The Riviera was born in 1963 as Buick’s new personal luxury car. It competed along with the Pontiac Grand Prix in that growing arena. A redesign came in 1971 and brought a whole new, fresh look to the car – a “boat tail” rear end that was a nod to the styling cues of the 1930s. The seller’s 1973 edition has that treatment downplayed and is still a beautiful two-owner survivor (sans one repaint). Located near Eureka, California, this low-mileage (65,000) example is looking for a new home for $35,000 here on craigslist. Our appreciation goes to T.J. for another great tip!
Going into the 1970s, Riviera sales were typically in the 40,000-unit-per-year range. But the boat tail treatment of 1971-72 may not have set well with buyers, and sales drifted south by 20% for the next few years. Hoping for a turnaround, the rear deck was de-emphasized in 1973, but sales held at 34,000. Meanwhile, over at Chevrolet, the Monte Carlo was scooping up buyers right and left, and it looked more like a Grand Prix/Chevelle Malibu combination.
This car’s name is Mimi after its original owner, “Aunt Mimi.” The seller may have had it for the past 19 years, treating her to a repaint in the factory color. With a stellar original interior, this automobile is said to have been in many car shows, sometimes being an award winner. A trunk-mounted stereo system was installed to make cruising around more enjoyable without modifying anything. Mother Nature and the passage of time have been kind to Mimi, who has been under a cover when not in use.
Mimi is a great running machine with a 455 cubic inch V8 and automatic transmission. A stainless exhaust should add to the quality of the car’s sound when idling and under acceleration. Because she hasn’t been used much of late, the gas may be old and in need of draining/replacing. With a little weekend tinkering, Mimi should be ready to shine once again. But it must be a chore cleaning the inside of the rear glass!
Eureka – my old Home Town! I thought this might be Rick’s old car,
but the seller states that they are the second owner,so I guess not.
Cutten’s a suburb of Eureka,Just South of it.
I’ve always liked Rick’s car,but not something I’d buy.I think he sold it
because the gas mileage wasn’t very good.
Can’t believe a seller would expect to sell something for $35,000 with a few pictures in a shed.
The seller made the effort to roll it back far enough to get a photo of the front, most sellers of building-bound vehicles don’t even go that far, it seems.
I count 23 photos in the Craigslist post.
Cleaning the rear window on the inside was a bear. So was waxing that hood!
I was getting my masters degree and my uncle gave me his 1971 Riv to use for a few months. What a car to open up on the country backroads. I was lucky in that he gave me a credit card to use for gas, too!
I would think the hood was longer on a ’69-72 grand prix. Today you never see anyone waxing their 4 door “modern cars” – even tho most have 1/4 the sheetmetal of big ’70s american cars. Heck, they won’t even WASH their own “cars” – or even check the oil !
A 455/400 drivetrain equals a lot of power and torque!!
Not by 1973
My grandparents had a 72, grandma told me every time a tire went around it made a sound: “bucket of gas, bucket of gas.” They still remembered it fondly 20 years after trading it.
I like this over the top Jerry Hirshberg design. A bit unexpected that he later went designing the understated late -80’s Nissan Maxima.
This is a whole lot of that tepid GM 70’s green. We called it “Old Lady Green.”
looking for 35k might be a bit of a stretch. no very good pics but sounds like you might be able work a deal with the seller if you had a pocket full of cash
That is one ugly Riviera
What makes sellers think that because it’s on BF they all of a sudden have a car that’s worth more than a Southerby auction quality car! These boattail Rivieras are cute and different but can be found for under $10k everywhere but here! Because most Buick folks (for $35k) a 70-72 GS 455 or a Gran National would be the car of choice, or if they really had to have a Riviera a 65 or 66 GS 425 2X4 would be the the ones looked for at $35k! C,mon, get real here, this is Barn Finds not Barrett Jackson!
I made the exact same comment but my comment was deleted.
It is a CRAIGSLIST post, not a Barn Finds auction or classifed listing. Barn Finds put it on here not the seller.
60 mph in park?
That is the speed alert needle. The speedometer needle is at zero. There is a very annoying buzzer that sounds when the sppedo needle goes above 60. You adjust it with a little knob on the dash.
Thanks!
Looks like 62.5 mph while in park. I guess that the speedo/odo may have an issue. Maybe they were shooting a movie. Always cracks me up where in the movies people in a car “driving” down the road and the shifter is in park. The view out the back glass shows attention to detail as far as real-estate disappearing through the back windows. But the car is still in park.
Those fuzzy dice look really out of place!
Yes,it NOT a 1957 Riviera!
Now I dont feel so bad for asking only $25k for my older classic after spending 2 years on new brakes, carb, pump, fuel and electrical and full tune up and replaced hoses. Its now running, driving and stopping. Also washed, buffed and waxed it too. 71-73 Riviera boat tails for $10-$15k are my favorite. But $35K in this condition, really?
35 grand ! lucky to get 10