For the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the flame was transported from Greece by United Airlines to New York. From there, beginning May 8, 1984, and for approximately 80 days thereafter, the flame would be carried by thousands of runners for thousands of miles across America, arriving in Los Angeles on July 28th for the opening ceremonies. Buick was with the flame every stride of the way providing a total of 32 lead and support vehicles.

As the Torch passed through the different areas of the country, the runner was led by a *special* 1984 Buick Riviera Convertible. There were also 2 *special* 1985 Buick Electra's in this procession. Now this was not your everyday go down to your local Buick dealer and purchase a 1984 Rivera Convertible off the showroom floor, no sir. This *special* Convertible was uniquely painted with Torch Relay striping and endowed with what Buick engineers called " Parade Driveability".

This special capability enabled it to travel non-stop over great distances at a torturously slow pace of 2 to 10 miles per hour, 12,000 miles, 24-hours per day. A new high capacity electrical charging system was required because the Convertible was equipped with a CB radio, Ham radio, police FM radio, caution lights and flood lights. The engineers agreed that this was an even more formidable task than preparing vehicles to speed along at over 120 mph, such as the two that speeding around the track at Indy fast enough to qualify for that years 500 race.

There were more than 65 modifications made by Buick Special Products Engineering that allowed the Convertible to have smooth operation regardless of incline, road conditions, altitude or passenger load. For example, sustained idling at low speed creates cooling problems. There was a major balance problem between the charging and cooling systems. To get around this BSPE used a computer with electric fan cooling. This created a tremendous amount of energy through the fan, in this case a 300-watt system split between 2 fans controlled by the computer.

To maintain precise low-speed operation, BSPE devised a hand held box with a rocker switch. The computer replaced the manual throttle control, regulating constant engine RPM and working only at zero to 12 mph. The Convertible was also equipped with a special Harrison Radiator with a big dual fan system from Rochester Products. Also used was a Delco Remy experimental high-density lightweight battery that was no bigger than a standard battery.

Buick, American Engineering at its best! 

I would like to speak with anyone that may have worked on this project, someone from BSPE. George M. Claypole, Butch Beckman or Dan Nicholson.
If you know them or perhaps read this yourself, please drop me an email. I would very much like to get more info on the special vehicles you and your
group created. Any type of documentation or photographs we can use on the site and your own special perspective.

I am looking for the following people that took photographs that appeared in the Inside Buick Magazine;
Kelley Petroskey, Randy Edmonds and Dave Smith. Or anyone else that may have taken photos during these events.
If you know them or perhaps read this yourself, please drop me an email.

Following her huge success at the 1984 Olympics, Mary Lou Retton returned to her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia and was met by the State with a celebration and parade. Below are never before published photos of Mary Lou.  These photos were taken as she departed her plane at the local airport. The Parade Marshal was, of course, driven in a Riviera Convertible.

Mary Lou Retton, Olympic Gold Metal Winning Gymnast 

Parade Marshal Paul Long