1971 Buick Boattail Riviera National Award Winner

1971 Buick Riviera Description:

Completely redesigned for 1971, the Riviera boasted a new chassis and bold styling from Bill Mitchell and Jerry Hirshberg that drew heavily on the ’63 Corvette Sting Ray’s rear end treatment. The boat tail design was controversial when new but has mellowed nicely over the years, to the point that these are now very sought-after cars.

Above the side contour is the graceful fastback that slides into the rear window, and eventually into the gently sloping rear decklid--in profile. Looking at the aft end from any other angle reveals an angular rear window that wraps around to the top of the fender, as it becomes the boattail. If one were to focus strictly on the rear window, it's strikingly similar to the Corvette, except that the Corvette does not feature the pronounced point molded into not only the rear panel and trunk lid, but also the rear bumper.

The 1971 Riviera incorporated a new ventilation system that provided improved ventilation comfort, made possible by the addition of air vent provisions on the trunk lid. 71 Riviera's are the only year of the boattails to have this.

Flowing from the upper tip of the front fenders are sweeping sculptured sides, blending into the door panels, yet strong enough to hark back to the day of the Sweepspear design. It strengthens rapidly just aft of the door on its approach to the fully exposed rear wheel wells, eventually becoming a pronounced fender line. As seen on this car, the Sweepspear shape of the profile was accentuated by body side protective molding fitted as a dealer option, which became a standard feature in 1972.

The restoration on this Riviera was finished in 2010, and it is a four time AACA National First Prize Award Winner (2011 - 2014).After 2014 it was used as a Touring car, and has accumulated approximately 6,000 miles in that capacity.

Powering the redesigned Riviera is the same 455-cu.in. V-8 that had been utilized in the 1970 model--including the 4.31 x 3.90-inch bore and stroke, and four-barrel carburetor--with exception of the compression ratio, lowered from 10:1 to 8.5:1 (for the use of lower octane unleaded fuel), resulting in 315 horsepower and 450-lbs.ft. of torque. Even at a curb weight more than 4,000 pounds, period tests noted a 0-60 time in the low 8 second range.. The numbers matching engine in this Riviera runs very well, allowing it to cruise on the freeway with 2.93 gears, or to spin the rear tire with ease from a stoplight.

Only one transmission was available, the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400. This durable three-speed automatic has its shift lever located in the center console. The original numbers matching transmission in this car was rebuilt in 2016.

Unlike the previous generation of Rivieras, the boattail models sport a new four-link rear suspension, consisting of coil springs as well as upper and lower control arms. This new arrangement was more in line with the rest of the full-size Buick lineup. Up front there was the usual independent suspension with coil springs and upper and lower A-arms.

All models feature 12-inch ventilated disc brakes up front as standard equipment, which were combined with 11-inch drums in the rear.

Exhaust was redone in the original style, with dual mufflers and resonators.Body, floors, etc are clean and appear to be rust free.

Mileage shows as approximately 38,000, however I do not have supporting documentation to verify it is original.

The car is well equipped with air conditioning (works great blowing cold air and hot heat), power windows, power seat, tilt steering, AM/FM stereo 8 track (works great).

Recent work (last few years) includes newalternator, water pump, fuel pump, heater fan, radiator and transmission rebuild. AC has been converted to R134 and AC compressor was replaced 2 years ago.Dash and arm rest pads where redone by Just Dashes.

I have more pictures that I can send on request.

Feel free to call or email with questions.Chris - 206-571-5533

I reserve the right to end this auction at any time. If you have less than 5 positive feedbacks, please contact me before bidding.

Cold start video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=546NHFLFKhs&feature=youtu.be

On Sep-25-18 at 08:18:32 PDT, seller added the following information:

I am located approximately 15 miles from SeaTac International airport