Autos: The Thundering Herd

Ever since Ford introduced its highly successful four-seater Thunderbird in 1958, Detroit has been speculating on when General Motors would bring out a competitor. Buick ended the speculation last week when it unwrapped its big-fendered Riviera hardtop, which is firmly dedicated to the G.M. principle that if you have to join 'em, beat 'em. The Riviera is 3 in. longer than the Thunderbird, sports a more powerful engine, and has a steering wheel that tilts to seven different vertical adjustments, while Thunderbird's wheel only bends to the side to ease entry and...

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