balthazar

GM as a whole left off the radical concept thing after the '61 Motorama (and there weren't many there, either). There were plenty of prototypes & internal concepts, and some shown mild trim/equipment cars, but they'll not pop to mind when thinking '60s/70s Buick concepts. The LaSalle/Riv above was not publically shown. The '63 Wildcat 445 car was tho: GM also began issuing 'GM' branded concepts in the '60s, for EX: '64 GM Runabout '64 GM -X Stiletto '69 GM XP 511 Commuter Car

I believe the strut/scissor hinge set-up doesn't raise the decklid as far as gooseneck hinges. They also narrow the opening considerably, as all that has to mount somewhere. -- -- -- -- -- This again seems to be a instance where an automotive execution has gotten much WORSE than it was already excellently engineered as:

Since I have again (and not without precedent) veered off on a historical tangent, here's the rest of the Riv ancestors: XP-715: Earlier proposal: Can't find an online pic of the clay that Cadillac turned down, also badged 'LaSalle'.

As originally released, the Silver Arrow I wore big blackwalls, knock-off wires and the Riviera eggcrate grille. -- -- -- -- -- At some point it gained retro concentric-ribbed hubcaps, wide whites and the thermostatically-operated grille 'doors' (something yet again that was before it's time). It was redone after '72, because I've seen the original-spec SA I photographed alongside the '72 SA III & Mitchell. -- -- -- -- -- Color is fine, and Mitchell was not known for offbeat concept colors.

Such a nice classy car. Good write-up. Those truck goosenecks are something; hard to believe there's not a better solution. If decks weren't so high, resulting is such tall RR fascias, the lids wouldn't have to open so incredibly far. I wonder if a 'flying strut' design would work: where the trunklid is connected to 2 arms alongside the RR window, and it actually hinged at or near the top of the RR glass. Like a hatchback but the RR glass stays put. That would eliminate the in-trunk hinges/ goosenecks/ scissors entirely.

IMO, the Buick absolutely has the capability to pull people out of an accord. Better, more harmonious & upscale design in the Buick.

Thanks 'bo. It certainly would be cool to see the orig join dates now...

I think last time this topic came up, I found I was here since Jun '02. Just now poking around on the archives, all I could find was me with 61 posts on 11-27-02, and I know I didn't post much early on. Anyone care to look me up, I'll write it down this time...

Silver Arrow II was a forgotten dud, a bare minimal trim car. I and III were tastefully modified production cars, primarily featuring a chopped top, so unfortunately -tho well-recieved then & now- neither was 'stylistically ground breaking'... as the designs were already released.

honda

Nothing earth-shattering. I see it's going to get that same lil useless triangle window the Verano has. Windshield nearly reaches the center of the front tire. The Podification of the automobile continues....

toyoyo is far from a 'safe' choice in more ways than one. What's more pertinent here is how many are going to shuffle away from the imports to this import.

room = bad I believe the comparison is how small the dash is. Either way- it's useless space- enlarging it to the max adds nothing to the interior, it's a byproduct of aerodynamic requirements. I am also thinking that these 'ventless vents' are another way to add roof crush reinforcement- another aspect of design now dictated by law.

^ It's almost like automakers are building cars around a interior volume number, or perception at least. What a 2-ft deep dash is supposed to offer the occupants, I don't know.

Looks sharp (tho I can't personally warm to the styling). Interesting that all this recent snow didn't persuade you to go for AWD, but it's really not (normally) necc in Jersey, as you undoubtedly kno. I'm sure it will serve you very well; looking forward to some in-progress reports (and a few more pics) on it.

^ Noted. Of course, with the doors closed, it's not a BD either way. Unfortunately, the increasingly steep angles on windshields is forcing them forward, and aerodynamic benchmarks are resulting in compromises like these. They really do zero towards visibility, unless looking at curbing is your hobby. Expect more of this down the road.

^ You forgot the original, full-size '53-54.

I don't find the 200C pics to be "fantastic". The 1st one is very good, the 2nd one it just gets lost in the monochrome, the 3rd is only 'fine' and the last one looks like a bad 'Shop (which it is). In general; I'd rather look at a dynamic, well designed car with a plain background than a 'jazzy' background diverting attention from a mediocre design.

^ good stuff, WMJ! Part of the problem is the 24-hr news cycle and the technology-laced reduction of the Attention Span, which is why labels resonate so well with most; they can catch a label and dismiss an entire POV and go back to streaming S&TC and stop critical thinking. I have tried to have conversations with others (here & elsewhere), but as soon as the labels are thrown down, they stop listening/thinking. I was really liking the idea put forth to mix up the seating in Congress and toss all that 'across the aisle' BS out the window. Minor thing, but it can't hurt. To hell with Congressional tradition. Clique politics doesn't work.

This new Chrysler face is not jelling with me....

That pic of the citroen alone isn't showing me anything of any appeal. Camino- at issue for me is the ease of service for modern stuff- not user friendly (or cheap). Getting involved with the planned obsolescence & the electronics of the '80s and later is not an aspirational aspect.

^ How did Metallica slip in there ?? One project that has never lost it's interest for me is genealogy. Tho 'off & on again' due to available leads, I have plugged away at it for about 15 years now. Just last night I was plugging names into findagrave.com- found info on a half dozen or so. Also made a few contacts via facebook. Right now it's 54 pages long in a flow-chart style. Never counted the whole tally, but the largest branch runs 22 pages and has 427 names in it.

I hated the Riv concept from a few years ago. Proportions were excellent, detailing was horrible. >>"Buick to move ahead it needs to set a future path just as the 63 did in it's own time. There are times to remember and a time to move ahead. Now is the time to move ahead. "<< Now is NOT the time to blend in with the generic modern. There is no 'forward' in design- you're already looking at it. It is time for excellent, timeless, expressive design, and that's simply not found among the me-too, LED-strip, homogenized approach of The Current. Heritage is about the only bastion left for inspiration; legislation has crushed most of the others.

If I could lay my hands on a disposable chunk of change, I'd rather get a quick resto-mod on a mid-'60s full-size car: in-dash A/C, overdrive trans, original motor, upgraded drums, modern tunes, done. Stock body, radials, minor tweaks toward efficiency, but not much. V-8, RWD, TONS of room, both passenger & cargo- can't beat it with a modern car. Cheaper than new, less to break, cheaper to keep, difference pays for fuel for a decade or more. Challenger is a hot ride (still haven't sat in one or seen one up close), but being I'm not single, it's not a consideration (that, and price).

Thanks to all. Nope- NOT the oldest regular on here! {whew!} As to a number; I'll say I am Gen X and leave it lie. It's not that I have an issue with the number itself, but I never wanted to have my opinion here dismissed due to that number- that's usually argumentative misdirection. My automotive area of interest predates my expected range of experience. Thank God. Example: the 20 vehicles I've owned to date have an average model year of 1965, and that is older than my birth year. That, and perhaps my avatar, I think make me out to be older than I am (493??) Camino- I didn't peek thru the window at the B-59 today, tho I was out in the shop Monday- separating some Mitsu cylinder heads for scrap. I did look at her then, but didn't touch.