CC Outtake: 1966 Buick Riviera–One Designer’s Idea of What Could Have Been…and Was

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My dad and I recently took a Saturday jaunt to the Scarab Club in Detroit to peruse their “American Dreaming: Car Style Detroit” exhibit of original stylists’ drawings from the “Big Three” and major independents.  As a follow up to Don’s Riviera post, please enjoy this Paul Deesen drawing from November of 1964 that offers a “not as far off as one might think” interpretation of the ’66 Riviera (which of course, is almost identical to the ’67).

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There are some definite similarities between Mr. Deesen’s drawing and the eventual production model (not to mention the striking resemblance to the ’68 model’s grille).  The ’68 may have been a greater styling success if Buick would have adopted Deesen’s front end design a little more closely, but either way, no sixties Riviera really needs any apologies for its design.  Enjoy!