Dennis & Rick should half their own half hour Talk Show on TV once a week! What great chemistry they both have with each other, and really put on a good show! Thank You 😊 so much! Tom, Staten Island, New York. 💥💥💥
My favorite aunt owned a popular restaurant in Orem, Utah. We were having lunch with her one day and I looked out at a new copper colored 1977 Toronado parked right outside from our booth in the parking lot. Bertha had traded in her pink 1955 DeVille sedan for it earlier that same week. I remember her saying, "Well, the Cadillac wasn't making up the driveway to the house very well, so I needed something more dependable," She lived in a new rambling modern ranch house in the foothills and the driveway was steep, winding, and about a quarter mile long. I just stared at that Toronado. And of course, we made her take us for a ride in it. I still think the early Toronados are the most beautiful modern automobiles ever designed. And that's saying something because I'm addicted to Lincolns of that same era. Such beautiful automobiles.
As a kid I crawled into a 66 Riviera at a friend's house and I was in such awe I couldn't believe a car like that could exist. That was in 1970. I have never been that impressed since. However that Turquoise Toronado may be more impressive although I never got to crawl in one. I did have a Cadillac Eldo 1973 but it didn't hold a candle to these two cars. Those cars were masterpieces. Thanks for sharing.
My mom worked at car dealers when I was a kid and I grew up around GM dealerships as a kid. I remember getting taken for a ride in the brand new Toronado. It was like the future! So many great cars in those days!
Tornado Rims are on my Utility Trailer....get so many compliments. Buick Riv...Bo Dereck, Jons Derick wife had one like this. One in Palomino Green/saddle and one freshly minted silver with cranberry velour interior.
I got a 67 riv for my high school graduation in 1976 my Dad paid $1700 for it. What a car!! I will never forget that car and every time I see one I still think of my Dad.
even a 1998 toyota corolla would sound amazing if Dennis would describe it....there are many other classic cars channels but I only watch this one thx to Dennis's way of describing these masterpieces
When I was a teenager, I hired myself out to local farmers (in PA) as a laborer in the summer primarily baling hay. One of the farmers was a gentleman farmer whose primary job was as a school teacher. He had a green Toronado. He used to pick me up and drop me off in that car. And I remember being impressed with the acceleration because it seemed like a big, heavy, quiet luxury car. It would get up and go though. It had a really long hood and was very comfortable. I liked the car.
A good friend of mine bought a '66 Riviera GS, it came with a 465 engine with 2/4bbl carbs, bucket seats and auto on the floor. Nice cars but with gas prices as low as what they were back then they could easily been a daily driver. I enjoyed your show, Dennis, thank's for sharing.
I had an AMT car model of the then new '63 Rivera. What a stunning car to see for the first time. It made what's coming out of Detroit today look like crap. Those were some of the last REAL cars with REAL power!
@@lindavarela8731 I have a 67 Riviera, but no parts that you need. The molding on the right stainless steel, unless you are talking the chrome molding on the bottom front, that meets the bumper.
My dad was a big GM guy. Most of his cars were GM cars. One Pontiac, one Cadillac, four Chevrolets, and seven Oldsmobile's. He got a new car every two years. I was born in 63 so I saw these kinds of cars everyday. They just don't make cars like these with such personality. They were quiet smooth riding cars with plenty of power. The power came on smooth with these big torque monsters. I miss those days. One of the reasons I love cars today. I was always fascinated by them.
Love the Toronado. Back in 1966 my next door neighbor was sister to the newly crowned Miss West Virginia Judy Skunda. Judy was given a different Toronado to drive each month of her reign. Not sure who this 12 year old boy had a bigger crush on - Judy or the T !
I had such a hard on for the RIVERIA and wanted it to be my first car, but I was only 23 back in '68 and couldn't quite afford it. The RIVIERA was a stunning design but a little too pricey for me so I wound up buying the Buick GS400 convertible. Loved my GS !
I own a 69 Riviera GS in 1979 it was my second car and it was beautiful gorgeous with the bucket seats and a t- shift with a console. I did not realize at the time I had a gem.
I was 16 in 1986. We all had '60's muscle cars. As my '66 Nova slept for the winter I drove a beat up '68 Riv. $175! 360 hp, 460 ft lbs. The owners manual came with it. LOVED that car!
My friend's father was a lifetime engine builder for GM from 1961 on up . He used to tell the difference in standards and tolerances for each brand of gm car motor. He said Cadillac was the ultimate in quality and had the tightest tolerances for every piece in every engine. It went Cadillac , Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet. You wouldn't believe how much better a caddy motor was compared to a Chevy. On a piston a caddy motor would be plus or minus 1 to 2 grams allowed for the piston weight and the Chevy would be 35 to 40 grams tolerances lol. Man , I used to love listening to his stories about GM from the 60s and 70s. He even helped me out with a set of heads for my Chevy 302 DZ motor which he magically materialized from somewhere . For my Nova.
2 of my FAVORITE cars! That Toronado is a Dream come true! That Color OMG, love it in wine color, and gold too. I’m a car nut but not much of a Buick man except for these early Riviera’s and I also love the light Greens so so Perfect! Very Lucky Man. Thank You so Much for sharing your treasures with us.
Great video. I owned a '67 Toronado from 1983-87. It was not restored, had ~100,000 miles on it at the time. It was a WONDERFUL car in every respect. Very roomy interior without being super large on the outside. Comfortable, easy to drive, powerful, reliable. I was not in a position to be able to keep it and maintain it then, and have wished for another ever since. Maybe someday...
Same with me loved the personal luxury cars especially of GM my first car was a 1964 Grand Prix and to this day is still by far my most favorite car I've ever owned
The first time I was in a Riviera was 1966, bucket seats, console and beautiful lighting. So smooth, wow, sold, sold, sold. I was 14 I went home later that evening and told my father he had to get a Buick Riviera. He did, a 1968 Riviera in a ghastly green (LOL) same colour as the test vehicle shown. The next year he purchased a 1969 fully loaded Buick Riviera, GLS model. Incredible car. I think the best vehicle I have ever driven. It was executive gray with a black roof. Good looking and so cool to drive down the A 1A in Fort Lauderdale. I was 17 at the time and was in love with my (mother's) 1968 Olds 442. Dad had purchased it with me in mind but I had totaled her Acadian Convertible so... the Olds (which she would not drive) became hers in name only. The Riviera was refined elegance and the 442 brute force.
That car is fabulous. i was 12 when it came out. the best of american iron. it has more style than a corvette and european level of refinement. The owner loves to drive not just own.
Beautiful cars with really neat styling, my parents had a 67 Oldsmobile Toronado when I was a kid growing up in the later 60s. Both the Toronado and the Buick Riveria were beautiful cars.
I remember seeing my first '66 Olds Toronado when I was on a school bus in jr. high. It was blue, and I was just mesmerized by the styling and beauty of that car.
OMG I was in a carpool in grade school, and one of the kids mom had a Riviera EXACTLY like that one! Same color, everything. Sylvia, his mom, would have the windows rolled up, the air on, on a boiling hot LA afternoon, smoking a cigarette. So '60's! Lots of people had both Riviera, and Tornados in those days. They'd pull camper trailers, and boats with them! They were all over the place.
My very first car at the age of 18, still in high school was a Riviera Red 1967 Riviera with an off white interior and a black vinyl roof. Too bad I was immature and didn't appreciate it like I would of now in my mid 60s. I over indulged at a party and totaled it on my way back home. I also had a 1966 in sort of a pewter color with a black interior and a Riviera Turquoise 1967 with a black interior. Loved my Rivs!
Fisher Body Division of General Motors really outdid themselves when they designed, engineered, and built the beautiful bodies of these two magnificent cars. The Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera.
I remember seeing probably a '66 Toronado in the UK back in'67/68 metallic red, it looked like a space ship. I was a teenager and I thought at the time that the future looks bright. It made my day.
I am a Riviera guy all the way, by far those are my favorite cars. When I was growing up we had a 1973 Electra Limited, then a 1980 Riviera. I loved both of them. I loved the front end of the 80 Riviera, but the back in was just sort of an after thought.
That would be great, but there's just absolutely no way any car manufacturer could ever get away with building something like this again. By the time it got dumbed down to being compliant with modern motor vehicle safety standards, none of the sharp lines would be there, the three point nose would be gone, crumple zones would have to be engineered into it, those big round safety bumpers would have to take over. Things like that can be somewhat hidden in say, a first generation Camaro, or a Challenger, or a Mustang. There's still enough of the essence of what made a modern Challenger look like a Challenger, or a modern Camaro kind of resemble a first gen Camaro, and Mustangs translate over pretty well too. If they really wanted to, Chevrolet could probably come up with something that basically looks like a Chevelle, and still have all those required safety features. There's no shortage of Mopar iron that could be modernized, and probably a few Ford cars too. But, by the time they got done shaving the clay off of their '67 Buick Riviera starting point, in a million years, you'd never guess it was supposed to be a Riviera.
Two of the most beautiful American cars ever. Certainly two of the most beautiful from General Motors. What happened cough*Aztek*cough 😄 Thank you for this video. The 1966 Toronado was, and still is, my favorite car of all-time. I was 8 years old when it won Motor Trend's Car of the Year, and I still have the well-read copy (minus the cover).
My dad bought a Riviera new in 1967. Brown w a black vinyl top. 1967 was also the year I was born. I don't remember the car at all but my dad still speaks so fondly of that car to this very day. I'd truly love to find another brown/black '67 to give to him. To be honest, I'm not sure I have ever seen a '67 in the flesh !!
Some of the chosen ones from GM, that I personally like. Thanks Dennis & Rick for the wonderful experience. Looking forward to more of such rare gems showcased Dennis !
When I was allowed a drive in my Uncle Bobs (his daily driver from Yakima to Hanford) 66' Tornado I nearly lost my mind. As fast as my brothers 64' SS, smoother than my Dads 64' Caddie and no hump!
My ‘67 Riviera was a beautiful, fast, smooth riding machine! Incredible lines and built like a tank, but yet very fast. That 430ci is a great motor and purred like a lion. I wish I could afford to buy another one!
Man, two of my all time favorite cars! Thanks for this wonderful video. I had two newer Toronados, one a '75 and the other a '77. Even those were fantastic cars. My friend owned a '64 Riviera and that was an amazing car as well. My uncle owned a 71 which was also cool. Still, these two were my favorites. Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll find one. Oh, with respect to low mileage cars. I own a 1990 5.0L Mustang sedan that I bought new in '90. It has just over 10K miles on it. Everyone likens it to a 1990 time capsule. But that Toro certainly has me beat. 1200 miles. Amazing!!!!
My uncle worked in the design department at GM in the 60’s. He was instrumental to Riviera and Toronado design. He had a real affinity for Cord. Take a long look at a 36 812 and you’ll see what I mean. The Rivera mimicked the Auburn.
Never really considered that before but now I can't unsee it. The Toronado and Riviera were basically spiritual successors given the styling similarities and drivetrain layout.
I remember back in 1968 my Dad bought a '68 Riviera new!! WOW I was the coolest 10 year old on the block cause my Dad had the coolest car around!!😊 It was a non-metallic beige color with buckskin vinyl color interior & vinyl top. Bench seat with a fold down arm rest in the middle. Needless to say I got the car years later & drove it to high school!🙆♂️👍
I can relate to the "right car, wrong color" issue. I looked at a 2000 Deville for months that had been resprayed metallic powder blue. When I finally bought it, it had been drastically discounted and i grew to love that no one else had that color. Ironically, the '05 Deville I currently drive is the same green as this Riviera.
I did my behind the wheel drivers training in a 66 toronado the same color and it was intimidating to say the least. After my first drive the instructor signed off and said go take your licence road test he told me I was a natural. apparently he had more confidence in my ability than I had.
These two cars were the high watermark of Bill Mitchell's career as head stylist of General Motors. Apart from maybe the Corvette C2, the second-gen Riviera and first-gen Toronado were by far the most gorgeous cars to come out of GM in the 1960's.
The Toronado was my dream car as a kid - I built models, had matchbox, HO and slot car versions, made endless drawings, etc. Had to be gold though. After that I locked onto the Cougar.
WE had a '68 Toronado and a '69 Riviera in the family. Both big, beautiful cars with power and creature comfort to spare. GM actually made nice cars back then!
'66 Toronado, without doubt my favourite!! Some may not know, the '66 Toronado was "Motor Trends" car of the year. It also appears in the movie "The Dark Half" (1993) based on Stephen King story (although that one was black). It's one sexy car IMO. 😍💪
I soo love your choice in review ! My fav two of our times ! My personal favorite , buick Riviera 425 wildcat vry impressive seeing it in action ! Thank you guys for posting !
The 66-67 Buick Riviera and the 66 Oldsmobile Toronado are beautiful cars, but don't forget the 68-72 Buick Skylark Custom, that's also a beautiful car.
Dennis, you put a finger on my friend Larry's theory of the origin of the '68 Ferrari Daytona's styling. It owes a tremendous amount to the '66 Toronado. You've noted the Kamm rear end. And note the low belt line, below the top of the wheel wells. Unusual, and both the Toronado and the Daytona have it. And the sail panel that blends into the rear fender without a break. Unusual, and both the Olds and the Ferrari have it.
I think both cars are stunning. I adore the Toronado design as being very forward thinking for the time. The Rivera just has a grace and elegance that is missing from the majority of today's cars. The ones that exhibit any such design stylishness are prohibitively cost exclusive. (RE Maybach Excelero or the recreations marketed by Delahaye USA and others etc...). Thanks for letting us see these beautiful vehicles.
Balanced. @11:00 that word fit what my mind had been thinking but couldn't articulate. Side profiles of both these cars with a driver inside just looks balanced. I've been the owner of a few later models of toronados and el dorados, 84 eldo being my favorite, and they are the best vehicles for road trips. Never had the pleasure of owning a riviera but a brother-in-law introduced me to the style back in 1969 with his 1st generation model.
I have a special relationship with the 1967 Riviera. My first car was a 1972 Fiat 128 2 door in bright yellow. It only had an 1100cc engine but boy would she zip right along. She didn’t have much at the top end but man 0-35 mph or stop sign to stop sign as we called it she was quick. Just a simple 4 speed stick on the floor, not much to say about the interior lol. Anyways, the “connection” or “relationship” with the Riviera began and ended one rather hot August afternoon. This was back around 1984 and my friend and I were going to meet up for lunch at Tony’s Pizzeria for burgers. He was in a Chevy S10 lowered and a stereo with more power than the engine had lol. So we head out and as boys will be boys we were kinda sorta racing each other through our small town and I saw an opportunity to take a shortcut down a side street that didn’t have any stop signs, only the streets that crossed that street had stop signs, so each was a 2way stop not a 4way stop. So I had a clear run for 8-9 blocks and I only needed 5 blocks and then a right turn and zip go 3 blocks and be in Tony’s placing my order before my friend was even in the parking lot lol. Well I accelerated up to the limit of 30mph in 2 blocks distance, it was the 3rd block that would bring me into that relationship I spoke of. See half way through the 3rd block a man in his 50’s and driving a 1967 Riviera (green) was going back to his house because he had forgotten his glasses. When he was about 3 houses away from his house he started to pull into the other lane of this 2 lane street because he was going to just pull up by the sidewalk in front of his house and run inside to get his glasses. Well he only made it past 1 house because I was in that lane doing 30mph until his Riviera tried to eat my Fiat lol. Yep we hit head on grill to grill, he was doing about 20mph when we hit. The engine in my Fiat came backwards through the firewall, through the dash and into the backseat missing me by mere inches. Somehow I ended up in the front passenger seat smushed up against the glove box. Emergency services were called, firemen with hydraulic spreaders (jaws of life) peeled the roof of my little yellow Fiat back, carefully put me on a backboard and swoosh! Off we went to hospital. I had crushed discs in my neck and blown discs in my low back, plus various cuts and whatnot and my leg had snapped right at the knee. Went home after a few days in hospital, went to see my attorney a few days after that. Attorney does what they do and before my injuries were healed I had a very large check deposited in my bank account. Alas the Fiat was dead and her spirit was in Rome where all Italian cars go in the afterlife lol. The Riviera? New radiator and grill, new hood and scrape the yellow paint off of the various places it was on. I had done nothing wrong when he crossed into MY lane, without his glasses that he was supposed to be wearing, while engaging in an illegal manoeuvre and I don’t remember the rest lol Eventually I healed up, lots of physical therapy and a couple surgeries. I was barely 18 years old when it happened and most people assumed I would blow the money being stupid lol. Well, I decided it was time to drive a truck and so thats what I did. Then I bought real estate, 3 townhouses with 2 units in each, in a nice new neighbourhood, and a nice 4 bedroom 3 and a half bathrooms house with 2 car garage and a big backyard. The rest of the money I invested in the stock market. I was set for life! Anyways thats my 1967 Riviera story. Cheers
I always loved both cars. I was also intrigued by the fact that until recently they were not taken into account by collectors! I guess I have a good eye!
I've always thought the GM personal luxury cars were a collector item know matter what anyone else thought one reason was a was a huge fan of them when they were new
Dennis & Rick should half their own half hour Talk Show on TV once a week! What great chemistry they both have with each other, and really put on a good show! Thank You 😊 so much! Tom, Staten Island, New York. 💥💥💥
❤it- agree with that statement wholeheartedly!
My favorite aunt owned a popular restaurant in Orem, Utah. We were having lunch with her one day and I looked out at a new copper colored 1977 Toronado parked right outside from our booth in the parking lot. Bertha had traded in her pink 1955 DeVille sedan for it earlier that same week. I remember her saying, "Well, the Cadillac wasn't making up the driveway to the house very well, so I needed something more dependable," She lived in a new rambling modern ranch house in the foothills and the driveway was steep, winding, and about a quarter mile long. I just stared at that Toronado. And of course, we made her take us for a ride in it. I still think the early Toronados are the most beautiful modern automobiles ever designed. And that's saying something because I'm addicted to Lincolns of that same era. Such beautiful automobiles.
As a kid I crawled into a 66 Riviera at a friend's house and I was in such awe I couldn't believe a car like that could exist. That was in 1970. I have never been that impressed since. However that Turquoise Toronado may be more impressive although I never got to crawl in one. I did have a Cadillac Eldo 1973 but it didn't hold a candle to these two cars. Those cars were masterpieces. Thanks for sharing.
The Riviera must be one of the most striking and beautifully designed cars of the 60s, just bloody gorgeous.
along with 1972
He probably had to beat Jay Leno to the owner for that green car. Beautiful.
No doubt.
Better looking than any Rover from the 60s or 70s that’s for sure
Indeed.
Two of my favorite cars from the 69's.
My mom worked at car dealers when I was a kid and I grew up around GM dealerships as a kid. I remember getting taken for a ride in the brand new Toronado. It was like the future! So many great cars in those days!
I love the lines of the Riviera. It is one of the most elegant icon of that era and aged very well.
Tornado Rims are on my Utility Trailer....get so many compliments. Buick Riv...Bo Dereck, Jons Derick wife had one like this. One in Palomino Green/saddle and one freshly minted silver with cranberry velour interior.
Had a 66 and a 68 Tornado. Just the greatest
I got a 67 riv for my high school graduation in 1976 my Dad paid $1700 for it. What a car!! I will never forget that car and every time I see one I still think of my Dad.
The '66 Toronado is one of my all-time favorite cars.
I can’t get enough of the Oldsmobile’s color combo!
The Tropical Turquoise and Trumpet Gold are the best colors for the Oldsmobile Toronado
Both cars are amazing! The styling on both is just beautiful! Thanks for you informative history and letting us see everything good about the cars!
That Toronado is stunning. A highpoint in US cars.
even a 1998 toyota corolla would sound amazing if Dennis would describe it....there are many other classic cars channels but I only watch this one thx to Dennis's way of describing these masterpieces
Thanks!!
These guys have the nicest old boats in their collection. It’s nut! That tornado is unreal!
When I was a teenager, I hired myself out to local farmers (in PA) as a laborer in the summer primarily baling hay. One of the farmers was a gentleman farmer whose primary job was as a school teacher. He had a green Toronado. He used to pick me up and drop me off in that car. And I remember being impressed with the acceleration because it seemed like a big, heavy, quiet luxury car. It would get up and go though. It had a really long hood and was very comfortable. I liked the car.
A good friend of mine bought a '66 Riviera GS, it came with a 465 engine with 2/4bbl carbs, bucket seats and auto on the floor. Nice cars but with gas prices as low as what they were back then they could easily been a daily driver. I enjoyed your show, Dennis, thank's for sharing.
Great episode. I have a 66 Toronado. Best looking GM car ever in my view. The Riviera too is a 10/10 styling winner.
He is right. The 66-67 Riv is one of the most gorgeous cars ever built.
I need chrome parts for my 67 Buick Riveria , power antenna, c hrome molding for right femder
I had an AMT car model of the then new '63 Rivera. What a stunning car to see for the first time. It made what's coming out of Detroit today look like crap. Those were some of the last REAL cars with REAL power!
@@lindavarela8731 I have a 67 Riviera, but no parts that you need. The molding on the right stainless steel, unless you are talking the chrome molding on the bottom front, that meets the bumper.
Peak Riviera for me was the exquisite 1965 model.
@@machtschnell7452 those lights were my favorite
My dad was a big GM guy. Most of his cars were GM cars. One Pontiac, one Cadillac, four Chevrolets, and seven Oldsmobile's. He got a new car every two years. I was born in 63 so I saw these kinds of cars everyday. They just don't make cars like these with such personality. They were quiet smooth riding cars with plenty of power. The power came on smooth with these big torque monsters. I miss those days. One of the reasons I love cars today. I was always fascinated by them.
Love the Toronado. Back in 1966 my next door neighbor was sister to the newly crowned Miss West Virginia Judy Skunda. Judy was given a different Toronado to drive each month of her reign. Not sure who this 12 year old boy had a bigger crush on - Judy or the T !
i loved them when i was a kid but too young to own one well kept beautiful cars
Wow, two iconic styling masterpieces by GM in the heyday 1960's!!!!
Make that three. Don't forget about the 1967 Eldorado.
Bingo!
I had such a hard on for the RIVERIA and wanted it to be my first car, but I was only 23 back in '68 and couldn't quite afford it. The RIVIERA was a stunning design but a little too pricey for me so I wound up buying the Buick GS400 convertible. Loved my GS !
Beautiful cars. I want one!
I own a 69 Riviera GS in 1979 it was my second car and it was beautiful gorgeous with the bucket seats and a t- shift with a console. I did not realize at the time I had a gem.
I was 16 in 1986. We all had '60's muscle cars. As my '66 Nova slept for the winter I drove a beat up '68 Riv. $175! 360 hp, 460 ft lbs. The owners manual came with it. LOVED that car!
More like 500 ft. lbs. of torque Mark!!😊
My friend's father was a lifetime engine builder for GM from 1961 on up . He used to tell the difference in standards and tolerances for each brand of gm car motor. He said Cadillac was the ultimate in quality and had the tightest tolerances for every piece in every engine. It went Cadillac , Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet. You wouldn't believe how much better a caddy motor was compared to a Chevy. On a piston a caddy motor would be plus or minus 1 to 2 grams allowed for the piston weight and the Chevy would be 35 to 40 grams tolerances lol. Man , I used to love listening to his stories about GM from the 60s and 70s. He even helped me out with a set of heads for my Chevy 302 DZ motor which he magically materialized from somewhere . For my Nova.
2 of my FAVORITE cars! That Toronado is a Dream come true! That Color OMG, love it in wine color, and gold too. I’m a car nut but not much of a Buick man except for these early Riviera’s and I also love the light Greens so so Perfect! Very Lucky Man. Thank You so Much for sharing your treasures with us.
Great video. I owned a '67 Toronado from 1983-87. It was not restored, had ~100,000 miles on it at the time. It was a WONDERFUL car in every respect. Very roomy interior without being super large on the outside. Comfortable, easy to drive, powerful, reliable. I was not in a position to be able to keep it and maintain it then, and have wished for another ever since. Maybe someday...
Beautiful cars. Always a luxury fan over speed. Thanks to the owner for sharing.
Same with me loved the personal luxury cars especially of GM my first car was a 1964 Grand Prix and to this day is still by far my most favorite car I've ever owned
The first time I was in a Riviera was 1966, bucket seats, console and beautiful lighting. So smooth, wow, sold, sold, sold. I was 14 I went home later that evening and told my father he had to get a Buick Riviera. He did, a 1968 Riviera in a ghastly green (LOL) same colour as the test vehicle shown. The next year he purchased a 1969 fully loaded Buick Riviera, GLS model. Incredible car. I think the best vehicle I have ever driven. It was executive gray with a black roof. Good looking and so cool to drive down the A 1A in Fort Lauderdale. I was 17 at the time and was in love with my (mother's) 1968 Olds 442. Dad had purchased it with me in mind but I had totaled her Acadian Convertible so... the Olds (which she would not drive) became hers in name only. The Riviera was refined elegance and the 442 brute force.
That car is fabulous. i was 12 when it came out. the best of american iron. it has more style than a corvette and european level of refinement. The owner loves to drive not just own.
Beautiful cars with really neat styling, my parents had a 67 Oldsmobile Toronado when I was a kid growing up in the later 60s. Both the Toronado and the Buick Riveria were beautiful cars.
I am not typically into classic cars. But DAYUM these things are beautiful. I would love to own either one!
I remember seeing my first '66 Olds Toronado when I was on a school bus in jr. high. It was blue, and I was just mesmerized by the styling and beauty of that car.
OMG I was in a carpool in grade school, and one of the kids mom had a Riviera EXACTLY like that one! Same color, everything. Sylvia, his mom, would have the windows rolled up, the air on, on a boiling hot LA afternoon, smoking a cigarette. So '60's! Lots of people had both Riviera, and Tornados in those days. They'd pull camper trailers, and boats with them! They were all over the place.
My very first car at the age of 18, still in high school was a Riviera Red 1967 Riviera with an off white interior and a black vinyl roof. Too bad I was immature and didn't appreciate it like I would of now in my mid 60s. I over indulged at a party and totaled it on my way back home. I also had a 1966 in sort of a pewter color with a black interior and a Riviera Turquoise 1967 with a black interior. Loved my Rivs!
Two if my favorite cars the toronado is just spectacular, style,color,
The 60's were the best cars of our times !
A used to have a 1969 Riviera. Fun car and very fast in a straight line.
Love Love Love Love Love.... !!
That 430 is a torque monster. I had one in my 68 Electra 225 convertible.
1200 miles in 52 years!!! Sincere condolences all the owners and the relatives to those owners for having such relatives…..
Fisher Body Division of General Motors really outdid themselves when they designed, engineered, and built the beautiful bodies of these two magnificent cars. The Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera.
I remember seeing probably a '66 Toronado in the UK back in'67/68 metallic red, it looked like a space ship. I was a teenager and I thought at the time that the future looks bright. It made my day.
I am a Riviera guy all the way, by far those are my favorite cars. When I was growing up we had a 1973 Electra Limited, then a 1980 Riviera. I loved both of them. I loved the front end of the 80 Riviera, but the back in was just sort of an after thought.
That Toronado color is my absolute favorite classic color! The blue Chevelle SS is a close second for me.
They need to make these old cars again, same style but with new technology in them
And thicker metal instead of fiberglass and cardboard!!!
@@shawnaburns5158 I agree, but the EPA don't play that...
That would be great, but there's just absolutely no way any car manufacturer could ever get away with building something like this again. By the time it got dumbed down to being compliant with modern motor vehicle safety standards, none of the sharp lines would be there, the three point nose would be gone, crumple zones would have to be engineered into it, those big round safety bumpers would have to take over. Things like that can be somewhat hidden in say, a first generation Camaro, or a Challenger, or a Mustang. There's still enough of the essence of what made a modern Challenger look like a Challenger, or a modern Camaro kind of resemble a first gen Camaro, and Mustangs translate over pretty well too. If they really wanted to, Chevrolet could probably come up with something that basically looks like a Chevelle, and still have all those required safety features. There's no shortage of Mopar iron that could be modernized, and probably a few Ford cars too. But, by the time they got done shaving the clay off of their '67 Buick Riviera starting point, in a million years, you'd never guess it was supposed to be a Riviera.
@@sped6954 restomod can be your friend, just saying. Many possibilities.
That would be freaking awesome 👌
Two of the most beautiful American cars ever. Certainly two of the most beautiful from General Motors. What happened cough*Aztek*cough 😄
Thank you for this video. The 1966 Toronado was, and still is, my favorite car of all-time. I was 8 years old when it won Motor Trend's Car of the Year, and I still have the well-read copy (minus the cover).
I had a 1969 Buick Riviera. Loved it.
That was a really beautiful car
Had a '68 Tornado. My favorite styling of the first generation.
Drool. I was a kid when these cars came out. I was a car nut even then. I love these cars!
I was born almost a decade later.... I love both of those cars
Rick, couldn't agree more. When I saw the 66 Toronado, the future had arrived. 67 Riviera, most beautiful design GM ever made.
I got to drive my parent’s 1967 custom Riviera Gold Riviera with vinyl top! 160 mph on the barrel speedo! I want an other!
The early 70s Boat tail Rivieras were effing beautiful. A neighbor had 73' along with his 70' Road Runner back then.
My dad bought a Riviera new in 1967. Brown w a black vinyl top. 1967 was also the year I was born. I don't remember the car at all but my dad still speaks so fondly of that car to this very day. I'd truly love to find another brown/black '67 to give to him. To be honest, I'm not sure I have ever seen a '67 in the flesh !!
My grandfather had a 66 Toro and my adopted grandfather had a 67 Riv both fantastic cars
Some of the chosen ones from GM, that I personally like. Thanks Dennis & Rick for the wonderful experience. Looking forward to more of such rare gems showcased Dennis !
The old's is a beauty!!!👍
When I was allowed a drive in my Uncle Bobs (his daily driver from Yakima to Hanford) 66' Tornado I nearly lost my mind. As fast as my brothers 64' SS, smoother than my Dads 64' Caddie and no hump!
My ‘67 Riviera was a beautiful, fast, smooth riding machine! Incredible lines and built like a tank, but yet very fast. That 430ci is a great motor and purred like a lion. I wish I could afford to buy another one!
Man, two of my all time favorite cars! Thanks for this wonderful video.
I had two newer Toronados, one a '75 and the other a '77. Even those were fantastic cars.
My friend owned a '64 Riviera and that was an amazing car as well. My uncle owned a 71
which was also cool. Still, these two were my favorites. Who knows, maybe one of these days
I'll find one. Oh, with respect to low mileage cars. I own a 1990 5.0L Mustang
sedan that I bought new in '90. It has just over 10K miles on it. Everyone likens it to a 1990
time capsule. But that Toro certainly has me beat. 1200 miles. Amazing!!!!
My uncle worked in the design department at GM in the 60’s. He was instrumental to Riviera and Toronado design. He had a real affinity for Cord. Take a long look at a 36 812 and you’ll see what I mean. The Rivera mimicked the Auburn.
Never really considered that before but now I can't unsee it. The Toronado and Riviera were basically spiritual successors given the styling similarities and drivetrain layout.
bet he had many stories involving Bill Mitchell
Real artists. The Cord was an incredible design. Art deco car.
My first car was a Toronado (1975). I loved it. My neighbor gave in to me. I will NEVER get rid of her.
@@Chris_Troxler
Your neighbor or the car? lol.
Cool car, loved to see the lights down...
I remember back in 1968 my Dad bought a '68 Riviera new!! WOW I was the coolest 10 year old on the block cause my Dad had the coolest car around!!😊 It was a non-metallic beige color with buckskin vinyl color interior & vinyl top. Bench seat with a fold down arm rest in the middle. Needless to say I got the car years later & drove it to high school!🙆♂️👍
I can relate to the "right car, wrong color" issue. I looked at a 2000 Deville for months that had been resprayed metallic powder blue. When I finally bought it, it had been drastically discounted and i grew to love that no one else had that color. Ironically, the '05 Deville I currently drive is the same green as this Riviera.
Thar 425 Olds. was a BEAST !!!!
I did my behind the wheel drivers training in a 66 toronado the same color and it was intimidating to say the least. After my first drive the instructor signed off and said go take your licence road test he told me I was a natural. apparently he had more confidence in my ability than I had.
Two absolutely beautiful cars
The whole scene - including house - looks like an image out of a 60's GM brochure.
During that era , you were surrounded by style.
These two cars were the high watermark of Bill Mitchell's career as head stylist of General Motors. Apart from maybe the Corvette C2, the second-gen Riviera and first-gen Toronado were by far the most gorgeous cars to come out of GM in the 1960's.
Love those old Buicks! I had a 70 Skylark (Wished I kept it). They have great styling, ride and plenty of power. Amazing cars that oozed styling!
The Toronado was my dream car as a kid - I built models, had matchbox, HO and slot car versions, made endless drawings, etc. Had to be gold though. After that I locked onto the Cougar.
WE had a '68 Toronado and a '69 Riviera in the family. Both big, beautiful cars with power and creature comfort to spare. GM actually made nice cars back then!
They certainly did that's why they were the world's leader for cars back then
Sad what happened since. Late 50s to mid 60s are still and will forever be my favorite American cars.
Classic cars and classic music! Ah, where'd the time go!!!
'66 Toronado, without doubt my favourite!! Some may not know, the '66 Toronado was "Motor Trends" car of the year. It also appears in the movie "The Dark Half" (1993) based on Stephen King story (although that one was black). It's one sexy car IMO. 😍💪
I wish we could go back to the mid to late sixties and just stay there.
I soo love your choice in review ! My fav two of our times ! My personal favorite , buick Riviera 425 wildcat vry impressive seeing it in action ! Thank you guys for posting !
The 66-67 Buick Riviera and the 66 Oldsmobile Toronado are beautiful cars, but don't forget the 68-72 Buick Skylark Custom, that's also a beautiful car.
Just gorgeous automobiles the interiors are really kick a##
'66 and '67 Riv epitomizes swank like no other car. Especially with the buckets.
"Riv"? Seriously? You're just as big a dork as he is. lol
beautiful!
Dennis, you put a finger on my friend Larry's theory of the origin of the '68 Ferrari Daytona's styling. It owes a tremendous amount to the '66 Toronado. You've noted the Kamm rear end. And note the low belt line, below the top of the wheel wells. Unusual, and both the Toronado and the Daytona have it. And the sail panel that blends into the rear fender without a break. Unusual, and both the Olds and the Ferrari have it.
On my 68 Toronado, I fit a Pontiac trans am rear spoiler.
It really deepened the cove!
Looked great!
That 66 is an absolutely beautiful looking car
I think both cars are stunning. I adore the Toronado design as being very forward thinking for the time. The Rivera just has a grace and elegance that is missing from the majority of today's cars. The ones that exhibit any such design stylishness are prohibitively cost exclusive. (RE Maybach Excelero or the recreations marketed by Delahaye USA and others etc...). Thanks for letting us see these beautiful vehicles.
I came for the Riviera but now I've fallen in love with the Toronado.
The toronado is absolutely gorgeous, my favorite,and I had a 69 Mach one red and black but the 66 toronado was my first love,
Don't you wish you still had that 1969 Mach1?
I have a 66 riv gold and people love it everywhere I go. I have buckets seats and airplane shifter!
Balanced. @11:00 that word fit what my mind had been thinking but couldn't articulate. Side profiles of both these cars with a driver inside just looks balanced. I've been the owner of a few later models of toronados and el dorados, 84 eldo being my favorite, and they are the best vehicles for road trips. Never had the pleasure of owning a riviera but a brother-in-law introduced me to the style back in 1969 with his 1st generation model.
as far as I remember I always wanted to drive an Oldsmobile Toronado and a Buick Riviera.
Those could be the only two cars in my collection and I would be completely happy
Stepdad had '67 Toronado. What a beast!
I have a special relationship with the 1967 Riviera. My first car was a 1972 Fiat 128 2 door in bright yellow. It only had an 1100cc engine but boy would she zip right along. She didn’t have much at the top end but man 0-35 mph or stop sign to stop sign as we called it she was quick. Just a simple 4 speed stick on the floor, not much to say about the interior lol. Anyways, the “connection” or “relationship” with the Riviera began and ended one rather hot August afternoon. This was back around 1984 and my friend and I were going to meet up for lunch at Tony’s Pizzeria for burgers. He was in a Chevy S10 lowered and a stereo with more power than the engine had lol. So we head out and as boys will be boys we were kinda sorta racing each other through our small town and I saw an opportunity to take a shortcut down a side street that didn’t have any stop signs, only the streets that crossed that street had stop signs, so each was a 2way stop not a 4way stop. So I had a clear run for 8-9 blocks and I only needed 5 blocks and then a right turn and zip go 3 blocks and be in Tony’s placing my order before my friend was even in the parking lot lol. Well I accelerated up to the limit of 30mph in 2 blocks distance, it was the 3rd block that would bring me into that relationship I spoke of. See half way through the 3rd block a man in his 50’s and driving a 1967 Riviera (green) was going back to his house because he had forgotten his glasses. When he was about 3 houses away from his house he started to pull into the other lane of this 2 lane street because he was going to just pull up by the sidewalk in front of his house and run inside to get his glasses. Well he only made it past 1 house because I was in that lane doing 30mph until his Riviera tried to eat my Fiat lol. Yep we hit head on grill to grill, he was doing about 20mph when we hit. The engine in my Fiat came backwards through the firewall, through the dash and into the backseat missing me by mere inches. Somehow I ended up in the front passenger seat smushed up against the glove box. Emergency services were called, firemen with hydraulic spreaders (jaws of life) peeled the roof of my little yellow Fiat back, carefully put me on a backboard and swoosh! Off we went to hospital. I had crushed discs in my neck and blown discs in my low back, plus various cuts and whatnot and my leg had snapped right at the knee. Went home after a few days in hospital, went to see my attorney a few days after that. Attorney does what they do and before my injuries were healed I had a very large check deposited in my bank account. Alas the Fiat was dead and her spirit was in Rome where all Italian cars go in the afterlife lol. The Riviera? New radiator and grill, new hood and scrape the yellow paint off of the various places it was on. I had done nothing wrong when he crossed into MY lane, without his glasses that he was supposed to be wearing, while engaging in an illegal manoeuvre and I don’t remember the rest lol
Eventually I healed up, lots of physical therapy and a couple surgeries. I was barely 18 years old when it happened and most people assumed I would blow the money being stupid lol. Well, I decided it was time to drive a truck and so thats what I did. Then I bought real estate, 3 townhouses with 2 units in each, in a nice new neighbourhood, and a nice 4 bedroom 3 and a half bathrooms house with 2 car garage and a big backyard. The rest of the money I invested in the stock market. I was set for life! Anyways thats my 1967 Riviera story.
Cheers
I always loved both cars. I was also intrigued by the fact that until recently they were not taken into account by collectors! I guess I have a good eye!
I've always thought the GM personal luxury cars were a collector item know matter what anyone else thought one reason was a was a huge fan of them when they were new
My buddy owned a 65 Rivi which had the clam shell headlamps bucket seats and wood interior trim. I thought the headlamps were killer!
Very nice! That Riv is just amazing.
WOW...I have no words...!