The Buick Centurion in today's Autoextremist column

[Centurion]

I'm a faithful reader of Peter DeLorenzo's weekly Autoextremist column, finding Peter to be one of the best analysts of the automobile industry in the USA. You can find his blog at www.autoextremist.com . To add a little context to Peter, his father worked in Public Relations for Buick Motor Division and, subsequently, for General Motors corporate, and was among the very closest personal friends of the great Harlow Curtice.

I usually read his weekly "Rant" and "On The Table". This week, our Buick Centurions received mention in the "On the Table" portion of Peter's site. If you scroll down, you'll see that Peter featured some of the work of Casey Shain, who has furnished conceptual drawings of a new Buick Riviera. You might particularly enjoy Casey Shain's comments about the Centurions:

Publisher's Note: Our friend Casey Shain's (aka "artandcolour") latest conceptual digital illustration is this Riviera - as a 5-Door Hatchback - ala the BMW 5-GT. The difference being, of course, that it actually looks presentable. As he says, "I didn't go for the obvious sweepspear side swage (the ventiports were obvious enough, lol), I tried to make the sides more 'tubular' like the '71-'72 full-sized Buicks created during Bill Mitchell's great reign. I think cars like the Centurion coupe of those years were the last beautiful full-sized Buicks." Thanks to Casey for sharing his always compelling work with us. - PMD

[Smartin]

Very cool, thanks for sharing, Brian!

[Centurion717273]

I was fortunate enough to hear him speak at a banquet a couple years ago after the Detroit Auto Show, fascinating stories of his youth, and a great insight into today's automotive industry

[73 Centurion]

It's an amazingly realistic image he's created for the Riviera. I like the car it's an elegant continuation of the SUV's melting into Sedans trend. But I don't think it's a Riviera. A 5 door Riviera is just a bad idea. The Riviera has always been a "halo" mark for the brand. The top of it's line with gobs of beauty, performance and luxury. Practicality is not part of it's image. I'm sure others would disagree but to me the Riviera was always a "Mans car". Driving the Riviera meant you could afford to let the other car be practical. The Riviera was an indulgance, a luxury and indicated an owner with taste, refinement and an appreciation for a car with enough wheaties to spank the unwary.

In my opinion the best Riviera's stood out in a crowd and were immediately identifiable. Without the venti-ports this car could wear any badge and in traffic it wouldn't get a second glance.

This car could be a good Buick, but not a Riviera.

John

[Centurion717273]

I think the "man" car that the Riviera was, turned into a chick car - I would venture a guess that the Riv's from the mid 70's on and especially the last few generation where primarily bought by woman or as the wife's car.

[73 Centurion]

I hadn't thought about the later iterations, but I bet your right.