Nothing says the mid-seventies like brawny bodies, big bumpers, and brown. Say hello to Buick’s Riviera entry for 1974. The lith, chiseled, and wind-swept lines of the ’66-’69 Riv were gone, as was the cool boattail styling employed in ’71 and ’72. Nope, this is a big, old, two-door coupe that could just as easily be confused with a LeSabre. Sure, it has bucket seats, two doors, and a big V8 engine but it’s packing 4,700 lbs. spread over a total stretch of 226 inches, squarely putting this Famous Flyer from Flint in whammer-jammer territory. This top-drawer Buick is located in Seabrook, Texas and is available, here on craigslist for $12,900. Thanks to Tony P. for this tip!
There’s really nothing that’s not imposing about this Buick Riviera. Perhaps it would be more ouvert if it were finished in red but anyway that you cut it, this Buick exudes stolidity. It’s claimed to have only experienced 57K miles and it shows beautifully – and the lack of a vinyl roof covering, especially a silly landau half-covering, is a welcome respite from what was typical fare in this era. There’s no sign of rust, parking lot mayhem, or worse; and the Buick road wheels perk up an otherwise subdued presentation.
The first thing that crossed my mind, well maybe it was the second thing, when I spied that engine compartment is how tight a fit it is. It’s a 455 CI V8 engine, hardly diminutive, but it’s a cavernous engine room too and I imagine when you’re fiddling on something with a 9/16 open-end wrench, there’s a good chance that when you drop it, it’s not going to fall through. The seller tells us that it, “runs and drives great” but with only 230 net HP on tap, and considering this car’s size, I imagine that acceleration is probably smooth but leisurely. A three-speed automatic transmission was the only gearbox game in town for this rear-wheel driver.
The interior’s condition is a pleasant surprise. Often white, or ivory, has a tendency to yellow with age and the leather seating surfaces will crack and immediately reveal trapped dirt. But that’s not the case here, the interior is as clean as a whistle. The bucket seats and center console are optional and a very nice addition. The instrument panel, which is in fine shape, is a bit cheap looking for a car of this stature but the driver’s side wrap-around dash adds a touch of distinction.
This Riviera is one of about 20K assembled in ’74, down considerably from ’73’s output of 34K copies. Some of that reduction is probably due to styling changes while the ’73 oil embargo and the resulting higher fuel prices likely shooed some buyers away. Nevertheless, this is one of those get them while they’re still available cars. Big V8-powered, two-door, rear-wheel drive coupes have all but disappeared – regardless of the manufacturer, so here’s your chance. What do you think, interested?
Those of you who have played several of the Grand Theft Auto games will recognize this car as the Idaho…
1974: The year the Riviera became ordinary.
No special rear window hurts desire for car not being a boat tail
I always loved the Rivera, and this one is in great condition. It’s a perfect car for someone to cruise around it, working a/c, very nice overall condition. While not particularly collectible, it is a deal.
Big Block Brown Buick Riviera.
If I was anywhere close to this car, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
Forget about collectability for a second, as its always a matter of opinion, and at some point, everything is a collectable. That car is a magnificent beast. For whatever you want to say about build quality of that era, Buicks like this were as good as anything anywhere. Barring the passage of 50 years, parts are available. You can enjoy this car pretty much guilt free.
I like these Rivz’ I have been obsessed with them since I was a kid. These being different from Her Sister’s. She is Very Buxom and I find it endearing She is kitted with the Go Fast Buckets and Console Option…if I had the cash I would buy Her.
Vanilla! Nothing special here.
1 year body style, very unique.
3 years–74-76
No longer looking as special as any from a decade earlier but she ain’t no LeSabre. Nice looking rig with great features and in good shape. I would even venture that that’s Firemist paint.
Yuppers that’s a Riverboat
Having had a ’70, ’71 & 72, there’s really nothing exciting about this car. The only thing it’s got going for it is the bucket seats and console.
The 455 was detuned even more so you’re not smokin’ tires. From the windshield back, just blah.
Pass.
After that boat tail what do you do for an encore. As it’s been said many times every reg in the world came down at the same time. It was a rough period to be building cars.
In today’s crazy money I think it’s fairly priced for the overall condition. If it were back in the day I would buy the car because of the options some people cheaped-out on, like buckets and console and electric door locks. I actually did not notice whether it had driver’s electric seat, but would be nice if it had that too. Also it has right sideview mirror which wasn’t always there back then either. Didn’t look closely enough at the radio head, but it’s definitely the one that goes in the car. Nothing worse looking than a modern sound system installed in the dash. So it’s good. Drawbacks? Some wouldn’t like the fact of the missing cabriolet vinyl roof, but I like it this way. It doesn’t have tempmatic auto-a/c or cornering lamps. I still like it.
To reply to sixone, I looked at the car on Craigslist and it has dual power seats, and yes, factory radio. I, too, hate these aftermarket radios.
I also learned the hard way about substituting aftermarket speakers for factory ones. 4 ohm aftermarkets with an amp made for 10 ohm will overheat the radio. Before I knew this, I always wondered why my radios were always hot to touch. I only learned this when I bought 10 ohm rear speakers for my Cutlass and the seller had this long article attached to his items explaining this.
For interested buyers, my ’73 Riviera 455 averaged 9mpg on a long road trip.
And 6 mph around town
73’ was last year for boattail.
Ford had much more beautiful offerings in 1974. GM really went to pot this year as others have said
Front end looks riviera. The rest of it looks more LeSabre than anything. Still a good looking car and somebody took good care of it. Not sure that it’s worth quite that much but I would guess 10 grand wouldn’t be a bad asking price. Be a great cruiser though nice and comfortable
And to add to my previous comment, if I like what I’m driving, I will pay the price for gas I don’t care what it is. Just can’t find this kind of comfort anymore.
Agreed. If you have to worry about price of gas PLEASE do not look for big block cruisers. My dad had a 1972, 455, Buick Electra 225(deuce & a quarter). We could watch the gas gauge drop as we rode. I drove it to my girlfriend’s after high school(graduated at 16) and put gas in it every time since she was 30 miles away.
I always drove at least one big American cruiser. My first car? 1963 Olds Ninety Eight with power windows. Car spoiled me forever on big cruisers. I had a 1954 Pontiac Chieftain, Flathead, straight 8. Biggest & heaviest car. From sitting in the backseat it is was impossible to touch the front seat.
Had a few hot rods as part of my 40+ cars over the years. Never had less than 2 at a time. NEVER.
Davey Boy……. you must not live in California, Los Angeles to be exact where gas right now is $7.50 a gallon!
Normally I would agree with you and I don’t care how much gas is, I want a big comfortable cruiser, but $7.50 gives me pause.
at 3:54am
In today’s crazy money I think it’s fairly priced for the overall condition. If it were back in the day I would buy the car because of the options some people cheaped-out on, like buckets and console and electric door locks. I actually did not notice whether it had driver’s electric seat, but would be nice if it had that too. Also it has right sideview mirror which wasn’t always there back then either. Didn’t look closely enough at the radio head, but it’s definitely the one that goes in the car. Nothing worse looking than a modern sound system installed in the dash. So it’s good. Drawbacks? Some wouldn’t like the fact of the missing cabriolet vinyl roof, but I like it this way. It doesn’t have tempmatic auto-a/c or cornering lamps. I still like it.
Reminds me a lot of my dad’s two olds 98s. They were huge comfortable boats that gulped gas and burned rubber till you lifted your foot off the pedal. Just terrific automobiles. Love to have a Riv like this or any older Riv. Yeah, good idea, I don’t care if gas is six bucks a gallon.
The interior color you see is not white but what GM referred to as neutral. Beige seats with a taupe dash, shelf and carpet. Very attractive with a multitude of colors, especially those that would have clashed with regular blue, green or red.
Well rather sedate looking but love the interior! Floor shifted turbo 400 with a 455 to hot up & won’t cost a bundle! I’m so close to getting on my soap box preaching why I need this car & how I could make it a stage 1 & how much fun it would be for chicken feed ! But I guess I’ll save myself the embarrassment & catch the next full size missle for sale! Just think how this car could be made into a low budget lounge ! It’s got all the right stuff! Help!