You know a Buick Riviera when you see one, at least a member from its first three generations. Those were designs that were considered among GM head stylist, Bill Mitchell’s, best. They were special cars and it’s disheartening to find one that has been left outside, unattended. But that’s the case with this 1972 example that is located in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, so let’s look it over and see if it’s salvageable. This Riv is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,776 with 34 bids tendered as of this writing.

As far as automobile design goes, the ’70s started out OK, but blandness and badge engineering were right around the corner so you can imagine the surprise when Riviera Gen III (1971-1973) was unveiled in late’70 – what a breath of fresh air! It was a mix of elements, part classic boattail, part batmobile, and part GM understated elegance, all rolled into one. Sales, however, were another matter. While Gen-II’s final model year of ’70 saw 37K copies finding homes, the newly redesigned ’71 Gen-III dropped to 33K units with ’72 holding steady at that same volume. For ’73, the federally mandated “park-bench” front bumper was required, altering the lightness effect of this rather large car. The more awkward appearance, however, didn’t hurt sales, they actually increased marginally.

The seller opens the listing with, “We do not have much info on the car” – nothing like knowing your merchandise and typical for a flip. It is claimed to have been parked for fifteen years before being “pulled out” though the windshield registration decal reads July 1995. As is often stated regarding a find’s engine, which in this case is not photographed, it “supposedly” ran when parked. There is an engine underside image included but the only thing that it discloses is that this 225 net HP, 455 CI V8 engine may have a front seal leak. Some may be impressed with the fact that there is a 7.4-liter engine under this Buick’s expansive hood, but that’s the only way that the Riviera was built and 225 measly net HP is nothing to write home about. The GS version got prospective orderers another 25 net HP.

As to how long this car has been anywhere, is anyone’s guess. The finish, which looks like Buick’s Emerald Mist still shows pretty well though the vinyl, landau roof covering is showing the effects of lots of outdoor time. The sheet metal appears to be straight but you can find rust rearing its ugly head in places like the rear right wheel opening. The chrome is in fair nick and a good buffing may restore some luster to its otherwise dull state. Buick’s desirable road wheels adorn this Riviera’s driver’s side but that’s not the case on the passenger side. As mentioned earlier, it’s not known how long this Buick has been residing outside but such conditions, as to where this car is currently parked, never benefit the underside. That said, there are underside images included, and other than some scale on the frame, lack of integrity does not appear to be a problem.

The upholstery is a mess! The avocado green, vinyl seat coverings are seriously split, though the dash pad, probably a hard to repair or source component, shows fine. Note the dual concave nature of the dashboard, it inspires a cockpit feel. The instrument panel and passenger-side door panel present well but the driver’s side panel shows the effects of use and age. Speaking of use, the odometer appears to read 69K miles but it is more than likely a once around reading or the result of the odometer giving it up at some point.

Great car, questionable condition. It’s difficult to be objective when all you have to work with are images and text that may or may not be fully accurate. While perhaps a perfectly good project, I’d say this Riviera needs an on-the-spot inspection so that a potential owner can determine exactly what they are buying. The devil is always in the details, right?