Here is the article I found - translation by Google
For over a century, Buick has had a tremendous influence on the course of American automotive history, its triumphant heritage covering engineering and design through innovations in style and technological advances.
Claiming major breakthroughs in many related milestones in the industry through the visionary influence of internationally renowned designer Harley Earl, Buick enjoys a rich heritage that is inextricably linked to the evolution of the American automobile.
Buick was the first brand to equip its cars with a tachometer, electric windows and, for its convertibles, an automatic hood. Buick has helped define an avant-garde American car design.
This, what these people were absolutely right in their wrongs ... because, in addition to what it is and appears to be, the Buick Riviera "Opera Coupe", to demonstrate to the absurd it is to Has a complete documentation, factory booklet, two manuals (English and French) of use, as well as an abundant photographic documentation concerning the whole 0f its transformation ...
Totally modified by me during an obsessive crisis of "nonsense" passion ... this Buick Riviera, famous for the occasion "Buick Riviera Opera Coupe", has become a unique car in the world, estimated by most crapadingues of Various specialists in Dantesque lucubrations, even asserting that it was a kind of revival in the art of anything ...
This is destined for future generations who might find themselves confronted with this work!
The more time passes, the more people seem to me mean. Not everyone, but a lot ... The rudeness seems general, the skills are those of buyers of pates for dogs ... People swear by some big brands whose values are thus artificially mounted ... The majority however unable to acquire d Old Ferrari and / or Mercedes, then they fall back on Fiat badges Ferrari and / or on starry taxis ... To this little game of absurdities, it is not rare to see a Fiat Dino advertised at the same price as a A rare Mercedes taxi 200D announced more expensive than a splendid Maserati Quattroporte and / or an Aston Martin Lagonda ... Which leads other crazy to announce insipid Trabant at the price of a MGB ...
I am not disappointed by my cars, I am disappointed by people ... All are not so, but more and more do not appreciate the real craftsmanship, rarity, real creation that are cars of very small series ... , Including single cars! I am more and more stunned in front of human simulations, bad faith of people, and their morbid need to do their business on the backs of others ... especially when it is on mine! Not even for things that would be worth their trouble, but for infamous ironworks and piggeries, starry taxis and double beans on wheels ... People are Panurge's sheep ... Whatever I do, I make it go, I finally get used to Smile, it costs nothing ...
Imported new in Belgium, it was sold to an industrialist specialized in fruits and vegetables in boxes ...
Before starting this piece of anthology, a few words of explanation on this Buick Riviera 1992. After six years, this businessman sold it to a dealer in second-hand cars and collectors based in Essen, near Antwerp-Antwerpen, which was then well known as an importer of Clénet for the " The whole of Europe. Nearly all the Clénet who circulated in Europe came from his home, Van Lammeren, his name. Neither more nor less honest than others, not knowing how to read or write, just scribbling his name and checks, he had the infused science of commerce and earned a lot of money (Belgian and largely black), what To buy a castle and quantities of buildings to convert into real estate.
My father had offered a used Cadillac Seville in 1991 and in 1998 it was pulled to the stop by a bus, he then asked me to find him another American. Having heard about Van Lammeren from Essen-België, I discovered this Buick Riviera in his showroom and my father dealt with him for 160.000 Belgian Francs (4.000 Euros) ...
My father was very happy with the Buick Riviera until 2001, when his 82 years of age, or his declining health in addition to poor diagnoses, forced him to no longer be able to drive his Buick Riviera, 'Then confided. The interior was very "American", while red leather "burgundy" very "kitsch" ... The exterior was starting to date design question ...
With my experience of nascent cover extension of the "rich English" did I resolved to do the same again ... Driven by the idea of overturning the relation of the man-automobile to space, I had to reinvent the rules of design ... From the outset it was infinitely simpler than for the Bentley T, since the Buick Riviera was a front-wheel drive!
By cutting the entire car in the first quarter rear wings before (you will follow more easily by looking at the pictures) and then "stretched" the car of the circumference of a tire it is then enough to Toler and blow up ... The car being a monocoque, the reinforcements of the cutting line were made of sheet metal with the addition of tubes and joists along the entire length of the wheelbase.
A fake "third-hood" was then carried to the back of the original cover, giving access to a second trunk. Nothing was dismantled during the works ..., engine, box, train, radiators etc ... The cost of this extension was about 5,000 Euros, including complete repainting.
The spare wheels were a single rim cut in 2, including the tire ...
The only difficulty was to find two covers "with chrome spokes" identical to the car ... 4, 400 euros VAT and transportation included from California ... The car came back to me at 5,400 euros of transformation costs and 600 euros of expenses of various repairs (air conditioning, brakes and power steering pump, as well as a complete maintenance) ..., or 6.000 euros! I was able to drive almost daily with this car from 2001 to 2003.
Having traced Europe on board, a leading witness of the human and inhuman reactions ..., I can write here that society has always feared the crazy avant-gardists ..., certain that they break the certainties, destabilize the established powers and Do not make any profit ...
A former friend of my father made an offer to him at the end of 2003 which allowed him to return more or less in his expenses.
It was a very creative adventure.
