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The C-bodied Buicks were all-new in 1949, and debuted the porthole engine vents and, on late-year Roadmaster Convertibles and Rivieras, the sweep spear side molding; Buick hallmarks for most of the next decade. The Riviera itself debuted in '49 as Buick's first hardtop.
FM has produced both Convertible and Riviera Roadmasters. Our esteemed leader, Jay Olins, in his review of FM's recent '49 Cadillac Coupe Deville, opines that this replica blows those of its C-bodied cousins into the weeds. But if three years of modeling evolution are taken into account, the Buicks are, well, acceptable. The Riviera, with its similar color scheme and identical roof styling, is most primed for comparison to the Caddy, and comes out least favorably (rear window execution is in a lesser league). Proportions seem generally correct, though the grill shell is a little too rounded. Exterior chrome is crisp and fits well. The downside here is the door fit, alignment and gap being second-rate on every example I've seen. The interior, too, lacks refinement, with dash instruments represented by silver stickers, and nothing very redeeming elsewhere.
The novel Buick hood opening of the era is neatly replicated via hinges on its RH side (footnote: the hood actually hinged from either side, and was thus readily removable!). The Fire Ball inline o.h.v. 8 is nicely modeled, and replete with essential plumbing, wiring and labels. The issue price is $120.
(09/14/1998)
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