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Big, finned, plush and heavily chromed, the 1958 Buick Limited Riviera was the ultimate automotive embodiment of its era. In a decade of boundless optimism and unfettered by constraints of any kind (apart from their own imaginations), American designers sought to outdo one another in sheer extravagance and opulence. Hats off to Sun Star for selecting this impressive car and assigning it to their new high detail “Platinum” line. With this series Sun Star joins well-established manufacturers in the mid-to-high price range, promising much, and delivering on almost all counts. Following the success of the wonderfully done ’56 Lincoln Premiere with an even more flamboyant subject, Sun Star revels in the challenge.
The big B-58 Buick’s lavish chrome is simply stunning in its installation, perfection of scale and depth of luster. The paint, whether you choose Laurel Mist or Colonial Blue, is absolutely first class, rivaling the best I’ve seen from any manufacturer as do the badging and scripts: the BUICK name on the hood is spelled out in delicate raised foil lettering. Light lenses fore and aft are right up there with the best in the business…how wonderful to bid farewell to the familiar, disfiguring mounting posts!
Under the properly hinged hood, the B-58’s 364 ci V8 is intricately replicated with full wiring, plumbing and labeling. Chassis detail is likewise impressive, with working suspension and simulated heat fatigue on the exhaust system.
The doors are properly hinged, using a spring-loaded mechanism, allowing them to close tightly with a decisive snap. They open to a sumptuous interior with the luxurious leather and cloth seats faithfully reproduced, carpeting with front floor mats, door sills, intricately done chrome fittings and inlay on the door panels, a deeply detailed wheel and dash (even the under-dash tissue dispenser is there!), a finished headliner and working visors with vanity mirrors. Close inspection of the pedal cluster reveals the “Power Brake” labeling on the brake pedal. Glazing all around is notably clear and distortion-free (the model depicts a 2-door hardtop with the rear quarter window raised). The trunk lid opens to an authentically detailed storage area, including proper matting, the spare with jacking tools and a charming little set of luggage.
Other small but telling details include the valve stems on the wheels and the A/C stickers on the wraparound rear window. Of course, it’s always possible to point up little faults and inaccuracies: A fellow collector has noted whimsically that the grill’s DynaStar count is slightly off. The articulated wipers, intriguing in isolation, are really rather clunky and overscale and can now be said to fall under the “thanks, but no thanks” category (well-modeled, static wipers would be more welcome). And the steering wheel is perhaps a bit too thick. But the impeccable all-around fit and finish and the sheer command of the replica (no question of fudged scale here!) silences most criticism…at least from me.
Once again, the packaging for this new series deserves a special nod. The model is encased in a Styrofoam shell slipped into a glossy, full color box. The presentation includes a classy “Platinum” fob and a lovely reproduction of the Air Born B-58 Buick sales brochure. That all this is offered for just under $50 is remarkable. Kudos to Sun Star for a fabulous replica and a compelling new product line. Roll out the carpet now for the forthcoming ’58 Continental Mark III!
(06/13/2007)
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