Buick Riviera XP 715 Concept, 1960. A fibreglass... https://carsthatnevermadeitetc.tumblr.com › post › buic... Nov 14, 2018 — One of 2 prototypes built has become the most valuable cars ever to be sold at auction when it achieved €135 million ($143 million) at a special ... Missing: xf | Must include: xf
GM Photo Store labels this as XP-715 from 1960. Here's another pic (seemingly repainted) - taken in Feb of '60.
What's puzzled me is the apparently dual designs under the same XP program code, with both being 'finished' fiberglass models. This is also XP-715, what was initially labeled as a LaSalle but (obviously) became the Riviera: Note the lower right photo- a full-interior fiberglass study done by Aug of '60:
Obviously the O/P XP-715 got shelved. But it's interesting - and unusual - to see the >'63 Riviera< design go into production relatively unchanged from initial sketch (except for lights & bumpers).
Correct on the Cadillac aspect. It was pitched to a few other Divisions, perhaps B-O-P, but Buick was the only one who committed to retaining the design without change.
It would have been interesting IF Pontiac had actually gotten it. 8 lug wheels, 4spd, Gran Prix type dash, etc. There was a pic of one posted on the ROA website a short while ago. To me it looked SHARP!!! Tom T.
Canadian version of what? It's someone's custom interpretation of a 'Pontiac Riviera', and very well done. Those 2 Divisions seem to have the best ability to blend cues, IMO. [In re-reading the above posts, I don't think this is what Tom was referring to...]
Ever seen a Chevrolet Chevelle vs a Canadian Pontiac? It wasn't strange to see similarities in a cross-over look back in the sixties. That is what this 2+2 reminds me of, here in America a 2+2 was a 421 Catalina Pontiac. This Doesn't look like a self-expression modified Riv to me?
That's the vehicle I was referring to. It has 428 on the front fenders. I THINK I saw a pic of the engine. IF I remember correctly it has trip's & a 4 spd. Tom T.
Oh; of course. Canadian Pontiac = Chevy chassis/powertrain, Pontiac sheet metal. The 'Pontiac Riviera' posted above is not a production car, it's a custom job.
I'm not surprised that Cadillac turned it down - it would not have really fit with the image that Cadillac wanted. Olds obviously had the Toronado; they would not have wanted to compete with themselves, so it had to be Buick or Pontiac that built the Riviera. I had read that Buick could have had their version of the Toronado, but they were not interested in FWD. This is just conjecture, but I think that Buick was not going to go with the Olds V8 - they would have needed a whole new parts inventory, so they would have had to come up with a new case for the "folded" THM-400. The first Generation Rivs fit Buick perfectly, and are considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cars ever produced in the USA. I'm one of the "many."
