5 Classic Imperials Sold as One Lot - Worth a Look

I’m with Stan and Big John, that one is breathtaking.
 
That's my problem with Imperials...lov'em all. Can't pick one over the others. There are styling cues on each one that are so cool.
 
I don't know why I did this. Maybe because it's Sunday afternoon and it's pouring out.

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That Chevy is no comparison in appearance to that Imp. :realcrazy:
 
That Chevy is no comparison in appearance to that Imp. :realcrazy:

Yeah, the Chevy just looks clumsy and too short for what they were trying to do. But I also felt GM took the lead in styling in the 1966- 1968 period until at least Chrysler came back with the stylish fuselage cars. I thought the 1966 - 1968 Buick Riverias were home runs......................... This 1966 model is probably the most beautiful vehicle ever designed in my opinion.

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Yeah, the Chevy just looks clumsy and too short for what they were trying to do. But I also felt GM took the lead in styling in the 1966- 1968 period until at least Chrysler came back with the stylish fuselage cars. I thought the 1966 - 1968 Buick Riverias were home runs......................... This 1966 model is probably the most beautiful vehicle ever designed in my opinion.

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I'm shocked you would pick that over this. Really.

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Its kind of tough to point out differences that sway me in the direction of the Riveria, but overall, I am a fan (or sucker) for loop grilles and I like the less dramatic inset nature of the Riveria grille by using the angled park lights to enhance the inset nature of the grille better than the more abrupt inset of the Toronado and its straight lined grille. The Riveria is more swoopy overall to me, with more gentle flowing lines down the bodyside rather than just the really much more pronounced wheel flares on the Toronado as its major body side styling feature. And the Toronado has a more straight line (horizontal) merging of the rear quarter panel into the front of its C pillar and the rear of the C pillar on the Toronado has a much more straight lined drop all the way to the rear bumper compared to the more gentle angled upward merging (i.e. more stylish) of the front of the rear quarter into the front of the Riveria's C pillar and the Riveria also has a more sloped rear C pillar angle in combination with its more pronounced decklid rather than just a steeply sloped rear end (the Toronado rear reminds me a great deal of the 1981 - 83 Imperials that I also really like, (but many do not), so its not that I don't like the Toronado, I just prefer a more protruding rear deck area. Overall, the flowing lines of the Riveria make it look longer and better proportioned to me and I prefer its more usual proportions. The Toronado has a more racy look, but I prefer a more sexy proportioned look (if that makes any sense relative to a car!) of the Riveria significantly better. And I am also a sucker for white walls!! :rofl:
 
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Rivieras have always been one of my favorites and you can even go back a couple of more years and I’m still drooling.
 
Highly controversial and subject to many disagreements by others, but I would take the 71 Riviera over any other.
I bought a 72 new. I wish History could repeat itself.

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Highly controversial and subject to many disagreements by others, but I would take the 71 Riviera over any other.
I bought a 72 new. I wish History could repeat itself.

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They were definitely better cars driving wise and relative to ergonomics, but they looked too much like an early Barracuda large back glass windowed vehicle for my tastes.

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However, I did like the later version of the early Barracudas

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Steve. Did you ever drive the 2nd generation fast back Barracuda? The 383 4spd. Formula S waz great for the 1320' but that C-Pillar would hide a complete Tractor and Trailer. Oh, and Stan, the Forest Green '66 Riveria with matching leather I bought that summer had a 140 Scroll type speedometer that would bang that 140 notch real easy. And wisely that beauty got broomed in '68 because the exhaust system took ah dump and between all the Pipes, 2 resonators and 2 mufflers they wanted $1000 in '68 to hang the new system, WTH? AND MY PAYMENTS WERE ONLY $150 AH MONTH which waz pretty stout back then too, Jer
 
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I only rode in one back in the days with a friend who owned a B7 blue one (4 speed Formulas S too) who worked in the suspension lab in Highland Park. He didn't say anything about the visibility, but I can well believe what you are saying. I loved everything else about the car. Very quick, handled really well and great to look at. His was a 1968 I believe since I do recall it didn't have the beaky bulge in the front like the 1969s that I felt spoiled the looks a bit.
 
Definitely "different strokes for different folks" some of the same comments mentioned above "for" the Riviera is what I would say of the Toronado. If you look deeper into articles about the '66 Toro you would see that these cars are "over built" in my opinion. The engineering was impressive. I have always want one of either the '66 Toronado but also looked at the Riviera. If looking for a car that stands out its the '66 Toronado. It took me several decades to find the right one and I have one now.

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Definitely "different strokes for different folks" some of the same comments mentioned above "for" the Riviera is what I would say of the Toronado. If you look deeper into articles about the '66 Toro you would see that these cars are "over built" in my opinion. The engineering was impressive. I have always want one of either the '66 Toronado but also looked at the Riviera. If looking for a car that stands out its the '66 Toronado. It took me several decades to find the right one and I have one now.

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I certainly agree that the Toronado is a beautiful car and was not trying to diminish its styling in any way, but rather to just state my preferences between the 2 relative to styling preferences as requested. I will say, however, one of the reasons I would also prefer a Riveria over a Toronado is the rear drive layout of the Riveria over the more trouble prone, much more expensive to repair and find parts for front wheel drive Toronado with a chain driven automatic transmission - from a long term view as part of a collection.

And I like the all black color of yours too - really sets it off!
 
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