balthazar

^ Good base question; I guess to be 'neat' & different ?? Puzzling that it seems to center around Tri-5 Chevys tho. I've never seen a '50s Ford or Plymouth shortened like this. EDIT :: Seek & ye shall find ~

I noted that too, but I believe Electras did use cut-pile.

Car is in really fantastic shape (other than underhood cosmetics), and the Buick people have no issue with 4-drs (esp flattops : 1800 hits in 4 days). So far, the price is in line with market value for an Electra in this shape. I wouldn't chase a 4-dr at anywhere near market price, enjoying the svelt beauty of a 2-dr hardtop as I do (or one day will), but this is still a towering Cheers.

'64-65 Baccaruda, red, Cragers, a bit worn but registered. '57 Chevy 4-dr wagon, teetering for balance on top of a 4x4 chassis.

>>"I've always hated this modification, looked like crap in the 70s - still does today."<< It works for me on the wagons, because the squareness is retained. The '57 is a fail because the flow of the roof is too truncated & forced. This is the issue with trying to get true fluidity & grace on modern designs- they are too homogenized and too short. You end up with a sonata.

This page has the numerous, very different sketches under the Avant concept at a good viewing size. Unfortunately, unless Buick builds a concept for the street, production-izing any of these will only result in dumbed down/bland/homogenous stuff in comparison. Think Volt concept vs. reality. In other words, I believe the best we can hope for from Buick in the short run (thru 2020) is the level of design/uniqueness we have in the Enclave. Not that that's bad, but...

Anything signed off on by E. T. Gregorie. Seriously, Ford cars (post-'80) seldom float my boat, tho I do like numerous Ford trucks (of course, those are still seen regularly). So the answer is probably 'nothing'.

Problem is, there is so very little unique modern design that making 'the next classic' is nigh unto impossible. The only things distinctive on the road today are in fact those that aren't afraid to utilize classic, dynamic proportion & line. Those that do are Camaro, Challenger & Mustang.

^ no love here ??

I would have to believe he set the bar unsurpassably high for a car that has been reproduced more often than any other; there have been dozens & dozens & dozens of Cobra replica companies. A brutal, elemental, eternal classic. Godspeed, CS.

^ I agree totally that the Riviera name is one of the image highlights from Buick's history. Except for the corporate-forced '86 gen, there wasn't a real turkey in the paddock. However, I haven't seen more than 3 '79-85 E-bodies in 1 year in over a decade- I believe they have passed from general consciousness. Maybe in other areas of the country it's a different story. Not that they should be forgotten- they were excellent designs (I love the Eldos & the Rivs), just my observation. I know I move in vintage circles, but I've seen references to the '63-65s outside of car circles. Both are excellent designs, but only one says 'classic' IMO. I would vote a toss up WRT the '63-65 or the '79-85 AFA which comes to mind more often for the general schmo. A poll (not here of course) would be interesting...

sales of that were so pathetic, no one is asking.

So dark, it looks more like a 'cave find'.

Didn't see the piece, but I tend to enter the car arena from the 'end of life' side of the equation. It's a mindset that is ingrained in me (preserve the dying). Nice to see a BMW beater in the clinch, tho - thanks C&D!

I couldn't find a pic of the shorty '56 custom I see @ Lead East frequently.

hmmm:

If it's RWD, won't the whiners just moan 'It should've been a Cadillac'?

My buddy bought a rock solid '68 Fairlane 500 fastback project, previous owner was working on eradicating the exterior trim to make it out like a Cobra Jet. Loved the body shape, interior isn't bad for this period Ford, but the nose is so bland. Could look like one of these:

Looked over a sweetiepie '48 Stude Champion coupe. Off the road since 1968, I would love to refab the mechanicals and drive it just as it looked.

Mygod- the motor is as long as only 2 of it's horns.

< -- Ed Gein is an icon to some, movies have been shot based on him & about him, stories & books have been written, numerous songs have been sung. No matter if you approve of it or not he has created a lasting image in American history. Sigh. Pop culture is not something you craft an upscale image around. A Cadillac dealer should not be an arcade, a parts warehouse or a greasy spoon. Who would've thought this was such an obscure concept. hyper's 'new' Cadillac dealership decor, 'bringing in the youth' : Free hot dogs & balloons in the back, kids!

^ I've known about Cadillac Ranch for decades, a LOT of people deride/denounce it. I suppose those that find bashing a old car with a sledgehammer would find it 'neat'.

You seem to misunderstand the mission here. The fiberglas replicas are cheap, inaccurate & low-end, not upscale. They have all the class of kiddie rides outside Wal-Mart. Yes, many have taken the gas axe to real actual cars- that's how the whole couch thing started in the late '80s. I've seen photo-documentation of ripping a car & creating an empty shell to put up on a wall; hollowed out they're not heavy. Either way, either implying or actually cutting up your own product is not the means to upgrade your image/showroom. This is not a personal expression 'man cave', it's supposed to be an upscale, enticing, classy showroom. Cadillac Ranch reminds me of the clueless Cadillac dealer that smashed up a '53 for a publicity stunt. That stupid stunt was well hated & panned worldwide. Old think & the wrong direction.

I had tremendous, glorious (and all too brief- 10 mins) enjoyment piloting this baby around this morning. Felt like a Saudi prince (whatever that feels like ) : Back seat was cavernous, as were the rear door openings. Note the lit retractable writing tables & carpeted foot rests. That's a giant slab of solid American Walnut on the doors. Upholstery was some amazingly thick material, still smooth & soft in an obviously unrestored car. THIS is what mercedees benchmarked when they took 3 decades to bring the s-class up to American luxury standards. I am going to have ask his bottom price, initially he said he was going to ask $5500.

That's pure idiocy. You don't desecrate past iconic product by taking a chainsaw & making a wallhanging out of it. If you mock yourself, why shouldn't everyone else?? What would be more sensible & cater to the lux crowd AND the marque's heritage could be, say, large reproductions of factory art, AKA: