When I bought my ’63 Riviera back in 2022, I joined the Riviera Owners Association (ROA). Although I’ve never been much of a joiner, several members of the club helped me out early on with parts and advice while I learned the nuances of my new-to-me dream ride (the ’63 Riviera is one of my favorite cars). As a member, I can also see the enthusiasm that many Riviera fans have for the controversial-at-the-time “Boattail,” which was produced from 1971 to 1973. A clean Boattail will always bring a decent price, and our friend T.J. found this one-owner original on craigslist in the Chicago area for $28,500. With only 46,373 miles, it might be a winner (if you like Boattails).
One thing you rarely have to worry about when buying any Riviera from the “golden age” is power. Even with emissions controls bearing down on it, the Riviera’s standard 455 still cranked out 250 (net) horsepower in 1973, good enough for a zero-to-60 time of 9.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 17.2 seconds at 82 miles per hour, according to a Motor Trend comparison test against the Thunderbird, Toronado, and Grand Prix. Those aren’t neck-snapping times, but they’re perfectly acceptable for a 5000-pound personal luxury car from 1973. Even with a relaxed 2.93:1 axle ratio, fuel mileage was unsurprisingly dismal: 10-11 miles per gallon.
The seller says that this car has always been garage-kept and that it has complete maintenance records going back to when it was new. Like most Rivieras by this time, it has air conditioning, although the advertisement doesn’t mention if it works or not. Considering that the belt is still attached, I’d say that the chances are better than average in this case.
The Boattail’s interior was luxurious in its ’70s idiom, with a coved instrument panel that was so much in vogue at the time. Full-size Buick floor mats with the tri-shield logo are among my favorites, and given the condition shown in the photographs, it could be 1973 all over again in here.
Although it could have used a pass with the car duster before these pictures were taken, it’s clear that this is a beautiful Riviera, with its Buick Rally wheels and Riviera-only “Burnt Coral” paint. The “boat tail” rear end was toned down a touch for 1973 in an effort to make the car appeal to a wider audience, but sales were still way down from their 1969 peak of 52,872 units (only 34,080 were sold in 1973). These days, that wild styling is much appreciated by those who enjoy Rivieras, so this one shouldn’t be on the market long.
The only way this beauty could be better, was to have been ordered with the buckets/console, and that cool shifter! GLWTS!! :-)
I hear ya Moparman. I love these Rivs, who doesn’t. I find the column shift here somehow suits this brownish Riv well. Thanks for the gear ⚙️ specs and writeup Toth. The 2.93 ratio seems an ideal choice for this cars intended duties.
Love the boat tail, the color, the road wheels, but that front bumper is a whopper
I like this. All the ’70s land yachts I’ve ever owned were these colors. Love the wheels, 455, boat tail. I like these even better in green, but this is nice.
I’ve driven a 72 and was amazed at the power in spite of its weight. With positraction, those rear tires lit up real easy!
Just a wonderful road car. Even the big bumpers of the 73 blended well with the total styling. A nice one like this appears to be, is getting harder to find.
COPY MOPARMAN, ifI were noso happy looking for a great Grand Wagoneer this would be good one for me.
Aaron’s comment on gas mileage takes me back to 1967-72 era. The treasurer of Cessna’s Marketing Division drove up in his new Riveria and we all gathered ’round to ooh & aah. I asked what the gas mileage was and his reply was, if you have to ask, you can’t afford the car.
Gas was very cheap then.
My father-in-law helped design and build these 455.4 engines. To this day, he can sit in a GM car, especially with this engine, and just listen to them, telling you exactly what is wrong with them. Same with the suspension if he is riding in the car. This is the reason I always wanted one. I have the master builder in house now!
My step brother has a dark blue over white bucket seat 73. He’s had it since the 80s, bit it’s outside and needs plenty. Love the big Rivs.
MOPARMAN & STAN: Years ago, I did a lot of junkyarding. When I finally bought my ’73 Riviera, already had the console and shifter and steering column. What a heartbreaker it was when I discovered the floorshift and buckets weren’t available with the oxblood (maroon) interior my car had. One advantage to the column shift, before the advent of interval wipers, Buick placed a button on the end of the shift selector to activate the wipers to make a sweep of the windshield, called pulse wipers. I installed the system on my car, even called for a different wiper motor than normal.
MOPARMAN & STAN: cont’d – Although the car was pretty loaded from the factory, I added every option I came across. Convenience center storage; speed alert and trip odometer; rear window defogger; light monitors (for front fenders); low fuel indicator light; power mast radio antenna; lighted vanity mirror; electric trunk release; Max-Trac anti-lock brake system; rear stabilizer bar from Gran Sport; four note horn system.
Sounds a treat scottymac 👍
Scottymac: I did the same thing with my ’74 Challenger. Added the Rally cluster, dual quad exhaust tips/w OEM valence, T/A spoiler, “flip-top” gas cap. If it was an OEM part that I didn’t have, but could get, then, I got it!! I was also a “junkyard crawler” as well!! :-)
I’m waiting for TCK or Rick W to say something about the 1972 Cadillac next to it. It’s in my favorite color and one of my favorite years.
My ’72 Riv was in teal mint green with a black interior. It too had the bench seat with the column shift.
It would smoke the rear tires even at 30 mph. Loved that car! Ladies, don’t let your husband drive your classic. Photo above.
My ’70 & ’71 had the bucket seats, console and cool shifter. Especially the ’70.
After Cadillacs these are my favorite cars. Sexy, stylish, sporty as well as luxurious. And fast. Get a GS and you’ve got wings.
I agree with Mopar Man 100 percent
I think the rear bumper was less pronounced due to federal bumper requirements–not to appease the buying public. The dramatic rear window/trunk area stayed the same but the license plate/gas filler moved to the middle of the rear bumper from the left side. Still love the boat tails all the same. Back in 2001, I found a 72 with less than 9,600 miles on it with the original bias ply tires. I bought new radials but kept the bias ply tires. I couldn’t believe how the car handled with the radials. The difference was day and night. It broke my heart to hit 10k
I had a 73 GS …It was the nicest riding car I’ve ever had …
Dusty certainly the GS model was icing on the cake 🎂
Nice one the 455with 400 trans = a lot of torque and power!!
The 73 Riviera was my favorite year of the Boattails. Great sweeping lines that looks like it’s going 100 mph while sitting still. The 455 was no slouch, despite emissions efforts. This is one of the nicest that I’ve seen in a while.