replace the head gaskets I guess you could just like with warping the block and heads and have a continually overheating pig on your hands. These engines were such an accomplishment when they came out but GM never invested/cared enough R&D in these motors to see their long-term issues.
I'd rather have the standard issue 3800 Supercharged, wayyyy better motor.
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Boreas 3:15PM (10/28/2009)
The problems with the headgaskets were the early-90s Northstars. Since 1995 they are practically indestructible.
inline6 10:22AM (10/28/2009)
In my opinion, the '95-99 Riviera was probably the second-prettiest generation of Riv, behind the original. What a fantastic-looking car. Though Generations 3 (boattail) and 2, in that order, are VERY close behind.
The last-gen Riv was just crying out for a V8, as well as a convertible model. In fact, some customization houses offered a convertible conversion for the car, and it was jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
In my opinion, GM missed some major opportunities with this car. But then again, that era was the height of missed opportunity for GM. Sigh.
Today, I firmly believe that Buick should get a Camaro-based Riviera, in coupe and convertible forms. It'd be a size bigger than the CTS coupe, but for a lower starting price.
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skzzilla 10:51AM (10/28/2009)
I love the lines of this generation Riviera except one thing; how the designers seriously overlooked how the exhaust would be integrated into the rear design. This SEMA car actually makes it look more gaudy from the rear. Wish this could have included some sort of rear valance that tucked the exhaust up out of sight.
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Jacob 10:54AM (10/28/2009)
The exterior isn't too bad, but that interior is giving me convulsions.
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