1969 Cad Eldorado. I would beg mom to drop me off at the Cadillac dealership as a 12 year old so I could study each detail of the car. It's as impressive now as it was then.
My Dad owned an automatic transmission shop when I was a kid. I would go there and help out every day. But my real job was working for Buick, as a mechanic. So the Riviera has a place in my heart. I also love the Cadillac Eldorado.
Definitely. I also think the '79-85 Rivieras were some of the most beautiful cars ever produced. Timeless design and unmatched elegance, plus deluxe interiors.
Have to go with the Riv. In high school a friend's family had a '69 GS with the 430, limited slip diff and TH400. That car was a beast! It could bury the 130MPH speedo needle if you let it. The big Caddy motor was big and powerful, but it was also prone to fast wear and other problems.
These production - years (mid 60- mid 70') are for me the. most important, impressive. I have a 68'Eldo and 69' Lincoln Mk 3, both low mileage and almost in perfect condition. Absolutely wonderful masterpieces, real head-turning cars. Wonderful engines, smooth and quiet ride guaranteed, really amazing! Thanks for sharing this special vlog /report. Rewards from Austria /Europe to all 🇦🇹👍👍
I've got to say the Riviera, I'm a Caddy guy but those Riviera's have such a sleek luxury muscle car look to them. And I'd definitely would love one with bucket seats and a center console.
I've owned a '67 Eldorado. It was a beautiful car, but the understeer and braking issues made it less of a performance car even though it was equipped with the front disc brake option. It's worth noting that Cadillac offered a rarely ordered 4 wheel disc brake option for '68 Eldorado's. Detailed sources list it. Unlike the Eldorado, I like the optional bucket seat and floor shift console option so my pick would be the '69 Riviera. Somewhere in this presentation it's incorrectly stated that '68 Eldorado's had exposed headlights. Both '67 and '68 Eldorados have hidden headlamps. The front turn signals were moved from below the grill in '67 to the front fender edges for '68 and side maker lights were added by federal mandate. Headlights were exposed for '69 and beyond. *Owners complained in cold climates that the headlamp doors would freeze even though they're designed to retract under the headlight assemblies versus above them in case of motor failure. The federal mandate for the ignition, steering wheel, and transmission interlock, with a warning buzzer, became effective 01/01/1969. Not 1970. Included in the mandates effective for '69 is the headrest requirement. Having owned a '65 Riviera, I'm now searching for a disc brake, buckets and console shift, '67 Rivi. Bill Mitchell had a talent that is sorely missing today. Nice versus presentation.
GM's, Mitchell Bentley supplier, designed wide Strato Bucket seats which are installed with slim consoles on '67 Eldorado's. It's the same installation for the estimated 50 '66 Toronado's ordered with bucket seats. Some sales brochures suggested adding the passenger seat reclining option with twin headrests. MT suggested, in its review of the new '67 Eldo, that buckets were the way to go for individualized comfort in keeping with the four passenger personal luxury theme so well established by the Thunderbird. In my opinion, nothing says dramamine driver like a bench seat. They are especially uncomfortable in a two driver household when both drivers are of significantly different heights. '67 Eldorados either came with the Strato Bench or Strato Buckets. Rivera's had the same set up but their seats are narrower and the non floor shit console is wider. I'm sure that's because the floor pans are unique since they could be optioned with a wide console floor shifter. When Toronado's offered a floor shift option, it was housed in a short console, placed slightly ahead of, instead of directly between, the bucket seats so their bucket seats could remain wide. I can't see how new car owners could tire of bucket seats when the demand for cup holders and all sorts of storage compartments keeps rising and the infotainment screens and stacks keep growing dimensionally. It can be a pain if something valuable falls between the seats and console, but better designs will decrease that problem.
It's about time someone produced such a nice job featuring an overview of this 'Sports/luxury' creation. These cars were (mostly) the very most handsomely styled cars ever..IMO. Some interesting powerful F/W/D cars and some beautiul rear w/ drive like the Rivieras'. NICE JOB. Cheers.
Great history and review, these were some of my favorite generations of Cadillac both the eldorado and the devilles and I love the buicks as well for sure 🔥🔥👏🏾🙏🏾thank you sir
I had the 70 Eldo in Buckskin gold. It could fly . Bought it in 1989 and nothing could beat it for speed. Loved the rear windows, they slid back into the body not up and down. Front wheel drive made for plenty of floor space . My vote, the Eldo. My all time favorite was my 64 Fleetwood limo. Had a glass window between front and passenger compartment.
Riviera 1972 boat tail is the Best of ALL times... design and engines V8 Monsters... Caddy is a great example of beautiffull car but Buick is my dream...72, 73,74..
Buick for the looks without a doubt!!!!! My Father had a 66 Toronado base for MANY years, never a trans issue until over 100 grand but the CV boots like all CV boots did get old and crack. Remember back when people would say what's a CV boot? They had a weird crimp strap that would hold the boot onto the outboard side and I think required a special tool to get it tight and installed properly. Brakes were never a strong point of any 4000+ pound car with 4 wheel drums and yes front discs were a welcome addition but that Toronado had NO torque steer and really not much wheel spin as when I got my license at 16 I took it for some impressive drives. It pulled smooth and strong for such a heavy vehicle and was a serious highway cruiser, when you opened those Quadrajet secondary's it was obvious. The thing with 4 wheel drums was when ALL vehicles had them back then stopping from say 60 in 200+++ feet was normal but with discs distances were reduced as was fade so then the same vehicle became harder to drive and required caution if you were traveling at say 80 but fewer vehicles on the road so less need for stopping quickly. Regarding your down the mountain tests if you look on youtube there are some factory I think 60's MOPAR tests/comparisons speeding down a mountain and trying to stop. 59 Olds commercial with the 'air scoop' brakes, LMAO, now when the roads are filled with vehicles that stop in 120 feet from 60 and an old 4500 beast took double that is when its the most noticeable so classic owners need to beware or update
In my opinion I have to say that both are very cool even if you added the Toronado to the mix, they each had styling that was distinguished from any other car on the road, it just depended on which one you wanted and how you equipped it so I’ll take both even the Toronado!!!
Oh after having owned both a 71 Riviera and 1971 Toronado, that I bought used later on in the 80’s, know are from later generations compared to the above, nonetheless I fell the Toronado, at least in snow covered areas was far superior that the rear wheel drive boat called Riviera. I will admit the brakes in the Rev were a little better after a few stops. But the traction of the fwd system in a Toronado was fabulous! So good in fact I was always able to get to work as one of the earliest shifts plow drivers! I remember adding brand new FireStone Town&Country 15”/H70 Radial tires on mine all the way around. So between the tires, plus cranking up the front torsion bars an inch, with new MOOG Cargo Coil springs in the rear, with new adjustable Koni Shocks all around, that was the best front wheel drive car in the snow I ever had, while a couple Corvairs were the best rear wheel drive cars! The Rivera’s were great riding and did handle dry roads better, but add just a little rain, never mind snow and forget about hard take offs!
I am totally two-faced, I am thumbs up in every person that likes to Riviera and also thumbs up in every person that likes to Cadillac. None of you should never trust me :-)
I own a 1970 Eldorado with a 500 V- 8, it is no slouch. You just can not gun the accelerator right out of the hole or the wheels will just endlessly spin.
I love both of the cars but the luxury of the Cadillac just cannot be beat and there was a huge difference in the way those two cars drove. The Cadillac just had a ride and drive unlike any car of its time. In terms of collectibility I would have to say that the Riviera would probably sell for more money today
The car at 1:09 looks like a Sedan Deville; I believe that all Fleetwoods (not counting the "Fleetwood Eldorado") had B pillars. It is mars the presentation a bit, but I'm sure it's easy to confuse the brochure pages.
The Photo is of a Fleetwood Sixty-Special Brougham. The Eldorado was also a Fleetwood model as was the model Seventy-Five (9 Pax. sedan and Limo.) In those days the de Ville Sedans were available in Hardtop or Post-Sedan. (The old men liked the higher roof of the Sedan de Ville Post-Sedan and Sixty-Special's because it wouldn't knock their hats off as they entered and exited.) I have owned both a '69 Eldo. and a '69 Riv.. Not sure why the comparison here as it is like comparing apples to oranges.. The Eldo. was about 500 lbs. heavier than the Riv. So, naturally the Riv. was lighter and had a more nimble feel to it. The Eldo. felt nimble compared to the other Cadillac models. Also, the Buick lacked the comfort features that were standard in the Eldo. The Buick was loaded with plastic where the Eldo. had chrome. The Eldo. had Automatic Level Control and those wonderful-for-night-driving Cornering Lights. The Eldo. had a "pinched" Rear-Window that was optically distorted and annoying. Neither one of them had Standard Air Conditioning which was typical back then. Many of the features we have become used to were only available as extra cost options in 1969. Such as the Air Conditioning, Tilt-wheel, Cruise control, power door locks, AM-FM Stereo, etc. Even if a power seat was standard it was either a Two-Way or Four-way. The Six-Way was an option. Intermittent Wipers did not exist. It was unusual to find a Riv. loaded with options, and more common to find an Eldo. that way. People did a lot of Special ordering back then if they wanted all the toys. Nice to see these cars. They were really nice back in the day. They both had to use Premium fuel (Minimum 92 Octane) which I think I could get for about .29 Cents a gal. back then. With the Air-conditioning on you could expect about 8 miles to the gallon with a light foot.
Actually, I'd have chosen a Coupe De Ville, which was sold alongside the Eldorado. In this generation (until 1971), the Eldorado was hardtop-only. To get a convertible, you needed to buy a Coupe De Ville. I also prefer the rear-wheel drive and more reliable drivetrain of the Coupe De Ville. I do prefer the stacked headlamps of the 1968 and earlier cars to the side-by-side headlamps used in 1969. !969 also saw the Coupe De Ville get curvier bodywork to look more similar to the Eldorado. The Riviera is a nice-looking car, but I prefer Cadillacs. I do like the fact that it's rear-wheel drive, but I'd probably choose an Eldorado anyway on looks, comfort and elegant image.
@Edgar Miller Yeah, the early Grand Prixs were nice before they started downsizing them. Not a great use of space inside, but a car with a lot of character. But it's more of a sporty GT car than an outright luxury yacht like the Eldo or Toranado.
Not just this generation, I always thought the Riviera was stylistically as good or better than its more expensive ElDo sibling, right through the 80s (and I think early 90s)
I always liked the hidden headlights, looked best with those Eldorado's. I had one of those "rimblow steering wheel on my 70 Riviera I bought in 1974, and I had to put a steering wheel cover on it because it was coming apart. Not a better idea.. I love 69 Riviera's and couldn't find one for sale in early 74 so I settled on the 70 Riviera sitting on the Buick dealership used lot , even though I like 68-69 Riviera's, that would be a hard decision to pick one over the other
Pike's Peak was used as a hillclimb site in early-1900s competitions by automakers to prove the strength, handling and overall quality of their products.
The Riviera easy. When I was a little kid in the 70's my father had a Silver one with black interior. Every time I see one it brings me back to that time.
...although the Eldorado did have front drive and a host of innovations, this grown up car kid must vote for the Riv...it just has more styling elements that truly set it apart from any other Buick.... ...AND the fact that you could order the GS option and have a true "bad boy" luxury performance car...😎
You do a good job with these videos but may I make a suggestion? Please tell us the wheelbase of each vehicle. That is a useful way to get a feeling for the size of these cars especially when comparing one to another. Also if you have time it would be good to tell us the overall length and the curb weight. But the wheelbase is the most important metric. Thanks!
I loved the switch-pitch torque converters; they made the car feel like a rocket ship when taking off; didn't drag racers covet them for PowerGlides, Super-Turbines and other 2 speed GM transmissions? The "Rimblow" horn on the other hand was a bad idea from the start; it was just a little awkward for a few years until the plastic hardened and it started to fail in various spots, then it was a nightmare. Rimblow joins pushbutton-stalks, little-Chicklet-buttons on the spokes, in the dustbin of horn activation history. Even the chrome rings of the '50s and '60s were too fussy and easy to break, though they looked cool. Even as an agnostic, I'm tempted to say that the horn belongs in the center of the wheel, where God intended it to be.
The Riviera’s coil spring suspension in all four corners rode better than the Eldorado’s and Toronado’s stiffer front torsion bar/rear leaf spring suspension. The Mark III and T-Bird had the same coil spring suspension setup as the Riviera and also rode better than the Eldorado and Toronado.
Back in the day we spent crazy amounts of time wrenching on our cars trying to get 300 HP which we would never achieve because we had no Dyno and relied on speed shop bought parts box claims. My father a Cadillac man would watch us fail and experiment and said “ What the hell are you guys doing? Just get a Cadillac and forget about it.” “ Nothing rides like it, it can’t be beat for power 500 ci and the ladies are gonna be jumping in the windows, you guys are wasting your time, you could be out banging beavers!, excuse him, it was the mid seventies. He was right, he was right, only later I realized he was right. I like both cars for the record.
Body styling,goes to the caddy. But I would choose the Buick. Solely because it is rear wheel drive. I really prefer the looks of the 67 Eldo. But I also like the 65 Riviera.
Oh please... the Olds Tornado way the car in the late 60s... that sleek curved body and classy interior and front wheel drive how can you even compare it to the low cost Riviera.
I have road in both and drove both I like both so I would have to vote for both. Because I liked them. Never road in tornado or drove one.but would like to.buy one today and you get burnt.the cost of restoring it could put you upside down in it.
The Buick would be my choice. The 430 and the high compression early 455 engine were real torque monsters and only weighed 40 pounds more than a all cast iron small block chevy.
I owned 2 FWD Toronados, a 67 and 68. I used to power stall and smoke the front right tire at car shows, and drove both of them from Huntington Beach to Texas at very high speeds for over 10 years. I never had a transmission problem with either. Never. Probably over 150,000 miles combined, the 68 was the best of them.
The Eldorado, between these two. Because...it's the Cadillac. But, given the choice, I'd take the Toronado. Must be my roots in Lansing, Michigan I guess.
‘67 -‘68 Eldorado because I liked the front end with the hideaway headlamps .but I for ‘69 I like the Riviera because you could get the optional GS package . And I think the interior was more elegant than the Eldorado with the custom interior . Next time you do a video show the right car . You showed the side view of a Cadillac Calais and the front end of a Cadillac Fleetwood
I'll take the Riviera, any day. Not only because it doesen't resemble an old man's car. The weight distribution ratio is more favorable for handling and the vehicle more resembles a gentleman's full-sized muscle car. The Toronado/Eldorado series would have done better, in going the way of the early Pontiac Tempest, in using a rear-mounted transaxle instead
Styling wise, I like the Buick. For ownership, I would prefer seeing a pristine example that someone else owns. I want to drive my collectible car, but not at single digit fuel economy around town. That blazing charge to 60 mph in 9 plus seconds is underwhelming by today's standards.
There is No comparison between the El Dorado and the Riviera. I've owned both. Totally different cars and different vibe. And the El Dorado wins hands down.
Also, the opening scene or still photograph shows the grill of a Cadillac Deville, not the Eldorado. And you obviously have plenty of photographs available of the Eldorado grill, which would be a more accurate video. Other than that I give your video a grade of A-.
1969 Cad Eldorado. I would beg mom to drop me off at the Cadillac dealership as a 12 year old so I could study each detail of the car. It's as impressive now as it was then.
My Dad owned an automatic transmission shop when I was a kid. I would go there and help out every day. But my real job was working for Buick, as a mechanic. So the Riviera has a place in my heart. I also love the Cadillac Eldorado.
The Eldorado is more elegant, but the Riviera is such a badass! Buick for the win!
The one year only body style of the 1970 Riviera GS with the 455 V8 and Posi. is my number one choice.
The Riviera gets my vote. It still looks like a classic design today.
Definitely. I also think the '79-85 Rivieras were some of the most beautiful cars ever produced. Timeless design and unmatched elegance, plus deluxe interiors.
My dad had a 66 Riviera and that switch pitch convertor worked just fine for close to 200K miles.
Have to go with the Riv. In high school a friend's family had a '69 GS with the 430, limited slip diff and TH400. That car was a beast! It could bury the 130MPH speedo needle if you let it. The big Caddy motor was big and powerful, but it was also prone to fast wear and other problems.
These production - years (mid 60- mid 70') are for me the. most important, impressive. I have a 68'Eldo and 69' Lincoln Mk 3, both low mileage and almost in perfect condition. Absolutely wonderful masterpieces, real head-turning cars. Wonderful engines, smooth and quiet ride guaranteed, really amazing! Thanks for sharing this special vlog /report. Rewards from Austria /Europe to all 🇦🇹👍👍
A 68' ? Or a '68 ? One of those would be 68 feet long.
I had the 70 Eldo and I loved the ride, speed and style. The value has gone up on them as it should. Nice to hear from a current owner.
I had 4 Buicks, a Century, a Regal, and 2 Park Avenue. I love Buicks.
I've got to say the Riviera, I'm a Caddy guy but those Riviera's have such a sleek luxury muscle car look to them. And I'd definitely would love one with bucket seats and a center console.
Riviera I had two of them and sure wish I still had the 1973 it was a beautiful car , ride and power was outstanding ❤️
I've owned a '67 Eldorado. It was a beautiful car, but the understeer and braking issues made it less of a performance car even though it was equipped with the front disc brake option.
It's worth noting that Cadillac offered a rarely ordered 4 wheel disc brake option for '68 Eldorado's. Detailed sources list it.
Unlike the Eldorado, I like the optional bucket seat and floor shift console option so my pick would be the '69 Riviera.
Somewhere in this presentation it's incorrectly stated that '68 Eldorado's had exposed headlights. Both '67 and '68 Eldorados have hidden headlamps. The front turn signals were moved from below the grill in '67 to the front fender edges for '68 and side maker lights were added by federal mandate. Headlights were exposed for '69 and beyond. *Owners complained in cold climates that the headlamp doors would freeze even though they're designed to retract under the headlight assemblies versus above them in case of motor failure.
The federal mandate for the ignition, steering wheel, and transmission interlock, with a warning buzzer, became effective 01/01/1969. Not 1970. Included in the mandates effective for '69 is the headrest requirement.
Having owned a '65 Riviera, I'm now searching for a disc brake, buckets and console shift, '67 Rivi. Bill Mitchell had a talent that is sorely missing today.
Nice versus presentation.
GM's, Mitchell Bentley supplier, designed wide Strato Bucket seats which are installed with slim consoles on '67 Eldorado's. It's the same installation for the estimated 50 '66 Toronado's ordered with bucket seats. Some sales brochures suggested adding the passenger seat reclining option with twin headrests.
MT suggested, in its review of the new '67 Eldo, that buckets were the way to go for individualized comfort in keeping with the four passenger personal luxury theme so well established by the Thunderbird.
In my opinion, nothing says dramamine driver like a bench seat. They are especially uncomfortable in a two driver household when both drivers are of significantly different heights. '67 Eldorados either came with the Strato Bench or Strato Buckets. Rivera's had the same set up but their seats are narrower and the non floor shit console is wider. I'm sure that's because the floor pans are unique since they could be optioned with a wide console floor shifter.
When Toronado's offered a floor shift option, it was housed in a short console, placed slightly ahead of, instead of directly between, the bucket seats so their bucket seats could remain wide.
I can't see how new car owners could tire of bucket seats when the demand for cup holders and all sorts of storage compartments keeps rising and the infotainment screens and stacks keep growing dimensionally. It can be a pain if something valuable falls between the seats and console, but better designs will decrease that problem.
It's about time someone produced such a nice job featuring an overview of this 'Sports/luxury' creation. These cars were (mostly) the very most handsomely styled cars ever..IMO. Some interesting powerful F/W/D cars and some beautiul rear w/ drive like the Rivieras'. NICE JOB. Cheers.
Great history and review, these were some of my favorite generations of Cadillac both the eldorado and the devilles and I love the buicks as well for sure 🔥🔥👏🏾🙏🏾thank you sir
I had the 70 Eldo in Buckskin gold. It could fly . Bought it in 1989 and nothing could beat it for speed. Loved the rear windows, they slid back into the body not up and down. Front wheel drive made for plenty of floor space . My vote, the Eldo. My all time favorite was my 64 Fleetwood limo. Had a glass window between front and passenger compartment.
Riviera 1972 boat tail is the Best of ALL times... design and engines V8 Monsters... Caddy is a great example of beautiffull car but Buick is my dream...72, 73,74..
Amazing,beautiful,so good both of em,
Buick for the looks without a doubt!!!!! My Father had a 66 Toronado base for MANY years, never a trans issue until over 100 grand but the CV boots like all CV boots did get old and crack. Remember back when people would say what's a CV boot? They had a weird crimp strap that would hold the boot onto the outboard side and I think required a special tool to get it tight and installed properly. Brakes were never a strong point of any 4000+ pound car with 4 wheel drums and yes front discs were a welcome addition but that Toronado had NO torque steer and really not much wheel spin as when I got my license at 16 I took it for some impressive drives. It pulled smooth and strong for such a heavy vehicle and was a serious highway cruiser, when you opened those Quadrajet secondary's it was obvious. The thing with 4 wheel drums was when ALL vehicles had them back then stopping from say 60 in 200+++ feet was normal but with discs distances were reduced as was fade so then the same vehicle became harder to drive and required caution if you were traveling at say 80 but fewer vehicles on the road so less need for stopping quickly. Regarding your down the mountain tests if you look on youtube there are some factory I think 60's MOPAR tests/comparisons speeding down a mountain and trying to stop. 59 Olds commercial with the 'air scoop' brakes, LMAO, now when the roads are filled with vehicles that stop in 120 feet from 60 and an old 4500 beast took double that is when its the most noticeable so classic owners need to beware or update
In my opinion I have to say that both are very cool even if you added the Toronado to the mix, they each had styling that was distinguished from any other car on the road, it just depended on which one you wanted and how you equipped it so I’ll take both even the Toronado!!!
Oh after having owned both a 71 Riviera and 1971 Toronado, that I bought used later on in the 80’s, know are from later generations compared to the above, nonetheless I fell the Toronado, at least in snow covered areas was far superior that the rear wheel drive boat called Riviera. I will admit the brakes in the Rev were a little better after a few stops. But the traction of the fwd system in a Toronado was fabulous! So good in fact I was always able to get to work as one of the earliest shifts plow drivers! I remember adding brand new FireStone Town&Country 15”/H70 Radial tires on mine all the way around. So between the tires, plus cranking up the front torsion bars an inch, with new MOOG Cargo Coil springs in the rear, with new adjustable Koni Shocks all around, that was the best front wheel drive car in the snow I ever had, while a couple Corvairs were the best rear wheel drive cars! The Rivera’s were great riding and did handle dry roads better, but add just a little rain, never mind snow and forget about hard take offs!
I had three 70 Riviera's. I'll take the Buick all day, everyday. I miss those cars
"NOTHING BEATS A CADILLAC"
beautiful ,style,class,all autos everyone wanted,before big government started to say how cars were made for us,great show love watching you guys.
Riviera is number one those years! Style flare magnificent
When I was a kid my aunt Judy had a 69 Riviera that was so cool so I vote for the Riviera!!! 😎
Not only the 60s cars on Pikes Peak but bias ply tires were the biggest trouble
Riviera gets my vote. Beautiful car.
I am totally two-faced, I am thumbs up in every person that likes to Riviera and also thumbs up in every person that likes to Cadillac. None of you should never trust me :-)
WORKS OF ART
69 Rivera better looking than anything in 2020
I own a 1970 Eldorado with a 500 V- 8, it is no slouch. You just can not gun the accelerator right out of the hole or the wheels will just endlessly spin.
Riviera. BEAUTIFUL Buick!!!!
I love both of the cars but the luxury of the Cadillac just cannot be beat and there was a huge difference in the way those two cars drove. The Cadillac just had a ride and drive unlike any car of its time. In terms of collectibility I would have to say that the Riviera would probably sell for more money today
Love both but I've got to go with that beautiful Riviera!
My dad was a Buick loyalist, he traded his new Riviera GS every 2/3years. Buick, I would choose. But,not a new 1, today. No big block V8s.
Great show miss your podcasts
why are they showing the 69 Fleetwood
The car at 1:09 looks like a Sedan Deville; I believe that all Fleetwoods (not counting the "Fleetwood Eldorado") had B pillars. It is mars the presentation a bit, but I'm sure it's easy to confuse the brochure pages.
Beats me ?
Not only that but they are talking about one engine and showing another all together the 472???
The Photo is of a Fleetwood Sixty-Special Brougham. The Eldorado was also a Fleetwood model as was the model Seventy-Five (9 Pax. sedan and Limo.) In those days the de Ville Sedans were available in Hardtop or Post-Sedan. (The old men liked the higher roof of the Sedan de Ville Post-Sedan and Sixty-Special's because it wouldn't knock their hats off as they entered and exited.)
I have owned both a '69 Eldo. and a '69 Riv.. Not sure why the comparison here as it is like comparing apples to oranges.. The Eldo. was about 500 lbs. heavier than the Riv. So, naturally the Riv. was lighter and had a more nimble feel to it. The Eldo. felt nimble compared to the other Cadillac models. Also, the Buick lacked the comfort features that were standard in the Eldo. The Buick was loaded with plastic where the Eldo. had chrome. The Eldo. had Automatic Level Control and those wonderful-for-night-driving Cornering Lights. The Eldo. had a "pinched" Rear-Window that was optically distorted and annoying. Neither one of them had Standard Air Conditioning which was typical back then. Many of the features we have become used to were only available as extra cost options in 1969. Such as the Air Conditioning, Tilt-wheel, Cruise control, power door locks, AM-FM Stereo, etc. Even if a power seat was standard it was either a Two-Way or Four-way. The Six-Way was an option. Intermittent Wipers did not exist. It was unusual to find a Riv. loaded with options, and more common to find an Eldo. that way. People did a lot of Special ordering back then if they wanted all the toys. Nice to see these cars. They were really nice back in the day. They both had to use Premium fuel (Minimum 92 Octane) which I think I could get for about .29 Cents a gal. back then. With the Air-conditioning on you could expect about 8 miles to the gallon with a light foot.
@@martybowen1 the 472 is the correct motor for 1969.
Actually, I'd have chosen a Coupe De Ville, which was sold alongside the Eldorado. In this generation (until 1971), the Eldorado was hardtop-only. To get a convertible, you needed to buy a Coupe De Ville. I also prefer the rear-wheel drive and more reliable drivetrain of the Coupe De Ville. I do prefer the stacked headlamps of the 1968 and earlier cars to the side-by-side headlamps used in 1969. !969 also saw the Coupe De Ville get curvier bodywork to look more similar to the Eldorado.
The Riviera is a nice-looking car, but I prefer Cadillacs. I do like the fact that it's rear-wheel drive, but I'd probably choose an Eldorado anyway on looks, comfort and elegant image.
@Edgar Miller I believe you, but I'd still prefer rear-wheel drive. If for nothing else, you'd get less tire wear and better handling.
@Edgar Miller Yeah, the early Grand Prixs were nice before they started downsizing them. Not a great use of space inside, but a car with a lot of character. But it's more of a sporty GT car than an outright luxury yacht like the Eldo or Toranado.
That Buick is a dime piece. AWESOME!
Always was a Caddy guy, having said that I have no mechanical skills but I do appreciate the beauty of cars
Buick! But then I'm prejudice: I have a 1966 Riviera...
Not just this generation, I always thought the Riviera was stylistically as good or better than its more expensive ElDo sibling, right through the 80s (and I think early 90s)
Fall in love with this cars after seem the featured on the movie📽🎞 Casino
Love them both but I would chose the Riviera if I had to. 60s and 70s Buicks are all pretty sweet.
I always liked the hidden headlights, looked best with those Eldorado's. I had one of those "rimblow steering wheel on my 70 Riviera I bought in 1974, and I had to put a steering wheel cover on it because it was coming apart. Not a better idea.. I love 69 Riviera's and couldn't find one for sale in early 74 so I settled on the 70 Riviera sitting on the Buick dealership used lot , even though I like 68-69 Riviera's, that would be a hard decision to pick one over the other
I had a 69 Riviera the best car I ever owned it would float down the highway at ease
GM WAS THE BEST IN THOSE YEARS GREAT CARS
I've always loved the Buick Rivera's 🔥
Pike's Peak was used as a hillclimb site in early-1900s competitions by automakers to prove the strength, handling and overall quality of their products.
Why do they keep showing pictures of a Sedan de Ville?
I had a ‘69 DeVille convertible
The Riviera easy. When I was a little kid in the 70's my father had a Silver one with black interior.
Every time I see one it brings me back to that time.
...although the Eldorado did have front drive and a host of innovations, this grown up car kid must vote for the Riv...it just has more styling elements that truly set it apart from any other Buick....
...AND the fact that you could order the GS option and have a true "bad boy" luxury performance car...😎
A few years ago I'd probably say the Riviera but that caddy is what I'd go with today!
Have to say 67-68 Eldorados were the coolest with their hide-away headlights
I always liked the looks of the Buick better. Cadillacs were never my thing.
You do a good job with these videos but may I make a suggestion? Please tell us the wheelbase of each vehicle. That is a useful way to get a feeling for the size of these cars especially when comparing one to another. Also if you have time it would be good to tell us the overall length and the curb weight. But the wheelbase is the most important metric. Thanks!
Buick Riv.....especially a GS
I would love to see you do one of these shows for a 1973 Ford Galaxie 500
I like the El Dee but, since Pops owned the 1970 Wildcat, I lean to the RIVIERA~
Caddy...ALL DAY!
I think the most beautiful Buick Rivieras were the 1971 and '72 "boat-tail" Rivieras.
Sorry but the original 1963 Riviera was and always will be Buick's greatest product ever!
@@johnscanlan9335 : The '63 Riviera is a beautiful car, but I still believe the '71 and'72 blow it away with its looks.
I loved the switch-pitch torque converters; they made the car feel like a rocket ship when taking off; didn't drag racers covet them for PowerGlides, Super-Turbines and other 2 speed GM transmissions? The "Rimblow" horn on the other hand was a bad idea from the start; it was just a little awkward for a few years until the plastic hardened and it started to fail in various spots, then it was a nightmare. Rimblow joins pushbutton-stalks, little-Chicklet-buttons on the spokes, in the dustbin of horn activation history. Even the chrome rings of the '50s and '60s were too fussy and easy to break, though they looked cool. Even as an agnostic, I'm tempted to say that the horn belongs in the center of the wheel, where God intended it to be.
I have to go caddy. I've had several, including a 69 Sedan De Ville.
When will the personal luxury coupe return to the U S car market I like the Riviera in certain years and certain years for the Eldorado and Toranado
The Riviera gets my vote, but the Cadillac and Oldsmobile were great, too.
The Riviera’s coil spring suspension in all four corners rode better than the Eldorado’s and Toronado’s stiffer front torsion bar/rear leaf spring suspension. The Mark III and T-Bird had the same coil spring suspension setup as the Riviera and also rode better than the Eldorado and Toronado.
Back in the day we spent crazy amounts of time wrenching on our cars trying to get 300 HP which we would never achieve because we had no Dyno and relied on speed shop bought parts box claims. My father a Cadillac man would watch us fail and experiment and said “ What the hell are you guys doing? Just get a Cadillac and forget about it.” “ Nothing rides like it, it can’t be beat for power 500 ci and the ladies are gonna be jumping in the windows, you guys are wasting your time, you could be out banging beavers!, excuse him, it was the mid seventies.
He was right, he was right, only later I realized he was right.
I like both cars for the record.
Boat tail Rivs were the best....
Body styling,goes to the caddy. But I would choose the Buick. Solely because it is rear wheel drive. I really prefer the looks of the 67 Eldo. But I also like the 65 Riviera.
Oh please... the Olds Tornado way the car in the late 60s... that sleek curved body and classy interior and front wheel drive how can you even compare it to the low cost Riviera.
I have road in both and drove both I like both so I would have to vote for both. Because I liked them. Never road in tornado or drove one.but would like to.buy one today and you get burnt.the cost of restoring it could put you upside down in it.
The Buick would be my choice. The 430 and the high compression early 455 engine were real torque monsters and only weighed 40 pounds more than a all cast iron small block chevy.
Front wheel drive-1960s style.
Definitely the Riv., Much more attractive.
The riviera is what I rather have
I'm biased... I own a 1975 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, so i gotta lean towards the Cadillac.
The Riveria is the better car not only for the price but for the styling and the handling!!
id take this over 3 escalades...
I owned 2 FWD Toronados, a 67 and 68. I used to power stall and smoke the front right tire at car shows, and drove both of them from Huntington Beach to Texas at very high speeds for over 10 years. I never had a transmission problem with either. Never. Probably over 150,000 miles combined, the 68 was the best of them.
The Eldorado, between these two. Because...it's the Cadillac.
But, given the choice, I'd take the Toronado. Must be my roots in Lansing, Michigan I guess.
For 1969 I prefer the Eldorado. The best looking Rivieras were 63 to 65 and then 72 to 73 "boat tails". Cadillac gets the win in 69!
No reason to even tell you baby CADILLAC HANDS DOWN!
My brother had a ‘69 Eldorado.
Cadillac! I saw Brad Pitt drive one in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood like it was a Mercedes-Benz 6.0 and I’m convinced!
Buick Riviera is a beautiful car
‘67 -‘68 Eldorado because I liked the front end with the hideaway headlamps .but I for ‘69 I like the Riviera because you could get the optional GS package . And I think the interior was more elegant than the Eldorado with the custom interior .
Next time you do a video show the right car . You showed the side view of a Cadillac Calais and the front end of a Cadillac Fleetwood
I'll take the Riviera, any day. Not only because it doesen't resemble an old man's car. The weight distribution ratio is more favorable for handling and the vehicle more resembles a gentleman's full-sized muscle car.
The Toronado/Eldorado series would have done better, in going the way of the early Pontiac Tempest, in using a rear-mounted transaxle instead
Cadillac The Standard of the World (it was, anyway) ftw !!!
Styling wise, I like the Buick. For ownership, I would prefer seeing a pristine example that someone else owns. I want to drive my collectible car, but not at single digit fuel economy around town. That blazing charge to 60 mph in 9 plus seconds is underwhelming by today's standards.
There is No comparison between the El Dorado and the Riviera. I've owned both. Totally different cars and different vibe. And the El Dorado wins hands down.
1969 Buick Riviera
Cadillac Eldorado 1967_1969 amazing car
El Dorado for sure i have a 68 with a 472
Riviera for me
The Riviera any day
Also, the opening scene or still photograph shows the grill of a Cadillac Deville, not the Eldorado. And you obviously have plenty of photographs available of the Eldorado grill, which would be a more accurate video. Other than that I give your video a grade of A-.
................can I get the 69 Eldorado but with the Riviera's RWD?
Riviera all the way !!!
The caddy wins ...hands down!