Buick introduced the Riviera as a stand-alone model in late 1962, but the name can be traced back to 1949. That's when the company used it for the first time on a two-door pillarless hardtop version ...

Buick had used the name “Riviera” to denote its trailblazing hardtop as far back as 1949, but it emerged as a standalone model in late 1962. The car's performance was as good as its looks -- which ...