1999 Buick Riviera Silver Arrow 🇮🇹

This Buick Riviera, protagonist of this monograph, is a very special car: it is a final edition Silver Arrow, built for the occasion in just 200 numbered units. The plaque on the dash by the glove box states that this is the only Silver Arrow present in Italy, #199 of 200. Considering the models were numbered starting from # 0, we can affirm that the Silver Arrow of the Nicola Bulgari Collection is in fact the last Buick Riviera produced in the world! Even though it originates from the coupe in production, the Silver Arrow boasts a specific paint in Silver Metallic and an interior completely upholstered in Silver leather. On the outside two plain chrome badges on the sides, between the wheelhouse and the door base, show the special Silver Arrow script in cursive lettering.

As far as the collectors value is concerned, it should be remembered that the eighth generation of the Riviera (1995-’99), in its time was classified by the “National Automotive History Collection of the Detroit Public Library” among the vehicles becoming most sought after in the near future. At this point we wonder if in the upper echelons of General Motors they have already considered the opportunity of a rebirth of a historic name like Riviera. We can only hope they have.

Company
General Motors

Wheelbase
113.8in

Interior trim
Silver leather

Brakes
front and rear discs

Make
Buick

Length
207.2in

Engine
V6 supercharged - 231cid

Tires
P225/60 R16

Model
Riviera

Width
75in

Carburetor
Sequential Port Fuel Injection

Original Price
$33,820

Body style
2-door Coupe

Weight
3713lbs

Horsepower
240hp @ 5200rpm

Production
200

Model year
1999

Exterior paint
Silver Met.

Transmission
automatic 4-speed

The last two generations of the Buick Riviera introduce us to the modern era in car history. The elimination of the V8 engine, together with further changes to body size, took the Riviera into a new dimension: nearer to the shape and content of the premium category vehicles of Europe. Electronics gained ground, the transverse positioning of the V6 3.8 liter engine optimized the distribution of weight and organization of interior space.

The eighth and last generation of the Buick Riviera (1995-1999) ended over thirty years of production with an eye to road performance. The new highly aerodynamic body was teamed with a new supercharged version of the classic V6, making the Riviera one of the fastest personal-luxury cars of all time. The best possible way to conclude the story of a true classic of US automobiles. The evolution and history of the Buick Riviera ended with the 1999 model, the year in which Buick celebrated its 95th birthday. The car we have before us can be considered contemporary and incorporates all the characteristics of a typical luxury coupe of the new millennium, loaded with technology and accessories.

With its 5.26 meter length and 1.38 m height it certainly doesn’t pass unnoticed, its extremely modern and aerodynamic shape is in line with that of many cars in the same category. The level of reliability of the Buick towards the end of the nineties was such that every Riviera produced was given a full guarantee of five years, or 100,000 miles. In 1999 the Buick Riviera had a list price of almost 34,000 dollars and was sold with a complete range of equipment as standard, including various accessories previously charged as extras: among these were traction control, electrically folding, heated wing mirrors, a 125 amp alternator and four new colors for the paintwork (Silver Metallic, Titanium Blue Metallic, Gold Firemist Metallic and Dark Bronzemist Metallic).

To celebrate in grand style the final curtain of the series production, the only engine planned for the ’99 Riviera was a powerful V6 “L 67” 3.8 liter Supercharged Series II, supercharged by a volumetric Eaton Generation III M90 compressor able to provide 240 hp at 5200 rpm. The torque of 380 N-m at 3600 rpm guaranteed fluid handling and immediate acceleration, comparable to the expectations of those used to driving a V8.

The name of the last Riviera models to come out of the Flint plant for 1999 was Silver Arrow, in honor of the homonymous concept car designed by Bill Mitchell in the sixties. Only 200 of these were produced, each numbered on the dash, all painted in Silver Metallic with Silver leather interior, to honor the final edition of a great icon of American motor cars.