Hooniverse Weekend Edition – Which Distinctive Personal Luxury Coupe Would You Want?
The Personal Luxury Car was born in 1958 with the introduction of the larger Ford Thunderbird. It was distinctive, sat lower than any other domestic produced coupe at that time, and it actually sold better (much better I might add) that the distinctive two-seat T-Bird the year before. And this was in a down year for the industry as a whole. It took a little longer for the other competitors to answer the call of the Personal Luxury Coupe but Buick was the first to answer with the breathtaking 1963 Buick Riviera. Three years later, Oldsmobile introduced their radically new Toronado with a twist: Front Wheel Drive. And of course Cadillac had to have their own Personal Car in 1967, and the trend continued through the 70s. So let’s take a look at four Distinctive Personal Luxury Coupes of the 60s and see if they’re distinctive enough for you to enjoy.
Let’s start with a Buick Riviera from 1963. This was the legendary follow-up to the successful Ford Thunderbird, and according to most of the Auto Journalists, this was a design that was earmarked for Cadillac at the time. When Cadillac refused it, Buick stepped in to claim the prize. According to the dealer:
1963 Buick Rivera 2 Dr. Hardtop, finished in Bronze Mist Poly, a factory color which was freshened a few years back. This is the 1st year made. Equipped with the 401- C.I. V-8, Automatic 2spd. Dyna flow transmission, factory radio, a/c, tilt, power steering, power brakes, all new factory correct dual exhaust…..very solid frame, undercarriage.
The interior boasts rear door release handles that the dealer states was a rare option, but I’m sure they were standard. Mileage shows 10,484, which might be really 110,484. This is a beautiful example of a first year Riviera, ans is relatively well equipped with the exception of the Buick Road Wheels. Asking price for this very nice Buick is $13,800, which is somewhat affordable for the condition of the car. See the listing here, and maybe you could spend time on the Riviera, this one.
With the success of the Riviera, Oldsmobile wanted to get into the Personal Luxury Coupe game, only this time with a twist. The 1966 Toronado was Americas only Front-Wheel Drive car at the time of introduction, and it was a game changer. By 1968, the radical Toronado styling had been toned down to acceptable levels (i.e. derivative) with the hidden headlamps moved within the grill, and the option of having a vinyl covered roof. But the car was still fairly distinctive, with a true fastback roof, and an unconventional instrument panel. According the the dealer:
1968 Oldsmobile Toronado 68,068 original miles, “SAME OWNER” since 1969. In Original Jade Gold Poly finish with excellent charcoal deluxe fabric interior, 455 C.I. V-8 / 375 h.p – 3 spd. automatic trans. With power windows, locks, power antenna, tilt, cruise, rear blower defroster, “ICE COLD” factory a/c, new redwall tires, new power window motors, many new parts and servicing. Car includes a “Wonderbar” am/fm stereo, and excellent interior. All paperwork, documents, receipts including original Nebraska title. A solid and very collectible time capsule. Just serviced and gone through it runs and drives super. An all original #’s matching car.
With 68,000 miles and most of the major components serviced, this should be a car that you could live with for quite a while without having to break the bank to keep running. The asking price is a reasonable $14,975. See the dealer listing here, and tell me if this FWD Coupe is the Luxury Coupe of your dreams.
With the major engineering completed by Oldsmobile on the Toronado, Cadillac saw an opportunity to offer a distinctive Personal Luxury Car without a lot of investment. So in 1967, the FWD Cadillac Eldorado Coupe was introduced to great fanfare, and was the first “Personal” Cadillac ever offered by the division. This 1969 model received a few updates from the original including the elimination of the hidden headlamps, and a more conservative set of wheel trims, but is essentially the same as when introduced. According to the dealer:
1969 Cadillac Eldorado 2 Dr. in Gorgeous new factory specified “Cotillion White” with a Crimson red leather bucket seat interior, 83,605 actual miles, full power options, newer tires, cold a/c, all operational. An original car recently serviced and completely gone through. This is a solid car, runs and drives excellent. Truly a survivor and fine example of the breed.
The engine under the massive hood of this Cadillac is a 472 CID V8 rated at 375HP. The only transmission offered was the three speed Automatic. Mileage shows 83,605 Miles, and the asking price for this nicely finished Eldorado is $15,975. So is this the Personal Luxury Car of your dreams? See the listing here.
The Ford Thunderbird was the originator of this breed of Automobile, and went through 4 generations before most of the competitors caught up. The 1958-60 Thunderbirds are called the “Square Birds” to the bird afficinatos, while the 1961-63 Thunderbirds were called “Bullet Birds” because of their styling, 1964-66 Thunderbirds were called “Flair Birds”, and the 1967-71 generation were called the “Glamor Birds”. This is the last year “Glamor Bird”, before the Thunderbird grew into the “Big Bird” for 1972, and it is a very nice example, actually carrying off the Glamour name quite well. According to the dealer:
1971 Ford Thunder Bird 2 Dr. Hard Top. This T-BIRD is a true, original, 2 owner time piece, with only 6,900 documented original miles. It’s like new, NO, it is new top to bottom. Powered by a 429 C.I “Thunder Jet” 4V (#’s matching) V-8 engine/ with automatic transmission. The miles are verified by a State issued odometer statement dated April 2010. “Wimbledon White” with black, like new deluxe fabric / leather interior. Equipped with power windows, locks, power seat, factory A/C, am/fm stereo and much more. This car also includes: owners manual, original factory build sheet, and original parts catalog too! Always garaged when not driven. ONLY a fair weather driven car. Runs, drives and looks like a new car. See all of the nice pictures of a car that has cheated time. Clean title. Most likely the nicest, lowest mileage 1971 T-Bird in the world.
Asking price for this Thunderbird is $21,800, which is reasonable for a car with less than 10,000 miles. So, what do you think of this White Bird? See the dealer listing to see if this isn’t the best 1971 Bird on the planet.
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It has to be the Buick because it's the only one that's the right year. The Toronado has that kind of unattractive facelift front, the Eldorado looks best with hidden headlights, and the beak on the bird is very silly. I mean, I wouldn't refuse any Riviera, but it is the only one here that didn't suffer an unfortunate facelift.
Some nice choices, but the first-year Riv in magnificent condition has to take the honors. From there, I'd go to the Toronado, then the Eldo, and way at the back, the T-bird, even if it does have a nice dash.
It would be the Thunderbird because FordFan.
I had to vote all of the above. I love these big cars, and if I had the money to buy one right now I would be hard pressed to chose just one. Sleepless nights would undoubtedly ensue.
That's the only correct answer. There's something to love about all of these cars.
Tough choice, here, because I'd gladly own any of these cars. Once again, I'll go with the one that we had as a kid, the Toronado. We had a '69, and that was one awesome car. Second would be the Eldo, because I really like the Cadillac 472. The Riviera and the T Bird are a tie. No way could I choose between them, they're both great cars. Hell, as long as I'm spending imaginary money, I'll take all four.
Toronado for me (even more so if it had been a '66). If I had been a ten year old in the late sixties and was trying to influence my Dad as he chose a new car, the Toronado would be the one I'd want him to buy. The others are the ones he would buy.
For me it's a tossup between the Riv and the Eldo. I think the outside of the Buick is more visually appealing, but I favor the red gut of the Caddy. The other ads all have descriptions that say the a/c is "cold" or "working", but the Riviera's ad just says it is factory.
All in all, I think I like the Pimp Daddy Caddy better, but not two grand better. I'll stick with the Buick.
I have to go for the Riviera. As has already been mentioned, the other three coupes are being represented by the wrong year…
The '68 Toronado had a slightly clumsy facelift. Ugly vinyl roof on this one.
The '71 T-bird has the awkward oversized beak. The blind Landau treatment doesn't work well on this style.
The '69 Eldorado lost its hidden headlights. Ugly vinyl roof on this one.
Even the Riv isn't exactly my choice. I prefer the cleaner '65 with hidden headlights and a 3-speed auto instead of the 2-speed Dynaslush.
This is a tough one. Based on looks, it would be the Toronado. But FWD, no way for a 60's American. And the interior is terrible. The Riviera is sending (not-so-)subliminal messages to me, saying "Drive me home". Its interior is also the one I'd probably find the most appealing. If only the radio could play Neil Young anytime.
But I know how it goes, no matter what I think I'm doing: Once again I'll fall into a white car with an ad featuring the always so enticing expressions like "Always garaged when not driven. ONLY a fair weather driven car. Runs, drives and looks like a new car." Yes I see, the old lady has only been driving it on Sundays. Honestly. So, it's the T-bird. At least I'll get those splendid courtesy lights.
Have you ever driven an early Toronado? I have. They actually drive and handle very well for such a big and powerful FWD car. There is virtually no torque steer but there is tons of grip. This Toro could probably easily outhandle the other three cars and it would also be the fastest too with that 400-hp 455 engine. The T-bird is probably the sloppiest-driving car of the four.
You've got that right. I can personally attest to the fact that a "stolen" Toronado (me stealing the keys while the 'rents were not home) can burn rubber and go 100 in a big parking lot, and slow down enough to where I didn't die. Never, ever leave the keys to a '69 Toronado where a 14 year old can find them, trust me on this.
You must be right about the performance (and no, I've never driven one). It's just that FWD does not fit the image. On the other hand, the FWD would make it even more interesting as it's not just another 60's car from the US.
I'm not sure what you mean about "image" but the Toronado and FWD are inseparably linked in peoples' minds. Oldsmobile was vying to be GM's "high-tech" division in the 1960s so they got FWD when the GM E-body coupes were redone for 1966. The GM publicity machine made much of the FWD, too. By the way, did you know that the featured Eldorado is also FWD?
I don't really want any of them, but if I had to pick one, it'd be the Riv, hands down.
While I do love each and every one of these in its own special way, there's really only one choice for me:
<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5019/5560055551_7778a86db9_z.jpg" width="489" height="640" alt="1974 AMC Matador X (Canada)">
The Riv by a country mile, even though the color combo sucks. The Toro with its ham-fisted '68 facelift would be my second choice.
However, all but the T-Bird seem like great bargains.
Buick. not even a question about it. It's supposed to be a personal luxury car, right? And since I'm personally enjoying the luxuries, I'd like the interior to be nice. Neither the Toro or the Eldosaurus look particularly inviting, and while the Ford is better, it doesn't even come close to the whole package that the Buick represents.
If I could afford it, all of them. If just one, though, the Eldorado.
I had a '73 Coupe deVille with the 472. Just look at how not crammed in there an engine this size looks in the engine bay!
However, my ultimate 60's two-door is the same here as the one I posted on the full-sized 'coupe' page.
1966 Imperial LeBaron, preferably a convertible…with a disc brake conversion.
<img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/hoopd87/cbce343e.jpg" width = 500 >
And you thought I was dead.
I'm not at all surprised that the Riviera made the top of the list. The '63-'65 Riviera is regarded by many as one of the most beautifully-styled GM cars of all time – and I agree. If the '71 T-Bird had been 4-door landau verion, my choice would have been a bit harder, as I have soft sport for them, having owned a '69. The '63-'65 (and to a lesser extent '66-'68) Riviera will end up being a very desireable classic car in the near future. Bet money on it.