GM's first concept car, the 2-passenger 1938 Buick Y-Job sports convertible developed by Harley Earl, featured disappearing headlamps, a convertible top that automatically concealed itself beneath a m etal cover

features. Plus many other advanced styling features. Its design influenced Buick models for many years after its 1938 introduction including the 71-73 Boat tail Rivieras.

This car was Harley Earl's personal car for many years, and considering that it was produced in 1938 is amazingly forward looking. It's styling is very advanced for it's day and at first glance can easilypairff'Jbr a SO's^era vehicle. . . _ - • •

"In*itb> Stary" of Buick'* -ExprrimrtiUtl Laburatorj on Wh+*U

The futuristic design ofBuicks 1951 XP-300 is emphasized in this view of the new experimental car. The hood and front fenders are a single welded unit, while the hood opens in reverse alligator fashion by hydraulic control. The headlights and parking lights are mounted in open grille work which permits cooling

The Worlds most famous concept car The 1951 LeSabre developed by Harley Early

Introduced advancedfeatures that carried into iprodutgjwn cars least of which was the long low look

Tk th^ tailfin and wrap around windscreens. IS

y$^ftield was an industry first The convertible top and side windows are electrically operated and raise automatically when the moisture hits a seitsitizedxpot Jocated between

In 1951 LeSabre was one of the first show vehicles produced by General Motors Styling following * World War II. reflecting Harley Earl's fascination with jet fighters, LeSabre adopted many of the design and engineering features found in high performance aircraft. Lightweight materials like cast magnesium is used in the decklid, frontjjender valence, and inner door panels. The hood, fenders, and out door panels are made of aluminum.

The 1953 Buick Wildcat I concept car designed and built primarily to test the use of fiberglass in automobile bodybuilding.

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One-piece windshield was wraparound Boosted New show car styling to be seen in 50rs GMs especially Skylark, Betair, Corvette and Cadi

Styling took cues from Cadillac and hinted at things to come for Skylark f Olds and Corvette

The 1954 Buick Wildcat II concept car had a front fender that flared straight out from the body, exposing the entire front Mheet All and part of the

Wildcat concept car also featured Buick's portholes, but larger and placed on the top of the fender like in 53 Wildcat instead of the sides.

955 Buick Wildcat III was a 4-passeng

had two bomb-shaped

l bumpers.

The front also had ftvo bomb-shaped bumpers that housed parking lights and directional signals.—

The 1955 GMC L fUniverselle concept truck Futuristic styling of L 'Universelle influenced design

in the '60s with the first compact (mini) van from Chevrolet, built on a Corvair chassis.

1956 Buick Centurion was an aerodynamic four-seat coupe with a patented rear-mounted television camera to provide a rear view to the driver. Front seats: automatically slid back

when the doors were opened for easier entry and also moved forward to provide entry and exit to the back seatsJ^

^gnliievered steering wheel positioned the steering shaft down centre of the car, allowing more legroom for the driver.

1958 XP-75 This close-coupled2-passenger coupe was based on a radically shortened 1959 Buick. The cast involved was a who Ts who of Buick history: Hurley Earl, Ned Nickl.es, liattow Curtice, and Ed

XP-706 concept car was Proposed as a mid-year I960 mod to compete with 4-seat Ford Thunderbird, In addition to a futuristic twin cockpit line, XP- 706 relied heavi backet seat interior, trimmed in genuine fe(fnj&.

(instructed from a prod nvtc

The 1963 Riviera was designed and equipped to appeal to the sophisticated car buyer, one who knew quality, yet appreciated

a fresh, new, exciting look in an automobile.

^ c o n c e p t s built from production cars were fAe Ztf/e 60?s Riviera Silver Arrow II which was

e/frre completion and the 72 Riviera Silver , . /^^frow III-built from a 71 Riviera ^ "~J

Bill Mitchell — with the 72 and 63 Silver Arrows Both of which were far ahead of there time and

he used as his personnel cars

swivel coniouf seats, a Wjfrigeraior and TV set The car's progress could be watch on a strip map projected on a radar-like scr console. if

Hfcdnto the front

The 1972 Buick Riviera Silver Arrow III Built from a production 1971 Riviera

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Cures on top o/on already well equipped Riviera, white-tinged taitiights, taitlishts in the roof, digital

dash duster, digital clock, amffm radio, various custom interior changes (upholstery, etc.) wire

wheels, sloped c pillar, sweep spear, sport mirrors

y well optioned production Riviera features include climate control, bucket seats with full console, 4

speaker am/fm stereo radio, custom trim interior, trip odometer, speed minder, Rally wheels, turning lights

chrome mirrors and full power access.

ther custom features were 3 way square iheadlights behind flush plastic lenses -fo

-highway beam- high beam incorporating turning tights, stock 72 grill hood strip Buick tri badge

Production Riviera quad*iwund headlights beam, turning tights are separated no hood strip or tri

badge

e-tmged taillights, taillights in the roof, dipped rear glass, keyless trunk lid

ightly shaper features than production Only 1 ever built

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4*1157 alMfflisMs, vents in trunk (71 only). wrap around rear g/oss, key bole in Rwera BadSe

33,000 built

The digital dash dipn't go into production until the later 80's.

interior trim is all engine 4 turned

roduction car ~ ^das engine turned,

analog gauges other trim is wood grain

Entering into ttSi computer age: Buic^reteased the fiituris 19S3 Questor concept vehicle showcasing the latest in

emerging electronics.

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Featured MCluded a special programmed laser key, SStraufttic adjusting light-sensitive windshield, navigation

center for monitoring maps, self-adjusting rear spoiler, and rear view miniature solid state TV camera

1985 Buick Wildcat concept car incorporated "bur-wheel drive and a McLaren engine based o Buick's 3.8-liter V-6, mounted behind the seats

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body structure ih composite carbon fiber and lass. This car, developed in cooperation with PP Industries, was given the coveted 1986 award for

prototype projects by the International Jury of the Car Design Award Turino-Piemonte

The 1985 BuickLucerm was described as a prestige/luxury front-drive coupe with exceptional

comfort for four adults in stylish environment

1990 Bolero mid-size car has a 3.3-liter V-6. It was considered a teaser for the 1992 Skylark. It had an

aerodynamic shape, with a rear deck slightly higher than the hood. It has a steeply raked windshield, vertical-bar grille

and smooth lines throughout.

used in the instrument panel and doors. Designers had families in mind when they provided a built-in cooler in the rear package shelf.

This 1998 Signia concept multiple-activity vehicle offers the versatility of a van or sport utility and^

—retained the comfort, convenience and safety of a sedan ( based on Park Avenue architecture).

ignia is taller, somewhaHvicjcr, and significantly shorter than the Park Avenue. It also has higher seats and roof as well as inset rocker panels for

easier passenger access

ts an we red rear floor that extends 15 ches out the back. Large re

degree opening range,

Buick 1999 Cielo is an elegant, stylish four-door convertible- Its name, pronounced see-A-low,

stands for "sky" in Spanish. It was positioned as a mid-size family car and "no compromise

convertible."

Two front-to-rear roofrbils p stretch and permit using three opaqu panels a

slide into the trunk when ti the top down.

frtver wants

A voice-activated system opens and closes doors and operates the convertible top as well as

entertainment and climate controls.

luxu car whose most notable feature is its ability to be

• J X r j ' W IV I rLI T ri • L J ' h • v — i—r-^n • - —- —

transform-with a single voice command- to a light

The tailgate electronically slides downward and under the vehicle,

and the rear window and rear pwnon of the roof slide forward to reveal the cargo area.

LaCrosse's four doors are power-op era ted and ^^^^^^^

hinged at the front and rear pillars, opening at the centre pillar for easy access. m

4

• easy access.

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The 2000 Buick Biackhawk wasn't officially built by GM - it was conceived and built as a styling exercise outside of corporate policy

Just as Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell often did.

magnificent car with the styling from the golden age of motoring

It has survived so far at least, thanks to enthusiast support

oles - three

When^j^^ted, the top is deck for a look rem in i seen

boat tail designs of the 1930s.

The hood tilts forward when opened, creating dramatic look that evokes a bygone er

A complementing clamshell deck li the opposite direction to swallow the

Velite's folding soft top.

Did I mention therV/ Were drawings of a Boat tail version in 200 4, looks like a Riviera to

2004 Buick Velite concept has experimental twin-turbocharged, intercooled global 3-6-liter DOHC V6 engine with 400-hp and 400 lb-ft of torque motor trend stated it could into

production in 2007- it never did ,

Buick took a bold leap into the 21st century with the debut of the 2006 Enclave luxury sports utility vehicle. Though a concept at that stage

2006 Enclave concept provided a detailed look at the coming 2007 Enclave production model.

Buick called it 'heritage forward' styling-Exterior was accented with selective chrome trim

and massive 21-inch, chrome-finished cast aluminum seven-spoke wheels

The 2008 Riviera concept coupe was developed with global design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center {PATAC) in China

I like the Velite(Riviera) better but this could be ok

Yet another GM Boat tail Concept

Keep watching to see what it is