The Buick Riviera would push the company beyond its lackluster post-war image.A new book by author Norm Mort takes us through the history of this timeless car.Our Book Garage series showcases what every enthusiast should add to their library.

authorNorm MortPublisher  Veloce Publishing ISBN 978-1787113565 Where to pre-order:Amazon

A small, jewel-like book arrived on my doorstep all the way from far-off England. Even though it’s about the size of large ashtray, it contains just as much info as if it were a full-size book. The surprise here is that, coming from Jolly Olde England, it is not about pre-war MGs or how Connolly prepares its hides for seat cushions. No, this is a book about one of the most American cars ever made: The Buick Riviera.
American Audience

American, as a culture, doesn’t really understand sports cars the way the rest of the world does. The number of times I’ve heard some guy in a gimme hat and a Ford t-shirt ask, “Wh-where’s th’back seat"” while staring at a real sports car are beyond counting at this point.

To Americans, the Buick Riviera is a sports car. Rivieras got style, they got power, they got two doors (sporty!), they got huge trunks, and they got back seats. They also had big, stonkin’ V8s.

If you were a young guy on the way up the corporate ladder in, say, 1968, the Riviera was the car for you. Cadillacs" Those are for old people. Co...