William Oliver continues to impress with his Cohort contributions. In this series of photographs, taken in Toronto, he’s captured two of the most beautiful GM products of the 1960s: first-generation editions of the Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado.
The Eldo is a 1969, the last year of the first series, first introduced in 1967. This ’69 looks as though it’s wearing pince-nez, appropriately classy for Cadillac’s fanciest coupe.
Personally, I think the first Eldo looks best as a ’67-68 model with the hidden headlights. Paint it black like this one and it looks devastatingly elegant yet menacing, like a lean and muscular assassin in a well-fitting suit.
This ’69 looks more like the assassin swapped his tux for a suit with a wider lapel and put on some loafers. When you’ve got a sexy body and a handsome, square-jawed face, however, you can pull off pretty much anything.
Then there’s the Bill Mitchell-designed Riviera, a little leaner and more European in appearance. In a reverse of the Eldorado’s situation, the Riv gained hidden headlights a few years into its run. I think it looks stunning either way.
That includes the gorgeous interior.
Again, I wouldn’t say this is the perfect color for the Riviera. It looks best in silver, a color that shows off that gracefully curved beltline and the bladed fenders. This is a design that was praised by automotive figures as varied as Sir William Lyons, Sergio Pininfarina and Raymond Loewy. There’s not a bad line on this Buick. Nor is there a bad line on its companion in the snow.
Related Reading:
Curbside Classic: 1964 Buick Riviera – The Peak GM Experience
Curbside Classic: 1967 Cadillac Eldorado – On The Dark Side
Note: a rerun of an older post.
Black paint is the best choice on a 1967 Eldo; it conceals the wonky fit of the metal caps which would be replaced by turn signals in ’68.
Wonder why those beauties are out in the snow?
The bane of so many old cars. The owner will never sell but they don’t have and can’t afford proper storage.
They are cars, that what they are for, driving and parking when not being driven, Buick is the standout.
My fav “Riv”, iteration! Gold or silver for me.
Missed them (not sure how)earlier. Those lights bolted onto the front of the “Eldo”, gotta go!
“Eeek”!
Both looking fine many decades later .
-Nate
How is the 1970 Eldorado different from the 1967-1969?
It had a 500-cid V8 instead of the 472 used in 1968–1969, some exterior trim changes, different wheel covers, and “Eldorado 8.2 Litre” badges.
Good to see the Eldo has the distinctive bent front bumper from the bumper jack that I have seen on every Eldo of that series including both of mine.
1970 was the last year of production the first generation or series of front wheel drive Eldorado, not 1969. 1967 was the first model year of front-wheel-drive Eldorado production, but the first generation Eldorado went into production for the 1953 model year.
Aaron, thanks for that clarification.
The actual design for what was originally to be the LaSalle II is generally credited by historians to Ned Nickles altered from an original 4 dr hardtop design to general specs from Bill Mitchell who wanted a “cross between a Ferrari and a Rolls Royce:, with a softened “knife edge” yet lowered look. The final product is rightfully considered a design classic.
Thanks for the article.
I remember my first exposure to the new 67 Eldorado; triple black, night time, sitting under a parking lot light at the local library. To say I was blown away was an understatement! I had to have one. The ’68 had subtle changes which made it look even better, and my favorite.
Opportunities came and went over the decades but I never pulled the trigger. Young family with kids, yada, yada, yada. Most of you know the score.
Now without constraints, I may just pull the trigger next opportunity. That is, unless, the perfect ’63 or 64 Riviera shows up first. No better way to say you’ve arrived.
The featured Riviera had “BUICK” in block letters centered on the deck lid, which makes it a ’63 model. The ’64’s had “RIVIERA” in script on the right side of the deck lid. As far as I know that is the only exterior difference between the first two years. Both were very sharp and were parked at a car lot.