The third-generation Buick Riviera is one of those cars that seems to have no middle ground, as most people either embrace the look or don’t like it. That back window and boat-tail styling was a pretty far-out design, which was introduced for the 1971 model and ran through 1973. Sales in ’71 fell to below 33,810, the lowest up to that point, and for the ’73 model, the rear end was even blunted and made a bit shorter. This change only led to a slight increase in sales, with 34,080 cars sold in 1973, and for 1974 the fourth-generation Riviera was re-designed with a more conventional-looking body. If you’re into the third-generation scene and have been in the market for a nice example, this 1973 Buick Riviera might be worth checking out. It’s located in Titusville, Florida, and can be seen here on eBay with the current bid sitting at $11,100.
The story goes that the seller purchased this Riviera more than 6 years ago from the estate of its original owner, and was last registered in 1980 before he acquired it, plus it’s said to have been kept inside a garage its entire life when not being driven. The body is believed to have had one respray at some point, and while that finish still has most of its shine, there were some small spots painted with an improperly matched color. There are also multiple chips and scratches, but less than a handful of dings smaller than the size of a dime.
Inside, things are stated to be in good original condition, and the seller points out that his Riviera has the rare option of bucket seats with a console and floor-mounted shifter between them. The original AM/FM/8-Track radio is still in the dash along with the original speakers, which are all said to be functioning properly, so you’d better hit up your local thrift store and pick up some tunes on 8-Track that were popular in ’73! Jim Croce, anyone?
The engine is said to run smoothly with plenty of get-up-and-go power. When the current owner first began driving the car, the lifters were noisy, but he says after a couple of oil changes that now the noise only occurs occasionally for a couple of seconds when the car is first started after sitting day a day or two. There’s also a very minor leak from one of the exhaust manifolds, which a new gasket should take care of. The car has recently had numerous new parts installed and also comes with several additional new parts included.
Not a single drop of fluid is said to come from underneath when the car is parked, and things are definitely looking pretty dry under there, plus there’s also a Walker factory-correct exhaust system down below from the manifolds back with resonator eliminators. What are your thoughts on this 1973 Buick Riviera?
Cool! Only needs a set of white wall tires, and a little TLC to make this “Time In A Bottle” car really pop! GLWTA!! :-)
i used to have this exact car. same color. same options. identical.
i wish i had never sold it.
i used to have this exact car. same color. same options. same everything. i think there were only a few hundred painted that color in 73. it looks gold but the actual color is midnight silver…
I like it. Is it me or does the rear look to be riding high up than other Rivieras?
Keep it hidden from the guy is Vegas that does the Counting Cars program. He has a tendency to ‘modify’ them tremendously.
I like the car the way it is.
Nice car that looks to be in great shape.
Never cared for the body side molding though…
I want to transform it into an oversized 63 vette.
You know what the head of GM design, Bill Mitchell said?
I know that it looks a little bit eccentric but that’s what happens when you build a Corvette the size of a Cadillac.
@Zuul. I had a ’71 and a ’72. Just like you I wish I had never sold them.
@PaulG. The body side mounding was added to the ’72 and ’73. The ’71 never had it. It’s easy enough to remove… it’s only glued on
Sickle shifter??? :)
From what has been posted on Barn Finds, evidently, you have had every car that’s been featured!
Maybe, she’s one of the sharpest gals I’ve heard from. Takes a lot of “chutzpah” to converasate with us grumbly old men. Like me, I believe her dad did a lot with cars. My daughter could probably write a Hollywood hack on all the cars she’s seen.
As a former owner of multiple 60s, 70s, and 80s GM vehicles, I call BS on functioning original speakers. And why did a garage kept vehicle need a respray?
With the way Buick toned down the rear end for ’73, it’s more of a dinghy-tail than a boat-tail.
This looks to be a very nice car. I personally like the engine turned dash on the 71s and 72s better – but this still cool.
Everybody refers to swirl design as “engine turned” when the original description of that treatment started in the watch industry.
On watches made in the 1800s through today, the makers wanted the movement to stand out and they applied a method called “damascening.”
The decorative process was added to the bridge of the movement and this would indicate an upscale movement. Movements with jeweled bearings
(7 to 23 jewels) would usually be damascened.
When the automotive industry wanted their luxury cars to stand out they damascened surfaces.
My 64 Goat had a damascened dash and 62 through 64 SS Impalas used this process extensively on the exteriors as well.
Don’t break the rear glass, $$$$, if you could find one???
Something not quite right with the “thumbs up” button. Every time I add my thumbs up the score of “Likes” goes up by from 2 to 7.
Some sort of British “conversion”, perhaps? Sounds good to me, I like all your posts, cheerio, mate!
Thanks Howard. Today it’s back to working normally. Keep your great stories coming Pal.
I have a 1973 Buick Riviera. Bought 3 years ago. On pick up of the car in Michigan. I checked the obvious on a Rustbelt car. The underside was much cleaner than most vehicles of this age. On the 50 miles drive home. All seemed right. When I got home I discovered that the engine had consumed a gallon of antifreeze, a quart of oil & a full 25 gallons of gas. From August to next spring. Windows working now as the should. Those huge doors had dropped & made the rolling up of windows difficult. Windshield wipers inoperative. Replaced motor & switch got them working till last month on the first day after sitting since Christmas. The battery went dead. Thanks to AAA replaced battery. The leaking heater core was replaced. Radio worked on strong local channels with the volume turned all the way up. The factory wheels were rusted. I tried cleaning them up. Nope too pitted. I could go on about multiple attempts to carjack me as I drove around town. I replaced the Carb & Distributor with a tune-up too. Those problems with hesitation cleared up. I have tried before the pandemic to get a larger garage built. My garage is a foot short to hold a 19 feet long garage. I did get an area for the new garage addition leveled gravel. The price for the Garage went from $10,000 to $25,000 plus cement. So I started a pole barn framing. Oh well. I guess I should be happy with my long search for a 73 Riviera started when I rode in a Riviera at my cousin’s wedding. 46 plus years & I am ready to sell. I am so tired of fixing all those little things. I can’t find a place to align the front end after the shims fell out. Interior need to be redone due to stitching letting go in seats. What is a 1973 Buick Rivera worth? Make a offer?
@Steve Clinton
To whom are you referring?
Oh, oh, I had a feeling that was going to hit a nerve,,,don’t let it bother you, ( yeah, like I should talk), I like all your posts too, gives a female perspective ( along with CC’s) that this site sorely needs. Some men( possibly, um, we’ll call him S. Clinton,,,,no wait, that’s too obvious, let’s call him, Steve C) just can’t accept the fact a woman just might have more experiences than them. Just ask MY daughter about that. She’s ridden in a Packard, a Peterbilt, a Diamond T, not to mention all the crazy motorized gizmos, lawn mowers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, like my daughter, who could probably operate anything mechanical, I know where your roots are or you wouldn’t be here. Peace,,dear.
Well, Steve Clinton, and I’m being obvious, never answered my question, so I’ll assume he was talking about me with my owning a ’71 & ’72 Riv.
I’m sorry you feel that way, Steve, but honestly, I don’t give a 💩.
Thanks, Howard
I love it! If I only had $14k to spend.
@Todd Young……
With all the problems you describe, I’ll buy that for a $1.
Hello everyone.
I have a ’73 Buick Riviera Boattail.
Rustproof and runs very well. Greetings from Germany.