1979 Buick Riviera gets pimped, Atari-style

Predating the carputer by easily two decades (not counting KITT, of course), this '79 Buick Riviera would have clearly elevated you to alpha status in your elementary school. Featuring what appears to be a Sears Atari 2600 clone and a 13-inch CRT with a custom fake-ice RIVIERA logo, there's no wonder Kevin, the owner, says this whip is his "absolute pride and joy." Check a couple more shots after the break.

[Via CarDomain Blog]

[Javi0084 @ Oct 12th 2007 9:24PM]

The CD player ruined it.

[Fernando @ Oct 12th 2007 9:34PM]

word

[bob @ Oct 12th 2007 9:44PM]

It should be a CED player instead.

[RWD fan @ Oct 12th 2007 9:57PM]

Amen

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Oct 12th 2007 9:59PM]

@Javi0084
totally

[Chris @ Oct 12th 2007 10:22PM]

"It should be a CED player instead."

I think 8-track would be more apropos.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Oct 13th 2007 12:56AM]

I highly disagree though slightly agree with you.

1) The player he used is not vintage.
2) Should he decide to install a CD player it shall be a vintage 1982 Sony CDP-101 that is about the same age as the (Circa '82) Sears Atari and TV. They show up on ebay for about $10.
3) Alternatively, a Sony D-50 from 1984 could be substituted. But don't expect those to survive road bumps very well. Grrll-grabblesslsssszzzzz...the beat goes...bzzzzzzdd..on.

http://www.cedmagic.com/history/sony-cdp-101.html

[Sir.Byrd @ Oct 13th 2007 1:51AM]

Laserdisc.

[Mii @ Oct 13th 2007 6:27AM]

I disagree, an 8 track just wouldn't have been pimp in 1981, on the other hand successfully convincing your un-belted passenger to load the cutting-edge 12" CED cartridge into a glove mount player then tweaking the fine tune on channel 3 is priceless.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Oct 13th 2007 6:31AM]

Some cars like the late 1960's Mercury Comet had spring mounted record (LP) players in the trunk as a factory option.

[joey @ Oct 12th 2007 9:43PM]

it should have been concealed in the glove compartment

[Samo @ Oct 12th 2007 9:45PM]

But does it play Doom? (I'll get my coat)

Not being bad or nothing, but that sure looks like it's built for the enjoyment of the driver... When would the driver be playing this? It may be a bit uhmm, *dangerous* to play & drive, no? Even if the side passenger plays it, how can the driver resist diverting his attention from the game (asuming it beeps and everything)?

[CaptCaveman @ Oct 12th 2007 11:13PM]

The last thing that anyone is going to want to look at is the Atari 2600 version of Pac-Man. If anything it helps keep his eyes looking straight ahead.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Oct 13th 2007 12:58AM]

Fine comment, but the doom part killed it. (Bump me up).

[Nathan @ Oct 12th 2007 9:56PM]

He should have saved his legroom and installed this in the back seat. Not like anyone is going back there any time soon.

[HaX80r @ Oct 12th 2007 10:58PM]

"YES! I beat that level!"
*screeech* *CRASH!*
"I'm sorry officer, I was looking at my Atari"

And an 8-track would be appropriate. However, considering I still have my 8-track, next to the CB.....

[Dave @ Oct 12th 2007 11:38PM]

For those who don't look closely or know what an 8-track looks like, there is a factory 8-track in the dash. It's easiest to see in the 2nd pic from the bottom.

[Tavis Veighey @ Oct 13th 2007 12:46AM]

Nice work. And best of all it is the ORIGINAL version of the Atari 2600!

[Yubastard @ Oct 13th 2007 6:06AM]

my friend has one of these! (one of two in Puerto Rico)

I gotta email him this! he's gonna freak out! :)

Atari?? a TV with dials?!?!? WTF?? *feak-out!*

[bossmsx @ Oct 13th 2007 6:59AM]

I liked the Buick Rivieras that were released beginning in 1986. *Those* were among the first to have a touchscreen from which you controlled the Radio and AC. For some reason (early touchscreens were unreliable?? Old Buick Fogie users didn't like them?) Buick reverted back to traditional radio/ACs in Rivieras in the early 90s.

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 13th 2007 8:28AM]

Look if he's got Adventure or Pitfall 2 I'm in.

[AKBlade13 @ Oct 13th 2007 12:09PM]

People people. 8-Track..are you crazy?

It's all about the Vinyl baby. That's what it should have had. Either than that...by all means it's perfect.

AKBlade13

[rento @ Oct 13th 2007 5:43PM]

No way, the cd player is fine bt it should have been out of sight. Great job for the Atari, love it.

[gmbowen @ Oct 13th 2007 5:44PM]

People people people.

If you want hi-fidelity in a moving vehicle you have to go with a reel-to-reel tape deck. 8-track had quite low sound quality because of the compression, as did cassette tapes of that era. Clearly a reel-to-reel deck installed in the glove box on a slide-out platform is what is necessary for the best vintage audio experience in a vintage automobile.

[jack @ Oct 13th 2007 9:56PM]

anyone else think the car should be mint green? (and i'm looking specifically for due south fans here)

[TT @ Oct 15th 2007 4:27AM]

Remember - it's not "Buick Riviera" - but "Riviera by Buick"....as heard on the Price is Right and Card Shark game shows of the 1980s.....

[Sirocco @ Oct 15th 2007 2:27AM]

Well,it's about time! Not since I installed an 8-track in my Gremlin has there been so much excitement on the block.