Some of us dream about finding a decades-old vehicle in such excellent condition as this 1973 Buick Riviera is in. Award-winning condition, in fact. This gorgeous car can be found here on craigslist in Altadena, California with an asking price of $27,500. Thanks to Pat L. for tracking this one down and sending in the tip!
1973 was the last year of the third-generation Riviera. The sleek look suffered a bit from having a big front bumper but it was a pretty radical design that would be watered down a bit in subsequent years, redesigned to be a bit more mainstream. I for one love it when a carmaker takes a risk on design. Anyone can make a melted bar of soap-looking car, but give me something distinctive, something different, something like this Riviera.
Arguably the third-generation Riviera’s most beautiful, or some might say controversial, styling feature was its boattail design. It was toned down a bit for the final year in 1973 but it’s still quite distinctive. Also found on third-generation Rivieras would be the sweepspear beltline from Buicks of a couple of decades earlier. That feature would also go away in 1974. There’s a lot to love about this gorgeous Riviera, design-wise, and you’ve already noticed the outstanding condition.
The seller says that this two-owner car was bought by a collector and then restored back to this like-new condition and has been garaged since then. It has won several trophies including two national trophies in Buick events and several in California where the car resides. The interior, as you expected, looks like new. The vinyl seats are perfect both front and rear.
The 250-hp 455 cubic-inch V8 pulls like a freight train, according to the seller. It could use a good detailing to get it up to the visual appearance of the exterior and interior, but it looks like honest dust and surface rust. Hagerty is at $26,400 for a #2 excellent condition car which this one would have to be in given its visual condition, as long as it runs as good as it looks. Are any of you fans of the boattail Rivieras?
Correct me if I’m wrong but a #2 car is absolutely immaculate…there are few #1 cars out there and that would be something for a show judge to determine. #1 is a state where the tires have not seen road use. If there is anything that needs done it’s really not a #2.
Offer $21,350 and negotiate your way ti $24.500 or pay the asking price of the flipper.
It always amazes me that the write ups talk of painstaking restoration and we look upon a rust crusty master cylinder and brake booster. What else might we find?
Would be interesting to see dates of awards.
Being stored in a garage doesn’t guarantee a controlled humidity problem. No underside pics – – – that would have to be looked at first in detail before forking over the hard earned cash.
Yes I would pay the asking price if it is as advertised or better.
Nice boat.
Well said, I agree. I like the car too! Reminds me of a car when I was a Yute…..I’m sorry, Youth…..
Here is your chance to own a 1973 Mint Metallic Green Buick Skylark Convertib….Oh sorry, Riviera….
Vinny
I agree with Fred. Probably crusty underneath. The awards were 30 years ago. That’s a long time ago and sitting in a damp garage on a cement floor. Oh well. Yes beautiful and GM will never build cars like this stylish boat ever again. A bit much money, but when did you last see one.
Beautiful, but given my choice I think the ’71 with smaller bumpers and bucket seats and more power would be a definite preference.
Love them, friend of mine had a 72, Brown w tan interior tan 1/2 vinyl, factory sunroof, beautiful car, and I’m no fan of brown, been looking for a solid one, w a roof, for a long time, 27 large ain’t happening, but I think about my buddies, all the time, cars gone 43 yrs, just rode beautiful, quick and good looking
It’s not a GS …it doesn’t have buckets and a center consul …. and it has a very ugly 5 mph crash absorbing front bumper …. and it has 100,000 on the clock ….. 18 grand tops and I’m being very generous !
Looks very much like my 72 that had 9,600 miles and the original bias ply tires on it when I bought it back in 2001. It broke my heart to turn 10k miles but that’s the way it goes. I think I’m still under 11k miles. I kept those bias ply tires but they really suck. I didn’t realize how much better radials were until I replaced the bias ply.
I find it odd that the car was driven onto a dirt and gravel covered location to be photographed. If it were my car, unless unavoidable for some reason, I would never purposely drive it in such an area. I avoid such locations whenever possible even with my daily driver.
Had a 72 in 76, grey with half blue vinyl top and blue brocade cloth bench seat interior. Was a tank, was commuting with it and gas was killing me… Wish I had it now though.. Was definitely a cool ride…
My buddy had a 72, factory sunroof coco brown w tan top and interior in 77, during NYs Disco days, had spokes and nice whitewalls, real cruiser, 6 mpg w the A/C on remember riding around during the blackout of July 77, w the sunroof open a/c on and the Trammps on the 8 track player, great days