Poll: Which Buick? (7/18/2026)

Another challenge, John. Thanks.

I love the 2nd generation Riviera. But the design was getting long in the tooth. The '71 design was polarizing, as all great designs are. I loved it the minute I saw one for the first time. This was Mitchell at his best, challenging the status quo, forging his own path, and giving us a sweeping, unified design from the front bumpers to the rear. I just think it is gorgeous. 

Beautiful cars ! Buicks AND Rivieras. An unbeatable combination.

Dear John,

I admire your “intestinal fortitude” (whatever that means, I heard or read it somewhere) but I can not, and will not, choose between these two styling “catastrophies”…Sorry, I only like ‘63-69 Rivieras. 🙌 👍 

steve

The 2nd generation Riviera came in with a bang and went out with a whimper.  What a letdown.  My vote goes to the '71 for the reasons JK mentioned.

I like the front and roofline of the 70.

As stated above 63-69 are the most likable riviera designs.  The backend design of the 71 doesn’t impress me and the 70 has an interesting smooth design it looks quite long. I don’t like the grill on the 70 at all.

The grille on the 70 is too Oldsmobile. I also dislike the skirts and the chrome 'check mark' on the side. The 71 is cleaner and more gorgeous. (Get rid of that vinyl roof though.)  71.

1971. I disliked it new, love it now. The 1970 messed up the purity of the 1966/67. JK said it well.

Yep, I agree with JK also. I never warmed up to the '70 design.😊

While I preferred the earlier versions, I also liked the 1971 of this pairing most.

Beautiful cars that I have no interest in.

The '70 is a badly bloated and heavy-handed parody of the original design.

A lot of people dislike the "boat tail" on the '71 but I think it is perhaps the prettiest and most imaginative part of the re-style. The rest of the bodywork is a little too "jerky" and angular for my taste, and I find the front end is a curiously old-fashioned vertical slab compared with the terrific "jet intake" grille of the original second-generation Rivieras.

So you'll forgive me if I just ignore these two and happily retreat back to 1966.

Aaaahhh! Lovely!

Yes, 1966 for me too!

66 & 67 for me too. They are still beautifully styled and will never look old to me. 
steve