Now, I've seen this car in several movies, but I always seem to forget what it's called. Maybe just as well, as I want to rip my eyeballs out every time I see this car. One movie I remember it from is "Go!", in the Vegas scene.. It's some american make from the 70's, and the rear is really pointy and makes me wanna puke.. What is this piece of garbage?! No offence, but actually I think most American cars from late seventies and the eighties is just crap.. What happend to the old Corvettes and Mustangs?

errrrrrr.................Pics would be useful :o

Are you talking about the Buick Riviera? I think this is a 1971.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/823565riviera.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/217501riviera2.jpg

From that description, I would have guess the boat-tailed Riviera as well; and I don't think it's too bad-looking compared to most early-1970's domestics.

My wife disagrees, and think they're in the same class as the AMC Matador coupes with the oil-drum sections over the headlights.

This is it, yes.. But those I've seen look much worse than this, cos' this doesn't actually look all that bad. I've only seen rusty Riviera's, but however I do have to admit I dissaproove of the ugly rear.. Why, why, why?!?

No offence, but actually I think most American cars from late seventies and the eighties is just crap..

No offense taken. As a hard-core American guy, it pains me to say that a lot of the cars America built between roughly 1975 and 1992 were nothing but crap. I think a lot of it had to do with the OPEC embargo in 1974, as well as the influx of European and Japanese cars into the American market. The OPEC embargo impacted American automakers because American cars typically had poor gas mileage, and because of this, they all had to release a new lineup of cars, engines, etc. in a hurry, and as a result, the quality control suffered. The loss of quality control then steered more people to European and Japanese brands, and many of the higher-ups in the American auto industry went into denial because the market share they had for 50+ years was being whittled away at an unprecedented rate. But in the past ten years, I think American automakers have realized that they have to compete on a global scale now, as opposed to just between each other, and so while there is still somewhat of a quality gap between American brands and other brands, the gap is nowhere near as large as it was ten years ago, and I'm confident that it's still closing.

The 74' mustang may be a very good proof that OPEC and the oil-crisis had a lot to do with the changes in the car industry. The V8 was replaced by a 4 sylinder which was pretty soggy (if I have been informed right). And the styling was awfully lame compared to the beautiful 63 and so.. LIke the new Mustang Concept, though, and the Ford GT40.. Hope America continues this trend ;)

IMO- I love Rivis from that era, boattail and all.
:cool:

E

Originally posted by DBR96


a lot of the cars America built between roughly 1975 and 1992 were nothing but crap.

Do you like a 77-78 Trans Am? Like the one in ''Smokey and the Bandit''? IMO they are the best looking T/A's ever. Next in line is an 2002 WS6 T/A with the Ram Air, has to be a Ram Air cuz the others look gay.

And why does everyone think the Mustang II's are so crappy? Yes the 4 cylinders and the V6's are, but the Cobra II and King Cobra still had the 5.0L. Even now there is WAY more newer mustangs out there with V6's, what do you got to say about that?

Well it's more than just the engines, the II was hideous! - ugh.

You really think this car is ugly? You must be thinking of th Ghia's and not the Cobra fastbacks.

There is a big difference between the Ghia's and the cobra's, see:
Granny's car-

Love those boattail rivs! THey make ecellent lowriders. The styling was taken from older cars like teh Auburn Boattail Speedster of the thirties, and custom bodies by European styling houses like Figoni et Falaschi of the '30s and '40s, and cars like the Cadillac Sedanette of the '50s, and cars like the '63-67 Corvette. Classic design. Too bad you're too young to appreciate it.

ABout the Mustang II and teh oil crisis, think about this: The oil crisis coincided with the introduction of the Mustang II in '74. But the Mustang II design work started in '69 and '70. WHich means that at the same time the dealers were selling new Mustangs like the BOSS 302 and BOSS429 monsters, the factory was already designing a small 4 cyl replacement car around the Pinto architecture (which was in design stages in '67!!!!). The Mustang II was NOT in response to the energy crisis, as it was already well into it's design cycle long before the energy crisis hit.

The Mustang II has a great suspension (at least in front, where the dual A arms have excellent geometry) and is relatively light weight (and easily made lighter). A 302 or 351W can make them fly, and a little work makes them handle good, too.

http://www.mustangii.net/images/ontheroad/cobraii_from_calendar.jpg

BTW, I'd take a Ghia, outfit it with a late V8 and some suspension work and turn it into a convertible, like this (there are a lot of subtle body changes here, see if you can spot them all):

http://speed.supercars.net/boardpics/2003-3-28/1019944-Chris%20Vc.jpg

Originally posted by DBR96


No offense taken. As a hard-core American guy, it pains me to say that a lot of the cars America built between roughly 1975 and 1992 were nothing but crap. I think a lot of it had to do with the OPEC embargo in 1974, as well as the influx of European and Japanese cars into the American market. The OPEC embargo impacted American automakers because American cars typically had poor gas mileage, and because of this, they all had to release a new lineup of cars, engines, etc. in a hurry, and as a result, the quality control suffered. The loss of quality control then steered more people to European and Japanese brands, and many of the higher-ups in the American auto industry went into denial because the market share they had for 50+ years was being whittled away at an unprecedented rate. But in the past ten years, I think American automakers have realized that they have to compete on a global scale now, as opposed to just between each other, and so while there is still somewhat of a quality gap between American brands and other brands, the gap is nowhere near as large as it was ten years ago, and I'm confident that it's still closing.

:iagree: the 93 camaro changed that.