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The Buick Riviera received a facelift in 1968 with new front sheet metal and a hefty grille that was almost (but not quite) as clunky as the Oldsmobile Toronado. Calendar year production took a big jump for Buick to 652,059 units, but everybody’s sales increased, so the division stayed in fifth place nationally. Base price was $4,615, making the ’68 Riviera Buick’s most expensive model.
 The Riviera’s engine remained the 430 cid V-8, now good for 360 bhp, though additional weight slowed it slightly to 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds and a 15.9 second quarter-mile. Top speed was 125-132 mph depending on the magazine that was testing the car. Tom McCahill of Mechanix Illustrated called the Rivera “just about the best of any 1968 car we have tested.”
Standard Riviera equipment included the 3-speed Super Turbine transmission, dual exhaust, power steering, power brakes, two-speed electric wipers with washers, safety buzzers and warning lights, tilt and telescopic steering column, upper and lower dash safety pads, console gear selector, walnut paneling on the dash and full carpeting.
1968 Buick Rivera options included air conditioning, power windows, power front disc brakes, four- and six-way power seats, tinted glass, cruise control, cornering lights, wire wheel covers, five-spoke chrome wheels and an automatic trunk release.

1967 Buick Riviera coupe courtesy Classic Auto Mall

Clean, flowing lines marked the 1966 Buick Riviera as a marvelously pure example of automotive design. The car's 119-inch wheelbase chassis was a rear-drive variant of the new perimeter-frame design used by the contemporary 1966 front-wheel-drive Oldsmobile Toronado. A 340-hp Buick “nailhead” V-8 was standard in all 1966 Rivieras. The Gran Sport option now consisted of appearance and handling items.
With only minor exterior changes, the 1967 Riviera featured a new Buick 430 V-8. The Gran Sport package officially became “GS” equipment. For 1969, AccuDrive and variable ratio power steering made Riviera an even greater road car.
The restyled 1970 Riviera offered a retrospective take on swoopy French cars of the 1930s. This bit of design whimsy resulted in an uncharacteristically baroque Riviera; a fully dressed ’70, with its sweeping moldings and rear skirts. Under the hood was the high-compression 370-hp, 455-cid, V-8. Condition is everything when selecting a 1966-70 Riviera for collector purposes as their clean forms do not suffer blemishes well. Exceptional cars are rare, breathtakingly beautiful and sure to enjoy continued appreciation.