Arctic White with a burgundy interior gives this 1973 Buick Riviera a clean look, despite the wire wheels. It was reportedly part of an estate with over 100 cars and had been parked for many years until the owner passed away. It can now be found posted here on craigslist in Kokomo, Indiana, and they’re asking $17,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
The front bumper is massive, and Buick put out an interesting press release explaining how the “self-restoring energy absorbers” in the front would help to meet the upcoming 1974 5 mph bumper collision requirements with two air/hydraulic shocks, or energy absorbers. That being said, the 1971 and 1972 bumpers were certainly more handsome for the third-generation Rivieras. From looking at a Buick colors brochure, it looks like this white car should have had a white vinyl top rather than black, unless I’m reading the chart incorrectly.
I have a feeling that most of my “stuff” will be peddled off like this, “part of an estate” sort of thing. It’s depressing to think about it, but a lot of us will be there, either on one end or the other of having to get rid of things, or a loved one will have to get rid of our beloved stuff. I don’t have over 100 vehicles, though! This one isn’t as nice everywhere, despite how nice it looks in the overall photos. The seller included a close-up behind the right rear wheel well, which shows some rust and overall nicks and scratches.
The interior looks great, other than a seam separation in the driver’s side, and vinyl seats are still surprising for me to see on a luxury car, even one from the early 1970s. We don’t see underside or trunk photos, but I’m hoping it looks ok in those two areas.
The only engine available was a 455-cu.in. OHV V8, with 250 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque when new. This one looks surprisingly like a very nice vinyl-covered back seat, as the seller didn’t bother to pop the hood. It’s backed by a THM-400 sending power to the rear wheels, and they say after coming out of the hidden collection, it’s had “all new brakes, all new wheel cylinders, new exhaust, new tires, new distributor and plug wires and plugs, and rebuilding the carburetor.” Any thoughts on this Riviera?
I guess this is gorgeous early 70’s Buick week here in Barnfinds lol. These Rivieras were very unique and beautifully designed. I like the boat tail look too. You have to hand it to Buick, in the 60’s and 70’s they dared to be different and had some unique designs, like the ’68 and ’69 Skylark for an example. Their early Rivs are just a work of art too. This one is in remarkable condition. I’m willing to bet dollars for donuts that under the hood may need some detailing, but that Buick 455 will move this boat down the road very effortlessly. Maybe the interior can be patched by a professional? I can definitely see this having a white vinyl top when new. Usually, with a vinyl top, if you see a seam in the center of the roof, its a replacement. I’m looking on my phone right now and can’t quite make it out but I think it is. I’ll look closer later.
Gorgeous find T.J. thanks for writing it up Scotty. Its beautiful.
The rear photo shows the seam of the roof in the center. But it actually works because theres a body line in the center of the roof by the rear window. I can see why they went that route, black tops easier to keep clean than a white one I’m sure, and it provides a nice contrast to the white paint.
Kokomo Indiana 🍻
Enjoying the great basketball 🏀 played by the Pacers club this year.
My father was the president of a large company that had operations in about a dozen states and leased about 80-90 company cars. Most people who got cars had Chevrolets, but up till 79 when he switched to Cadillacs, my father always drove Buicks. As one of the bigger customers of the leasing company, he was sometimes invited to the long lead dealer preview. The company cars were on two year leases and he was due for a new Buick in 1971, so he was invited to the 71 preview in the Spring of 1970, and took me along. This was the first I, or many others so the new “boattail Riviera. It was the talk of the preview, but to be honest I didn’t care much for it at the time, though it has grown on me over the years. I do prefer the pre 5 MPH bumper 71 & 72 versions, over the 73 with it’s more massive front bumper.
My father liked the Riviera, but ended up ordering an Electra 225 Limited because it was better suited to towing. Back then we had a collection of antique cars and were often towing a new car home or a car to a show. He probably should have ordered the Riviera. I got my license that Fall and an El Camino, and as a 17 year old kid he had me do most of the towing after that.
For the right price this would make a great summer cruiser. Put in the garage for the winter with a trickle charger on the battery. My old mechanic had one of these and a StingRay, and probably something else.
I had similar thoughts, this might be a nice cruiser. The seller has done some maintenance work to get it into driving condition. Even with the big front bumper, it’s still a stylish car.
I wonder why there is a 1979 Illinois license plate on the front. Maybe it belonged to “Walter Young” (WY being the first two digits). Or maybe he pined for Wyoming….
Scotty,
It looks like the brochure where you see the white vinyl top was for accent stripe compatibility. It looks like on the next page you could get most any color vinyl top with white. White and black were recommended (R) but other colors were acceptable (A) in the chart.
I could be wrong.
You’re absolutely right, EJ, thanks for the correction!
It’s a very good car that hits all the right spots on the wanted list for a car classic , muscle car,or even a daily driver & hard to go wrong with Buicks fabled big block engine with I’m positive a/c even though not every option since standard seats would fit in with many crowds on here!
Wire hubcaps, not wire wheels, you can see the edge of the steel wheel behind the hubcaps.
As nice as the wire hubcaps are i still prefer the Buick rims I had on all 3 of my Rivieras.
The center caps on the rims that had a big R on them, I glued (epoxy) spinners on them on my ’70.
Spinners. Angel 😎 👍
@Stan
That ’70 is a beauty, Angel. A school teacher in my hometown traded his StingRay for a ’70 Riv with a center console. I see a black one at shows; probably see it tomorrow at the GM show at the fairgrounds. That body molding sets of the car imo.
@Jon Rukavina
The side molding on the ’70 Riviera was painted the body color of the car so only a very thin double line of chrome showed. The paint on mine was removed. All chrome underneath.
Same with the mini skirts on the rear wheels. All chrome underneath paint with just a small chrome strip at the bottom. The paint came off mine. This photo was to show Stan the spinners I put on the Riviera rims center caps.
My car came with a avocado green paint and green vinyl top. Removed the top and paint and sprayed it primer pink.
Thanks, Jon
Some of the ’70s GM cars with 5 mph bumpers had grills that also moved inward when the bumper was hit!
Anybody know which makes/models had them?
Compare that protection to the joke/useless “bumpers” today – thousands of dollars damage after a minor bump. Just shaking my head repeatedly side to side,
Can’t remember the 70s so much, Joe, but none of my 3 70s Caprices had those grilles. My ’84 Cutlass had the flexible grilles.
You’re right about today’s bumper covers. How many have you seen at an accident scene where the whole thing is laying on the road or on the roadside? LOL!
Can’t remember the 70s so much, Joe, but none of my 3 70s Caprices had those grilles. My ’84 Cutlass had the flexible grilles.
You’re right about today’s bumper covers. How many have you seen at an accident scene where the whole thing is laying on the road or on the roadside? LOL!
1973, ’74, ’75 & ’76 Cadillac de Villes had the grill move with the bumper.
Oldsmobile also I believe