Buick Riviera VI gallery (1978–1985)

The sixth-generation Riviera introduced front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension, and a pioneering turbocharged V6.

All photos 38 I 0 1962–1965 II 0 1965–1970 III 0 1970–1973 IV 0 1973–1976 V 0 1976–1978 VI 0 1978–1985 VII 0 1985–1993 VIII 0 1994–1999

Debuting for 1979, the sixth-generation Riviera ushered in a technical revolution by transitioning to front-wheel drive on GM's downsized E-body platform with a longitudinal engine layout. It was engineered with four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, achieving remarkable packaging efficiency. A major engineering milestone was the introduction of the turbocharged 3.8-liter Buick V6 on the Riviera S-Type, which won Motor Trend's prestigious Car of the Year award in 1979. Traditional naturally aspirated options included Oldsmobile and Buick V8s (4.1L, 5.0L, and 5.7L), along with a 5.7-liter Oldsmobile V8 diesel engine, paired with 3-speed and later 4-speed automatic transmissions with overdrive (THM 325-4L). In 1982, a factory-sanctioned convertible returned to the lineup via American Sunroof Corporation (ASC). This generation became a massive sales triumph for Buick, with total production surpassing 370,000 units throughout its seven-year run.