American automakers in the 1980s were riding high on fat profits but producing some pretty lackluster cars. Though, there were always a few bright spots.
Technology was really starting to come into bloom, too, and equipment like air bags and the death of the carburetor became commonplace. However, Buick was pretty darn early to the game when it came to a commonplace feature today: touchscreens.
Nearly every new car features a touchscreen unit to control HVAC or at least multimedia functions. In the 1980s, though, that was not the case. Knobs and buttons prevailed. In some cases—*eh hem, CUE*—we wish they still did. Autoweek happened to stumble upon a 1989 Buick Riviera left to die in a junkyard and noticed the model was actually a rarity: it was equipped with the early touchscreen unit.
After scraping up the necessary equipment to hopefully make the unit work once again, it’s back in one piece. However, seeing if it will work outside of the vehicle will be a different story. Head to Autoweek to see all the photos and the full details on this marvelous piece of technology from the 1980s.
Comments
The 1989-92 Oldsmobile Trofeo also had this touch screen option.
Yeah, a few of these mid to late 80’s and early 90’s GM vehicles had these CRT screens. The Buick Reatta, Riviera, and Olds Trofeo are three I can recall. These were pretty awesome and considered well ahead of their time; although they were considered quite difficult to use. Just as many modern touchscreen cars feature today. The cycle continues! Lol!
My mom rented a 87 Buick Rivera to take my date to the high school prom.
(Yep, we were fancy!)
It had the touch screen unit in it and was actually pretty functional.
Good times back then!
A millennial/helicopter parent combo ahead of his time!!
Just kidding – nice of your mom.
My mom was like, ‘where you goin, all dressed up?’
No Rivvy for me.
I had forgotten about this. (Forgot about the Trofeo too–cool car.)
The linked article would be a lot more interesting if the guy actually did something with the unit, though.
The auto writers bashed it like much of GM’s ahead of its time stuff like HUD’s. When foreign companies did it later the press loved it. The anti GM Bias was horrible.
Well this technology was nice but like much of the GM tech of the era it was a little ahead of its time.
Like the 8-6-4 and other tech the concept was leading edge but the technology of the day left it difficult to make reliable at a low cost.
Most of the cars had dash failure as time went on and left cars that were still drivable not functioning inside.
Finding replacement parts in good condition are difficult and if good too expensive for the car they were for.
GM in the 80’s often did leading edge stuff that just did not have the electronics to back it up like today’s computer systems.
It is good to see today’s post bail out GM has gotten their tech and hardware to support it on an even level.
My new GMC is so well sorted on the info system and like most reviews one of the best out there today. I await what they bring next as I trust them today yo better support what the bring based on present electronics.
Even over my 2012 GMC the 2017 is much better sorted.
I have a 89 Rivera 65 thousands miles any takers
I seem to remember this being offered on the old bodystyle 1985 Riviera as an initial run but very few were produced.
My 1989 Riviera has 235,784 miles, and they can’t print enough money to buy it. NOT For SALE !!