1984 Buick Skylark

1978 Buick Riviera

What a difference only 3 years make, going from this RWD sort-of-full-sized car to a smaller FWD model.

One might mistake this for a more ordinary Buick until you notice the way the grille curves at the bottom, communicating luxury and uniqueness. Then you notice the curve of the belt-line just behind the door and over the wheel arch, sloping to the rear end. Love those "retro" wheels (which are probably stock) and the oversized rear tires.

We have seen that blue building in the background more than once.

1981 Buick Riviera

My thanks to the owner, who generously allowed me access to the interior and told me about the car, which is brand new to him. He said that those great white walls are original equipment, and I believe him, considering the lack of tread in the second last shot. The odometer shows 46,000 km (28,600 mi), and this is the first time around. What a great find!

My favourite element here is the hubcaps -- they add a sense of old school luxury and prestige. Most Rivs have wire wheel hubcaps, which look fake. Next is the colour -- which is rich and luxurious -- and the shape. That swept back front end and even more steeply raked windshield, followed by the formal roof. Also love the walnut veneer, and the mechanical digital clock. Of course this is not a practical, reasonable car, so the whole form factor is absurd, repeating the excesses of previous decades in a new design. It is simultaneously appealing and appalling, like so many luxury cars, and emblematic of GM's former resistance to change.

By the way, This American Life has an excellent podcast on NUMMI, GM's first effort to change it's philosophy.

1978 Buick Skylark

1985 Buick LeSabre Limited Collectors Edition

Yes, GM actually named a car "Collectors Edition", apparently because this was last year of the rear wheel drive version. It just adds to the the absurd charm of this anachronism on wheels. The car looked old school when it was new.

Lens distortion and fog c/o my cell phone.

1976 Buick Skyhawk

I always liked the Chevy Monza/Pontiac Sunbird/Buick Skyhawk/Oldsmobile Starfire of this era, though I think the execution is somehow more awkward/ugly in the Skyhawk. Which makes it all the more interesting. Why is it less satisfying? It is something about the headlights, and the way they placed the turn indicators directly beneath. Sort of like buck teeth. Or maybe it's the grille. It looks cheap, ugly. A Buick should have something more elegant.

That broad aluminum B-pillar is pretty good though. And the overall outline and fastback is great, belying it's economy car nature. No one would mistake this car for a Vega, though that is basically what it is. With a V6 it was probably pretty quick, and undoubtedly more reliable.