It all started with a headline I thought was spot on: “Yep, that’s a rare 1966 Buick Riviera.” I had spent considerable time poring over vintage advertisements and photographs, even consulting reader input, to pinpoint the year of the Buick Riviera I had recently written about. Confident in my research, I published the piece, only to soon discover I had made a mistake.
It wasn’t a 1966 Buick Riviera; it was a 1967 model.
The realization dawned on me after an, shall we say, passionate voicemail from a reader. He accused me of disrespecting the Riviera and, frankly, being unfit to write about cars, Buicks, or anything automotive. While the message was a bit fiery, it did prompt me to take a closer look. Regular readers know I’m no automotive expert. In fact, over the two decades of writing “My Favorite Ride,” I’ve often admitted to being more of a car enthusiast in spirit than in technical knowledge. But I appreciate the correction, and it’s all part of the learning journey.
Mistakes happen, and in the spirit of transparency, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to backtrack. Remember the sand rail I featured back in April? I confidently declared it was powered by a water-cooled engine from a 1972 Volkswagen. David DeVore, a knowledgeable owner of a 1974 VW Karmann Ghia, kindly set me straight, pointing out that 1972 VW engines were indeed air-cooled. And then there was the Chevrolet pickup I mistakenly called an S-10; it was actually a C-10, with the S-10 debuting much later in 1982. These corrections are valuable lessons, and the Buick Riviera incident was no different.
Back to the beautiful Buick Riviera. Further investigation revealed key distinctions between the 1966 and 1967 models. The 1966 Riviera boasted the famed Nailhead V8 engine, a true mark of its era. However, 1967 saw a powerful upgrade to a 430-cubic-inch big block eight-cylinder engine. While I hadn’t had the chance to peek under the hood, even if I had, discerning between the two engines would have been beyond my expertise. The 1967 model also carried a slightly heavier frame, weighing in at 4,420 pounds, a mere 14 pounds more than its predecessor – a detail I certainly didn’t measure. Subtle interior changes also existed, such as the repositioning of the door lock post. Moreover, the 1967 Riviera incorporated newly mandated safety features, elements not present in the ’66 version, and certainly not details I’d readily identify.
However, the most telling differences were cosmetic, right there in plain sight. The 1967 Buick Riviera introduced a horizontal chrome grille bar that elegantly spanned the flip-up headlight doors and parking lights – a distinct visual cue. Even more strikingly, the hood ornament’s “Riviera” lettering offered an instant giveaway. While the 1966 model displayed “Riviera” in printed letters, the 1967 proudly presented the name in a stylish cursive script. And there it was, in cursive, right on the hood of the car I had misidentified.
The owner of this stunning 1967 Buick Riviera is Carl Vandurmen of Martinsville. He contacted me after his friends alerted him to the newspaper photo, knowing I was on the hunt for the car’s owner. Thankfully, Carl wasn’t upset about my year miscalculation. “The ’66 and ’67 Rivieras are basically the same car,” this true Buick enthusiast reassured me, showcasing the forgiving nature of a classic car aficionado.
Carl’s journey to owning this Riviera is a testament to persistence and passion. For four years, he had admired this particular classic, consistently trying to convince the previous owner to sell. He knew the man had cherished the car for eleven years, and each inquiry was met with a polite but firm refusal. The emotional connection to a beloved car is strong, and parting ways is never easy.
Then, a few months ago, fate intervened. Carl spotted the Riviera parked at the owner’s workplace and decided to try his luck one more time. He stopped and jokingly asked, “Did you drive the car to work today to sell it to me?” The reply was initially the usual “No, and I probably won’t be selling it.” Undeterred, Carl made an offer anyway before leaving. To his surprise, a few days later, a text message arrived: the owner was ready to sell. Carl wasted no time, driving straight to Bedford and bringing his dream car home.
When Carl first acquired his Buick Riviera, it needed some love. The paint was faded, and the body bore the marks of time – dents, scratches, and rust. But Carl envisioned its potential. Since then, the Riviera has undergone extensive bodywork, received a fresh coat of paint, and has proudly graced the stages of seven or eight car shows. Its transformation is a testament to Carl’s dedication and the enduring appeal of the Buick Riviera.
I drove to Martinsville to see Carl and his beautifully restored 1967 Buick Riviera. I wanted to capture new photos, not just to correct my previous error, but to truly appreciate and showcase this classic American car in its full glory. It was a valuable lesson learned, and a reminder of the passionate community that surrounds these magnificent machines.
A Brief Pause for “My Favorite Ride”
I will be taking a week off, but “My Favorite Ride” will return soon. Keep those car stories coming! If you have a unique car or truck story to share, please reach out.
