Update 3/10/22 – Supposedly the high bidders have flaked twice on this sweet boattail and it’s listed once again here on eBay with no reserve. Third time’s the charm?
From 12/22/21 – Buick was never one to be shy when it came to styling. One example would be the 1968-69 Skylarks with their batwings at the rear. Another would be the 1971-73 Riviera’s with their boattail rear decks that were a bit reminiscent of the late 1930s Auburn Speedsters. In the case of the Riviera, it also had a fastback rear window, inspired by the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe. We’re told this ’73 Riviera has had just three owners, looks nicely preserved and runs well. Located in Alexandria, Alabama, this Buick is available here on eBay with no reserve and the bidding holding at $14,100.
Third-generation Buick Riviera’s grew compared to their predecessors, using the GM B-platform which picked up three inches in the wheelbase and were 120 lbs. heavier. Buick execs rolled the dice on the styling, and it backfired a bit – 10% fewer Riviera’s were sold in 1971 compared to 1970 (and that was also an off-year). The cars would be powered by Buick’s own 455 cubic-inch V8 which was rated at 250 hp by 1973. That year, with the styling toned down a bit, saw the production of 34,080 cars, including 3,933 GS models like the seller’s edition. So, it’s rare today compared to the rest of the series.
At 84,000 miles, this Riviera looks to have been well treated over the past 48 years. The car resides not too far from its original roots where the first owner bought it in Atlanta, Georgia. The body is solid, and the paint presents well with a matching half-vinyl top and interior. There doesn’t appear to be anything that needs attention. The upholstery is used, but not flawed, and you could probably drive the car most anytime you wanted without having to spend another dime right away.
As you would expect with a Riviera, it’s loaded with factory goodies like air conditioning, power accessories, and chrome Rally wheels. When the car transfers to its next owner, said buyer will also receive some original paperwork, which includes the Buick’s warranty card and sales jacket. A ’73 Riviera is estimated to be worth $30,000 in excellent condition, according to Hagerty. If you agree with that assessment, the current bidding is far from that level.
These are one of the models where exaggerating the swept-spear wasn’t the first styling consideration. That 455’s torque would make any car fun to drive. It’s been a long time but shouldn’t the cowl tag be plug welded?
A little less “boat” made these more attractive..until you got to the 6×6 sticking out under the grille. This example looks exceptionally nice. I believe all Rivs that year had the 455.
I agree with you Terry. The cow catcher front bumper does this car no favors but the feds made all the manufacturers conform to the new standards. Most makes and models didn’t wear them well.
All Rivs had the 455 in 1973.
Another Big Girl after my heart. I fell in love with these when my mom had one. Never found the top end but it came out of the hole like a dam rocket, and use to piss my sister off when I would smoke her vette.
Buick got a lot of mileage out of those wheels. My 63, 64 and 65 Rivieras wore them. I don’t blame them…they were beautiful rims
I love those wheels. I had them on my ’76 Estate Wagon, which was very plain, otherwise.
very nice BUT 30 grand is dreaming
If you dont like these Rivieras … well your a loser.
You’re.
You’re correct, but you have to love his thought process.
Does GS stand for gas sucker ?
I am joking , always liked the design of these different looking cars
Way too big for my liking but still an impressive design
Nice, should fetch a good price.
Interestingly enough the boat tail back of the car is why I don’t care for them. I have seen these things with some really nice paint jobs and looking cool just not my taste
Troy,
You should look for ’74 and ’75 Rivis then, they used the same front end with a boring sedan style roof.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=y2%2byP7%2fr&id=5BA93DD6B91ABCD98103B8DB9EC90E00474E0D8B&thid=OIP.y2-yP7_ro4ecX7FlUa240gHaFj&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fphotos.classiccars.com%2fcc-temp%2flisting%2f116%2f4559%2f14508197-1974-buick-riviera-std.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.cb6fb23fbfeba3879c5fb16551adb8d2%3frik%3diw1ORwAOyZ7buA%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=960&expw=1280&q=1974+riviera&simid=608047539785107643&FORM=IRPRST&ck=49803F2C4B487A0F0D5A0752A330B153&selectedIndex=4&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0
No offense, but I gotta agree with Stan.
I have a 73 Centurion Covv’t and bought it new, the cowl tag has screws!
I bought a 73 Centurion convert new as well. Even tho’ it was a full-load, SO (special factory order w/non-stock factory options), it was the most disappointing new car I ever owned, beginning on day ONE. I took delivery, put the top down and drove around, but when I went to raise the top that night, it wouldn’t latch. I fought that top for a year and a half (the dealer even had to call in ‘factory’ techs), but it was never right. I dumped it after a year and half and bought a Caprice!
@ Chuck Dickinson
I had that same problem with my ’75 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. It was always difficult latching the top to the windshield frame. One night it started raining and I was in a hurry to get the top up and latched. I only got one side latched and ended up cracking the windshield.
I LOVE the ’71 & ’72 boattails…the ’73, not so much.
The National Transportation Safety Board screwed up every cool design with their ‘safety’ rules.
But I’d just about make an exception we’re it a GS model such as this beauty. Keep it until you find a ‘71-‘72 middle worthy of selling the ‘73 GS.
Similar to mine, except mine’s not a GS, has a painted roof, oxblood interior, and came from Opp, Alabama. Took three quarts of oil from Montgomery to Indianapolis, getting 9mpg. Always wanted a ’72, but already owned a ’66 Galaxie 7 Litre from Opp, having two from there was too hard to resist.
@A.G. The Fisher body tag on the firewall should be riveted, not screwed on. Somebody faking a G.S,? Easiest way to check might be chalking the driveshaft and tire; G.S. had a 3.42:1 axle, regular production was 2.73 or 2.93:1.
The white is beautiful . When I was a little kid we had this same car in mustard yellow and it was tragic. That said, it was a very nice driving car.
Those rear window areas under the trunk and between the hinges had to be huge water collectors.
The listed VIN has a U as the fifth digit. 8-455 4bl, dual exhaust. A V in that position is for 8-455 4bl stage 1.
Hummmmm
The listed VIN has a U in the fifth position. 8-455 4bl dual exhaust. It needs a V in the fifth position to be 8-455 4bl stage 1.
OUCH!
JImmyinTEXAS: In ’73, the Stage 1 engine was a separate option from the Gran Sport. GS got you the 3.42 axle and a rear sway bar. Can’t remember if there was anything else.
Thanks for the info…
The rear end around the bumper area was toned down quite a bit in ’73.
I prefer the 1971s and ’72s because, well, if you are going to be radical, then BE radical!
The rear had to be changed. Federal bumper regulations came in for 73. That’s why these have the big front bumper for the 5 mph rule. The rears only had a 2.5 mph rule in 73, so some minor reworking was necessary. Recall that ALL 74 cars had big front AND rear bumpers since the 5 mph rule for the rear came into effect then.
I had a ’70 Rivy, a ’71 Rivy & 2 ’72 Rivies. I never had a ’73. I didn’t care for the way they toned down the “boat” of the boattail. Plus, those front bumpers are horrid.
Still kicking myself for selling the ’70 & ’71.
This is what my ex-husband did to my ’72.
Not his fault, some stupid bimbo made a left right in front of him.
Aww man. That’s a painful pic to see and it wasn’t mine. Insurance total it for you?
That license plate foretold the future.
Another view
Oh Snap! That hurts the optical orbs. Sorry bout your ‘72 Rivy.
Very sad 😞
Today thats a 14,999 project car possibly with engine too 😉
This a nice 20K riv👍😎
Bummer!
My God! The front bumper on this ’73 is hideous. The ’71 and ’72 are much more attractive as they were not subjected to the new for ’73 FMVSS front bumper standards.
My Mom had a 1973 when I was growing up, burnt corral color (fancy way of saying copper) with beige top & interior. I really want one like hers! I owned hers back in the 1980’s for a short period of time, but it was a beater by then. I had a pristine 1971 too. Better lines on the ’71 & ’72, but the ’73 is what I have the memories of.
Warp 8, Captain
I had a white 73 that i bought from my friends brother. Mine had a blue interior, fully loaded with a sunroof. I had a old girl friend who smash the rear boattail glass window in the dead of winter. I had an one hour drive home glued to the front heater freezing all the way. Such memories in the Riv.
I don’t know the circumstances, nor am I trying to absolve any bidders from guilt, however, looking at this from the ebay ad:
“This car is in perfect condition and runs and drives great”
Perhaps when viewed in person, the bidders definition of “perfect” was different from the seller’s.
It goes to show you, that before bidding on a car, do an inspection to verify what you are buying.
a bit off topic but there was a guy that always commented on here very informative went by handle steve h anyone know what happened to him hoping not deceased.
Y look at anything past the ’65 (last of gen1)?
Not quite an entirely different car but IMO a way nicer model.
Down hill the further on in yrs w/each new gen~
Loving my ’76 Riv with only 36k that I found on BF!
@JimZ.
As well you should! That is a beautiful car. I watched it on ebay and even used one of its pics as a screen saver.
Was the car all you expected when you received it or did you inspect it beforehand?
I do love those Rivs from that era and especially the one you bought. If I had had the funds, I would have given you a run for your money on that one!
Good luck with it and I hope you enjoy it for years to come.
The car arrived in great shape, closely matching the description. There were a few things needing attention but nothing major. Disconnected vacuum hoses made idling rough. The electric antenna was inoperable. ‘Puttering’ sound revealed a couple small exhaust leaks. Cruise is n/a, but I haven’t sorted it out yet. A few light bulbs needed replacing. Am I whining? Not at all! Car runs and drives great (especially with new shocks all around), and always gets the looks. Thanks!
Looks like someone took a ball-peen hammer to both door sill plates! Other than that it’s a solid Riviera.
Good eye. I missed it completely and noticed the damage only after reading your comment. 👍
Sill plates are generally soft and easily dented. Any chrome polisher worth their salt can straighten them like new.
Hi
I am nearing 60 now
And the only thing i can relate to on these cars is BOAT
Not boat tail , only BOAT
So my question is ,
What age are group are you in ?
No , attack or pun or anything bad
Its only a question
@Claudio
The term boattail came about in the 30s when Auburn and a few other car manufacturers made cars with bodies that flared back at the rear in the shape of a boat. Since that feature was on the rear, they were called Boattails.
https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/ideal/1/747/22774/1920×1440/1936-auburn-boattail-speedster