What do you think of as the perfect vacation? Do you think of a cruise in France on the Riviera? That may be what most non car people would say. Automotive enthusiasts might disagree, however. They might say a cruise to pick up a Riviera is a better vacation. A blue 1972 Buick Riviera Boattail to be specific. The seller is asking $7,200 and is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Thank you Ian C for the tip. You can view the listing on Craigslist.
While sailing on the water is ideal for some, driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains provides quite the exhilarating ride for others. That is what you can do on your way to pick up and bring home this blue beauty Buick. The seller states that it starts and runs, but they have not actually started it in four years. They say they will be replacing a few parts in the next few days, such as the battery and spark plugs, so that might help.
The mileage on this Buick sits at 103,483. It is powered by a 455 cubic inch V8 with an automatic transmission. It is a factory air car. That will make cruising the mountains more comfortable. Although, it will need 2 new tires before it can make that journey due to them being dry rot. If you do purchase the car, you should plan to make arrangements to have tires ready. There are quite a few tire shops local to the area.
This style of Buick Riviera is the third generation of the model. There were 33,728 total made, which was not exactly the numbers GM was hoping. The desirability of these cars may be in the eye of the beholder. However, if a 2014 Ridler award is any indication on the potential styling elements, than it has a lot going for it. While this specific blue Buick stuck in the Blue Ridge Mountains might not achieve that, it can still sail down the road putting a smile on your face.
The wet car trick, to bad they had to go there. Honesty is the only policy when it comes to collector cars. Now I wonder about the truth of any thing represented in the add.
Not being disrespectful, but if it was still coated with an inch of dust (it is in a body shop) would you complain about that? Just seems like a no-win situation for sellers. If it is dirty-wash it. If it is cleaned- you should have left it as found. If it is still wet- you should dry it off. Maybe just clean up half of the car? No, that would be half-arsed.
Personally, I would take pictures of the car “as found”, dust and all. Then I would wash/ clean the car, dry it, then take photos (no wet photos, though). I would post all of them for the seller to come to their own conclusions.
It’s being sold by the wife of a body shop owner who died. Plus, she’s giving it a once over and doing maintenance before it sells. Give the lady a break.
At $7200 seems to be a pretty good deal.
Don’t think I’ve ever seen that shade of blue on a Riv before, looks darn nice!
Nice blue, and thankfully without the white vinyl half roof. Friend in the gang had a tattered one years ago; same blue but the vinyl was as tired as I feel today.
I think the 1/2 vinyl roof was on the 73’s. I have a 72 and it has a full vinyl roof.
Their asking $7500, not $7200……..still seems like a pretty good price. Looks like a nice car! Wish they would of dried it off or waited for it to dry off before taking pics!………I don’t get that!!
Completely irresponsible me would be all over this!
“does need tires they are on there and pumped up but 2 are really dry rotted and won’t hold air”
For $7500.00 this car had better come with a brand new set of white wall tires.
I still think that they need a flying bridge. Although the picture is of a Le Sabre, the car has the right idea.
Not far from me, but alas it’s far from my budget.
Here’s another one that was built. http://www.robertwebb.com/gallagher.htm
nothing like the boattail, good deal, 510 lbs of torque, you’ll pass most things but a gas station!!!!
Gas may not be the only thing you’ll be needing. I bought mine in southern Alabama with about the same mileage as this one. It used three quarts of oil between Montgomery and Indianapolis.
I actually have one of these that runs, I use it once a week to keep it exercised and the fluids flowing. The 455 was a new engine at this time, it was thin wall construction making it comparatively light weight to other big blocks. I think the 510 lbs cited by Paul maybe for a 71. By 72 the emission mandates were taking hold and both power and torque had fallen. There is nothing on this car that could not be fixed, but at over 100 000 miles like this one is purported to have you might want to change the timing chain. That can be a pricey endeavor. I hope they get 7500, seems a bit high for the condition of this car.
At 100k for a car of this vintage I’d suspect a complete rebuild is in order, or will be soon enough.
I hope that the moisture we see in the photos IS in fact from the car being washed… I grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast and I am used to seeing cars with moisture on them inside a garage, from the humidity. Not the best conditions for storage, obviously..
I wish i wound have seen this one first, but the one i bought will be worth about 23,000 when its done, very price coming up cars hard to find especially one that is in running condition.
Very nice! Love the style! It appears to be in pretty good shape!
Great boats. I had a 73 boattiail gs stage 1 that I started to restore and sold. Wish I had kept and finished
the seller could have done a much better job of presenting this car …too bad too because the ‘ Boattails ‘ are a true classic
Since when is everybody expected to be a professional car dealer. Lighten up Francis
Truth in advertising, the wet look is a ploy. Car is worth asking price so no need to show us what could be. Show exactly what is. I look at an average of 50 adds a day. I post 5 adds per day. Lets set rules so we know whats represented has resemblance to what is. Ecommerce makes money unless it wastes time.