My grandfather had a 1973 in green with the 455. He loved the car and I was a fan too. He had it from new until rust really began to claim it, despite him keeping it garaged as much as possible. It still ran and drove perfect. I remember when I was in my 20s he asked if I'd be too upset if he didn't give it to me but instead sold it to someone that planned on doing a full restoration. While I would have loved to have the car, I didn't have the resources to restore it or anywhere really to keep it. I already had 2 cars that I struggled to keep going. So, reluctantly, but because I loved my granddad and felt that the car deserved better than to rot away in my apartment's parking lot, I let it go. It still makes me a little sad, but I know it was the right decision at the time.
Sure hope the new owner restored it properly. I have always dreamed/fantasized about being able to completely restore my 73 Caprice, New England rust claimed if as well.
I had to like this comment. Well said and an experience I shared. My father had a 62 Continental 4 door in black. Beautiful, beautiful car. He kept it until the mid 70s when I was 15. I begged him not to sell it, but to garage it at my uncles who had a spare bay. The car was in pristine condition. My father understood how badly I wanted it, but said no. He didn't want me saddled with the cost and responsibilities of a large, older luxury car at so young an age, although I had been working since the age of 10 and had money. He sold it. I was crushed. HOWEVER......one year later I found a 66 Mustang Fastback, deep blue, in an elderly lady's garage with low mileage and she sold it to me for $700. I was the second owner and the car had only a few tiny issues which I quickly fixed. It was beautiful and drove awesome. I kept it for 22 years and sold it for $27,000. Guess my dad knew what was best.
Even in the '80s, seeing one on the street was a rare occasion. They did stand out, as they do today. Design was primarily about beauty back then, not about being "aggressive."
I was in my early 20's and these Rivieras were popular amongst those of us who were finishing college, had our first jobs, needed a stylish but sensible replacement for our GTOs, Malibu Super Sports, Cutlass 442s, and were looking for mates. These were extremely reliable cars.
A totally impractical design, and a magnificent one. I was a high school Senior in 1971, and a big fan of the Toranado. But the boat tail Riv was just about its equal. The stories about Bill Mitchell's "objections" were great! He was the type of company man that companies would no longer tolerate, and that's a shame. He was absolutely right about the vinyl top. Put one of those god-awful things on a boat tail Riv, and the top is all you see.
Magnificent AND practical, in my experience! Rear seat legroom is acceptable, and the trunk is good-sized. Much better than some other sporty coupes, so feel free to try one!
I agree totally that it was a impractical design but one of the most beautiful cars of the 1970's. The design today makes it today a sight that not many other restored cars have. I never could understand how from a great looking design then come up with the shovel tail ugly Cadillac Seville that was beyond impractical and unreliable.
It generally is that the most beautiful things are the most impractical and therefore rare, station wagons and minivans are very practical and as plain as could be
I think we may be twins separated at birth, same age, same tastes. However when the Riviera came out I hated it, it made me think of the overwhelming pimp mobiles of the time. It has only been in recent years that I've come to love the design but never with a vinyl top.
I love these. We had an elderly neighbor and her daughter would come from out of state to visit and always had beautiful cars. In 1971 she and her husband arrived in a brown 1971 Riviera and I was hooked! Thanks for this video, Adam, a treat like all your others. I need to add a couple of things re this Riviera. The daughter and her husband ordered and bought what they wanted, it wasn't to a price: 1) Their Riviera was a slicktop so they obviously agreed with Bill Mitchell. 2) This was the only car they owned in my memory with blackwall tires. Why they went that look I have no idea. I just remember the car got your attention in a good way. I remember my mother, who cared nothing about cars, commenting that she really liked it. I hate when I get started on cars! LOL
There's no way one of those cars could be nearby without drawing attention. They sold prolifically in Detroit. I think they also received favorable contemporary press for overall handling and braking as well. Fifty years later, they still shine bright.
My father had a new '71 Riviera. It was copper with Buick road wheels. Over the years he was often asked if he would sell it. He refused until December '79. He should have slept on it because the next morning he regretted having sold it.
I remember when these first came out. To say they were shocking is an understatement. Like the bustle-back Seville, you either loved it or hated it...There really was no in-between!
The nationwide UAW strike of 1970 resulted in total production shutdown just as the all-new 1971 GM full-sized cars were being rolled out for distribution. The local Buick dealer took out an ad in the newspaper to announce delivery of the only 1971 Riviera in town. It remained the only '71 Riviera until Thanksgiving 1970. Dad and me - we both loved that boattail Riv!
A friend of mine bought the '71 as a present to himself upon getting his first job. Your video highlights the beauty of it's exterior (which certainly desrves praise and attention - it retained more of the lines from the concept clay models than most vehicles), but what blew my mind he first time I sat in my friend's car was the luxury feel of its interior. It felt SO high-end - no doubt a call back to it's planned LeSabre roots. I consider it to be one of the most beautiful car designs of the 70's - even more than the Old's Cutlasses of the same years.
Absolutely Gorgeous! Have never heard anyone say these were anything other than gorgeous...Back when Detroit still knew how to design cars (and were briefly allowed to in 1971)...
As a teenager, I had the opportunity to drive a 72 Riviera from rural Maryland to Ohio and back. It had plenty of power, and it was a smooth ride. It felt like a souped up land yacht, but way more nimble than my Mom's mark 3 Lincoln. Thanks for refreshing my recollection of those good old days!
I had a 71 and it drove like a dream. I bought it used in 1984 and it was very reliable. It broke down once on me and it was just a bad external fuel pump which was easy and cheap to replace. What a great cruiser.
I was *smitten* on first seeing a '71 in my early teens. Beside a '55 to '57 Buick Roadmaster, its sweep-spear lineage is striking. I for one (only one?) love its size and visual heft.
My best friend in high schools Father had a 1971 Riviera GS. He used to let us borrow it on Weekend nights. Man, we had a great time in thar car! Smooth, fast and comfy interior for the girls. The girls loved it!! You could smoke the tires at will in that car. This was in 1974/1975. We thought we were so cool!! His Father was just about the nicest, coolest adult I had ever met at that time. I stayed friends with my friend's father for decades.
Beautifully designed car...not like the boxes they're designing and selling now. I was privileged to 'babysit' one of these for an uncle when I was 18. OMG! I've never forgotten how wonderful it was to drive, to be seen in. It was a dream! The car was so 'futuristic'.
Awesome, you finally are covering one of my favorites. If this had been built on the GP / Monte Carlo chassis it would be one of the all-time desirable classics of the era! I had a 71 in college in the mid 80s…
My dad and I were at the Buick dealer's in '73, looking (well I was drooling) at a beautiful garnet red Riviera with a matching leather (or vinyl) interior. I held my breath as the haggling commenced but alas, we left without it. On the way home, Dad told me they were $50 too high. FIFTY DOLLARS!!! Dad laughed at my disgruntled expression for decades. You would have pried that car out of my cold dead hands! Although to be truthful, I much prefer the '71 and '72. But still...arrrrgh!
David Hall $50 Dollars Ha ha . You were there to see it so can understand how it was back then . $50 could buy a lot back in those Days . In 1974 my mother and I went to the Ford Dealership just looking at Vans . My Father needed a service Van and mind you we Were just Looking . Ford Econoline e100 Basic . I was just a Kid but would throw in a question now and then and the Hungry salesman would get Excited . We had no plans to buy but were there for 3 hours and every time we headed for the Door the slaesman went Nutz . The new Vans original great price was $ 4000. We would go use the phone and come back to Battle , one call was to just say Hello to my Grandmother . We left with the Van being sold for $ 3100 . We worked the Guy over and got a quarter of the price knocked off for a New Van . The Dealership sold only 2 vehicles that Day , they were Hungry . $50 bought a lot of pride Back then.
These cars pack a powerful punch. I say that from experience. Back in the 70’s, I was sitting at a light, in my 65 ford wagon, behind a flatbed. A 1972 Buick Rivera came flying around a bed and slammed into me. I only had time to turn my wheel. He pushed me past the truck and he ended up further than I. He said he worked a double shift and was tired. He never hit his brakes. I had a dent in my tailgate, he had front damage and broken motor mounts. I drove home, he got towed.
I agree with you, Adam: the original '71 Riviera concept proposal would've made for a stunningly beautiful production car. Maybe it was TOO stunning and beautiful to have survived GM divisional rivalries & jealousies in the day. The Silver Arrow show car was also beautiful.
Bought a 71 Halloween 84 @ A Toyota dealership! $2,000! It was a one owner GS car White with a black vinyl top and black guts owned it for about 15 years, and sold it for $4,000. What a dumbass! Wish I still had that old river boat!
I was working a part time job in 1992, the other fellow co- worker and I in that hardware store on break ( meal) gave me a ride in a rather ratty looking ‘73 , maroon color. Even beat up and rough , it still looked impressive with that tail . It was probably beautiful brand new . Thank you for bringing this car up in an episode, brings back memories!
Lemme tell you, I am a huge '63 Corvette, so it was easy to completely be bowled over in love with my first view of the car, a 1971 Silver Metallic one as the main attraction in the Buick dealership. It was like what A BENTLEY Continental S2 would look like if it was transported from the 50's. Stunning, with those beautiful chrome spider wheels. I'd love to find one now, with the monster motor. And, yes, I HATED vinyl tops on this car.
Thank you for this wonderful history! My parents had a new 1965, and then a new 1969 that I got for my first car a few years later. I truly love these. Even the 1971 versions are among my favorites! This is an awesome channel!!!
Always loved these Rivieras eversince is was a kid seeing them in the 80s. By then most of them were already worn and faded, but I saw the beauty in the design. Thanks for a great review Adam. 👍
As a previous owner of a '72 I can say that the '71 and '72 did indeed use the same bumpers, although the optional bumper guards would make them look different.
I had a '72 boat tail in '72. It was the best "road car" I've ever owned. The oil embargo in the '70s caused me to sell it to a co-worker. I still think about how much I loved that car.
As a teenager at the time, I remember not being a big fan of the boattail Riv. But in retrospect, I have come to appreciate how different it was in an erra when cars were starting to all look the same. The front and rear ends looked best in 1971, the car looked best without rubstrips, and Mitchell was right... it looks much cleaner without the vinyl roof. I actually like the Silver Arrow III concept better than the original A-body concept. And I still remember how torquey the Buick 455 felt even as a low compression smog motor. Thanks for the memories Adam!
Drove a 72 for several years. Loved that car and so did all who saw it. Achilles heel for mine was the fuel pump. I had to change it so often, I kept a spare in the trunk along with the tools to change it. Got really good at it and could do it in less than 10 minutes on the side of the road. I could never find a long and straight enough piece of road to wind it out. Going over 100mph was a regular event!! 😁😁😁
I’ve been waiting for you to upload some thing on the greatness of the boat tail. My dad had a 1972 and I was literally just talking with him about it 20 minutes before I opened up my phone to look at TH-cam videos and lo and behold Adam uploaded exactly what we were talking about. Way to go buddy! Keep it rolling. Can’t wait for you to do some thing on the 70-73 Monte Carlo
Thank you SO MUCH for including the images of the original A-body proposal! For years I've heard this story but was never able to find any photos or drawings.
The 71 Riviera was indeed revolutionary in design, like the 66 Tornado & the Bustle back Seville, you either loved it or hated it!!!! Thanks Adam for sharing another exciting video!!! 👍👍🙂
My parents had a 1972 Riviera. It was a beautiful bronze with beige top and leather interior. 455 engine. It got up and went, I remember. I'd love to have that car!!!
This was a nice, Neo-Classic design right off the showroom floor that could not only be had for much less than a contemporary Stutz Blackhawk, it was also more tastefully rendered. As a model builder, I wonder why there has never been a 1/25th scale, injection molded "3 in 1 kit" kit from AMT or MPC back when it was a new design. I hope the people at "Round 2" are paying attention . . . . Thanks for posting this!
my favorite riv is the boats,especially 73. I fell in love with the cars after seeing a 73 being trashed in the 1974 movie thunderbolt and lightfoot starring jeff bridges and clint esatwood.
You might clarify that the Silver Arrow III was purely a concept car, not produced. Saying it was introduced at an auto show might imply to a novice that he could actually find one today!
Being Aussie I’ve never seen one in real life but as impractical as the boot looked it did really did look really cool and the car as a whole looked gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing. Personally I will never be a fan of vinyl roofs as they were rust traps so I’d have to side with Bill Mitchell there.
funny enough neither had I until today. I'm an Aussie too and spent a great 30 mins driving behind and beside one of these beasts. left hand drive, a couple of mods. Def made Sunday Sydney traffic bearable 😂.
When I saw the '71s, I instantly recongnized the '57 Buick theme. The deeply curved beltline and roof was updated beautifully. When I saw this car, I was so glad to see a hat tip to those earlier styling ques .
Yeah, I guess folks either loved or hated this extreme design. I only rode in one of them. Believe or not, the pastor at our local church had one! Cool pastor indeed
My parent's friends had a boat-tail when I was a kid. I adored that car. Thought it was some kind of wild spaceship. Still love the body style to this day.
I'm on the love it side! It stood out from all the other 1971 offerings. It did have a large amount of horizontal surfaces, though. Didn't know it was originally intended to be a smaller car. That would have been even better.
Way back in automotive history, I was a big fan of late-twenties, early-thirties Classic cars. Every manufacturer of fine cars had an offering that could be considered a Classic. This Buick Rivera Boat Tail recalls the Classic Era perfectly.
Excellent , Excellent .... Sharp Classic Buick Style , Luxury & Swagg In 73 .... I Was In Junior High School , When I Saw 1 Of These In My Neighborhood & To Me That Was A Nice Looking Buick 👍 👍
My dad recalled getting rides to school in a neighbor's Riviera in the 70s and noting how hot it was sitting in the back seat under that big wraparound window.
As a young man I visited the US in about 1980. Saw one of these and was blown away by it. A bit like when I first saw a Jensen Interceptor. Had to make do with my rusty old Vauxhall Ventora. Then decades of driving rubbish until I got a Jaguar XJ, now have F Pace SVR.
I graduated from highschool in 1979. That summer a friend and I were sitting on the wall across the street from the pizza and grinder shop in our town. Up pulls a boat tail Buick. One of our classmates got out of car. We got up to get a look at the car. I noticed that the cat had a 4 speed manual. 3 pedals confirmed this. The hood was opened to show off the motor. 421 cid Pontiac with (3) two bbl carbs. Alan bought the car from a widow in his neighborhood. His Dad called the garage he trusted for a tow truck. Dad didn't trust the brakes because the car sat for a few years. The garage owner wanted the 455 cid motor. Traded the Pontiac motor and manual trans. This car was now what it should have been: Big block with a 4 speed.
This car was the coolest when my dad graduated highschool. He could afford it though. So about 25-30 years later, when i was in highschool, he bought one. He drove me every day to school in it. By far one of the coolest and HEAVIEST ways to get to class.
Thanks Adam for an insider's look at this controversial Riviera generation. The side sweep spear or 'check mark' was used for most of the Fifties, but mainly the '54-'57 with this same dip down. On those it's beautiful, but isn't the same actual contour as on the '71-'73 Riv. It's my favorite aspect of this car. It would be an easy thing to implement on current Buicks to make them look more like Buicks. Never mind, nothing matters now. Forget it.
@Luishous the Werewolf no for today that horsepower ain’t nothing. I’m sure that was factory horsepower but I know it can be tuned just right. I’m from Georgia where we have a lot of gear heads down here.
I have 72 Riv GS and a 68 Olds Toro. They were my daily drivers in the 1990s. Both are waiting for my retirement to be restored. Both are great cars and both were fast. The Olds was fast off the line. The Riv was faster going from 40 to 100 than 0 to 60. The Riv had a nicer ride.
Very nice video and very good information! When I made some researching about those Boattail Rivieras, I've heard that trunk lid louvres accounted for some severe rust issues on cars trunk lids due to the accumulation of leaves and the dirt build up, clogging water outlets.
I LOVE IT!!!!.....BEST DESIGN SINCE THE LESABRE PROTOTYPE FINALLY SOMEONE HAD THE BALLS TO PUT A PROTOTYPE ON THE STREET!!!!...MY ONLY PROBLEM IS THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD A SPLIT BUMPER AND LET THAT GRILL SHINE!!!
1:25 Gotta love the Westminster typeface on the "ADVANCE DESIGN" sign. It was popular on scifi book covers of the era. Make it look vaguely computery so it shouts "Future!" .
Ok for what it's worth I love this look. Now being an Australian I doubt if there would have been a new one in the country in 1971. But since the collector car era one could expect to see one at a car show. Mind you it's been years since I have seen one in the flesh. Best year for me...1971
My grandfather had a 1973 in green with the 455. He loved the car and I was a fan too. He had it from new until rust really began to claim it, despite him keeping it garaged as much as possible. It still ran and drove perfect. I remember when I was in my 20s he asked if I'd be too upset if he didn't give it to me but instead sold it to someone that planned on doing a full restoration. While I would have loved to have the car, I didn't have the resources to restore it or anywhere really to keep it. I already had 2 cars that I struggled to keep going. So, reluctantly, but because I loved my granddad and felt that the car deserved better than to rot away in my apartment's parking lot, I let it go. It still makes me a little sad, but I know it was the right decision at the time.
Sure hope the new owner restored it properly. I have always dreamed/fantasized about being able to completely restore my 73 Caprice, New England rust claimed if as well.
I had to like this comment. Well said and an experience I shared. My father had a 62 Continental 4 door in black. Beautiful, beautiful car. He kept it until the mid 70s when I was 15. I begged him not to sell it, but to garage it at my uncles who had a spare bay. The car was in pristine condition. My father understood how badly I wanted it, but said no. He didn't want me saddled with the cost and responsibilities of a large, older luxury car at so young an age, although I had been working since the age of 10 and had money. He sold it. I was crushed.
HOWEVER......one year later I found a 66 Mustang Fastback, deep blue, in an elderly lady's garage with low mileage and she sold it to me for $700. I was the second owner and the car had only a few tiny issues which I quickly fixed. It was beautiful and drove awesome. I kept it for 22 years and sold it for $27,000. Guess my dad knew what was best.
I have a 73 boat tail that I've owned since 1974. I now only drive it mostly car shows where it's the only one being shown.
What a great story! You have a great deal of integrity my friend! Just a very sweet story!
Maybe you can hunt it down, and buy it back.
I’ve never heard a negative opinion about the Buick boat tails. I always thought they were universally loved.
Me too - I was actually a bit surprised by Adam’s comments stating otherwise…….????
Same here.
Same
Nah, I never liked the transition from the 1970 model. Maybe because my girlfriend at the time drove the 1970.
I remember how controversial they were. not
One of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen !!
Back in my elementary grade school a teacher drove one of these new. I thought it was the wildest car I had ever seen at that time. RIP Mrs. Hunter.
Even in the '80s, seeing one on the street was a rare occasion. They did stand out, as they do today. Design was primarily about beauty back then, not about being "aggressive."
Hoping the silly angry eye headlights and fish mouth grill trend will die off soon.
@@waterheaterservices Hope is all we have left.
@@paulparoma There is no hope for modern cars. That's why I've never owned one.
@@UberLummox I know. I hope I never have to buy one.
@@paulparoma You won't, as long as they keep making vintage ones! (harhar)
I was in my early 20's and these Rivieras were popular amongst those of us who were finishing college, had our first jobs, needed a stylish but sensible replacement for our GTOs, Malibu Super Sports, Cutlass 442s, and were looking for mates. These were extremely reliable cars.
A totally impractical design, and a magnificent one. I was a high school Senior in 1971, and a big fan of the Toranado. But the boat tail Riv was just about its equal. The stories about Bill Mitchell's "objections" were great! He was the type of company man that companies would no longer tolerate, and that's a shame. He was absolutely right about the vinyl top. Put one of those god-awful things on a boat tail Riv, and the top is all you see.
Magnificent AND practical, in my experience! Rear seat legroom is acceptable, and the trunk is good-sized. Much better than some other sporty coupes, so feel free to try one!
I agree totally that it was a impractical design but one of the most beautiful cars of the 1970's. The design today makes it today a sight that not many other restored cars have. I never could understand how from a great looking design then come up with the shovel tail ugly Cadillac Seville that was beyond impractical and unreliable.
It generally is that the most beautiful things are the most impractical and therefore rare, station wagons and minivans are very practical and as plain as could be
I think we may be twins separated at birth, same age, same tastes. However when the Riviera came out I hated it, it made me think of the overwhelming pimp mobiles of the time. It has only been in recent years that I've come to love the design but never with a vinyl top.
@@j.sayler6330 And you could use the sun to fry eggs under that enormous rear window!
I love these. We had an elderly neighbor and her daughter would come from out of state to visit and always had beautiful cars. In 1971 she and her husband arrived in a brown 1971 Riviera and I was hooked! Thanks for this video, Adam, a treat like all your others.
I need to add a couple of things re this Riviera. The daughter and her husband ordered and bought what they wanted, it wasn't to a price: 1) Their Riviera was a slicktop so they obviously agreed with Bill Mitchell. 2) This was the only car they owned in my memory with blackwall tires. Why they went that look I have no idea. I just remember the car got your attention in a good way. I remember my mother, who cared nothing about cars, commenting that she really liked it. I hate when I get started on cars! LOL
I never knew there was any controversy. I’ve always loved the looks!
There's no way one of those cars could be nearby without drawing attention. They sold prolifically in Detroit. I think they also received favorable contemporary press for overall handling and braking as well. Fifty years later, they still shine bright.
My father had a new '71 Riviera. It was copper with Buick road wheels. Over the years he was often asked if he would sell it. He refused until December '79. He should have slept on it because the next morning he regretted having sold it.
Oh Adam , this is one of my true ALL-TIME: Favorite cars! A big, LUXURY Corvette type car!
im a die hard ford guy but i would kill for a boattail riviera, one of the coolest cars ever built
The boat tail has always been one of my favorite cars.
I remember when these first came out. To say they were shocking is an understatement. Like the bustle-back Seville, you either loved it or hated it...There really was no in-between!
True.
I love the boat tail 1971 Riviera, but I can't stand the second generation Seville
I dont associate with Buke-Riv boattail haters. 🙂
100%. I kinda liked the bustle-back Seville personally.
@@reasbey I hated it when it first came out...Now I love it! It's funny how a few decades can change our perspective!
The nationwide UAW strike of 1970 resulted in total production shutdown just as the all-new 1971 GM full-sized cars were being rolled out for distribution. The local Buick dealer took out an ad in the newspaper to announce delivery of the only 1971 Riviera in town. It remained the only '71 Riviera until Thanksgiving 1970. Dad and me - we both loved that boattail Riv!
Wonderful and insightful video. Gerry Hirshberg said the upsizing of this design was the most painful experience in his career. RIP Gerry Hirshberg.
A friend of mine bought the '71 as a present to himself upon getting his first job. Your video highlights the beauty of it's exterior (which certainly desrves praise and attention - it retained more of the lines from the concept clay models than most vehicles), but what blew my mind he first time I sat in my friend's car was the luxury feel of its interior. It felt SO high-end - no doubt a call back to it's planned LeSabre roots.
I consider it to be one of the most beautiful car designs of the 70's - even more than the Old's Cutlasses of the same years.
Absolutely Gorgeous! Have never heard anyone say these were anything other than gorgeous...Back when Detroit still knew how to design cars (and were briefly allowed to in 1971)...
As a teenager, I had the opportunity to drive a 72 Riviera from rural Maryland to Ohio and back. It had plenty of power, and it was a smooth ride. It felt like a souped up land yacht, but way more nimble than my Mom's mark 3 Lincoln. Thanks for refreshing my recollection of those good old days!
This was such a unique car. Gm had some cool design's back in these years. The Eldo, the toronado, and the coupe deville, and many Pontiacs.
I had a 71 and it drove like a dream. I bought it used in 1984 and it was very reliable. It broke down once on me and it was just a bad external fuel pump which was easy and cheap to replace. What a great cruiser.
My dad had a black over red...I fell in love with cars ever since
I love them. For those who do not, drive one, that experience might change your mind.
I was *smitten* on first seeing a '71 in my early teens. Beside a '55 to '57 Buick Roadmaster, its sweep-spear lineage is striking. I for one (only one?) love its size and visual heft.
My best friend in high schools Father had a 1971 Riviera GS. He used to let us borrow it on Weekend nights. Man, we had a great time in thar car! Smooth, fast and comfy interior for the girls. The girls loved it!! You could smoke the tires at will in that car. This was in 1974/1975. We thought we were so cool!! His Father was just about the nicest, coolest adult I had ever met at that time. I stayed friends with my friend's father for decades.
I remember Dan Franklin came to see my Dad in a boat-tail Riviera in the mid-70s. I was just a kid, but still appreciated the design of the boat tail.
Beautifully designed car...not like the boxes they're designing and selling now. I was privileged to 'babysit' one of these for an uncle when I was 18. OMG! I've never forgotten how wonderful it was to drive, to be seen in. It was a dream! The car was so 'futuristic'.
Great looking car, if only cars would look as good as this today?.
Love the boat tail Riviera, a design classic. Thanks for the video Adam!
Few cars could boast asphyxiation as a no-cost option! I only have to look at a boat tail Riv to go breathless, what a beauty!
Awesome, you finally are covering one of my favorites. If this had been built on the GP / Monte Carlo chassis it would be one of the all-time desirable classics of the era! I had a 71 in college in the mid 80s…
Would have been smaller in size tho. Is that correct?
@@MikeyLopez-yp7oy yes, it would have been the size of a 71 Gran Prix, i.e. a 'long' GM intermediate...
My dad and I were at the Buick dealer's in '73, looking (well I was drooling) at a beautiful garnet red Riviera with a matching leather (or vinyl) interior. I held my breath as the haggling commenced but alas, we left without it. On the way home, Dad told me they were $50 too high. FIFTY DOLLARS!!! Dad laughed at my disgruntled expression for decades. You would have pried that car out of my cold dead hands! Although to be truthful, I much prefer the '71 and '72. But still...arrrrgh!
73 got those battering ram bumpers and a re design i drove a 18k 71 in 1974 and rode like a dream
David Hall $50 Dollars Ha ha . You were there to see it so can understand how it was back then . $50 could buy a lot back in those Days . In 1974 my mother and I went to the Ford Dealership just looking at Vans . My Father needed a service Van and mind you we Were just Looking . Ford Econoline e100 Basic . I was just a Kid but would throw in a question now and then and the Hungry salesman would get Excited . We had no plans to buy but were there for 3 hours and every time we headed for the Door the slaesman went Nutz . The new Vans original great price was $ 4000. We would go use the phone and come back to Battle , one call was to just say Hello to my Grandmother . We left with the Van being sold for $ 3100 . We worked the Guy over and got a quarter of the price knocked off for a New Van . The Dealership sold only 2 vehicles that Day , they were Hungry . $50 bought a lot of pride Back then.
These cars pack a powerful punch. I say that from experience. Back in the 70’s, I was sitting at a light, in my 65 ford wagon, behind a flatbed. A 1972 Buick Rivera came flying around a bed and slammed into me. I only had time to turn my wheel. He pushed me past the truck and he ended up further than I. He said he worked a double shift and was tired. He never hit his brakes. I had a dent in my tailgate, he had front damage and broken motor mounts. I drove home, he got towed.
I agree with you, Adam: the original '71 Riviera concept proposal would've made for a stunningly beautiful production car. Maybe it was TOO stunning and beautiful to have survived GM divisional rivalries & jealousies in the day. The Silver Arrow show car was also beautiful.
Bought a 71 Halloween 84 @ A Toyota dealership! $2,000! It was a one owner GS car White with a black vinyl top and black guts owned it for about 15 years, and sold it for $4,000. What a dumbass! Wish I still had that old river boat!
the production car still looks like a concept proposal.
I was working a part time job in 1992, the other fellow co- worker and I in that hardware store on break ( meal) gave me a ride in a rather ratty looking ‘73 , maroon color. Even beat up and rough , it still looked impressive with that tail . It was probably beautiful brand new . Thank you for bringing this car up in an episode, brings back memories!
Lemme tell you, I am a huge '63 Corvette, so it was easy to completely be bowled over in love with my first view of the car, a 1971 Silver Metallic one as the main attraction in the Buick dealership. It was like what A BENTLEY Continental S2 would look like if it was transported from the 50's. Stunning, with those beautiful chrome spider wheels. I'd love to find one now, with the monster motor. And, yes, I HATED vinyl tops on this car.
Thank you for this wonderful history! My parents had a new 1965, and then a new 1969 that I got for my first car a few years later. I truly love these. Even the 1971 versions are among my favorites! This is an awesome channel!!!
Always loved these Rivieras eversince is was a kid seeing them in the 80s. By then most of them were already worn and faded, but I saw the beauty in the design. Thanks for a great review Adam. 👍
You are approaching the title of professional narrator. Your videos are rapidly increasing in professionalism.
👏👏👏
As a previous owner of a '72 I can say that the '71 and '72 did indeed use the same bumpers, although the optional bumper guards would make them look different.
From the day that I first saw one I became a huge fan. True, I have heard many times that you either love it or hate it. Put me down as loving it!
I had a '72 boat tail in '72. It was the best "road car" I've ever owned. The oil embargo in the '70s caused me to sell it to a co-worker. I still think about how much I loved that car.
As a teenager at the time, I remember not being a big fan of the boattail Riv. But in retrospect, I have come to appreciate how different it was in an erra when cars were starting to all look the same. The front and rear ends looked best in 1971, the car looked best without rubstrips, and Mitchell was right... it looks much cleaner without the vinyl roof. I actually like the Silver Arrow III concept better than the original A-body concept. And I still remember how torquey the Buick 455 felt even as a low compression smog motor. Thanks for the memories Adam!
Drove a 72 for several years. Loved that car and so did all who saw it. Achilles heel for mine was the fuel pump. I had to change it so often, I kept a spare in the trunk along with the tools to change it. Got really good at it and could do it in less than 10 minutes on the side of the road. I could never find a long and straight enough piece of road to wind it out. Going over 100mph was a regular event!! 😁😁😁
My best buddy’s Dad owned a 1971 Boat tail Rivera, I loved that car, it was handsome. Still is.
I’ve been waiting for you to upload some thing on the greatness of the boat tail. My dad had a 1972 and I was literally just talking with him about it 20 minutes before I opened up my phone to look at TH-cam videos and lo and behold Adam uploaded exactly what we were talking about. Way to go buddy! Keep it rolling. Can’t wait for you to do some thing on the 70-73 Monte Carlo
The boattail designs are sporty, progressive, and elegant. Two thumbs up!
Thank you SO MUCH for including the images of the original A-body proposal! For years I've heard this story but was never able to find any photos or drawings.
The 71 Riviera was indeed revolutionary in design, like the 66 Tornado & the Bustle back Seville, you either loved it or hated it!!!! Thanks Adam for sharing another exciting video!!! 👍👍🙂
My Dad drove the boat tails as demos, he was GM at a Buick dealership in Memphis. As kids we loved these cars, UTTERLY COOL.
Love it! Love it! Love it! The MOST creative and beautiful design ever to come out of a GM factory in recent times!
Adam, I just love your videos. These are the cars I grew up with. Your knowledge about these vehicles is top notch.
Bill Mitchell was also responsible for the full-size Clamshell wagons 71 - 76
This is a fantastic looking car. I love it.
My parents had a 1972 Riviera. It was a beautiful bronze with beige top and leather interior. 455 engine. It got up and went, I remember. I'd love to have that car!!!
This was a nice, Neo-Classic design right off the showroom floor that could not only be had for much less than a contemporary Stutz Blackhawk, it was also more tastefully rendered. As a model builder, I wonder why there has never been a 1/25th scale, injection molded "3 in 1 kit" kit from AMT or MPC back when it was a new design. I hope the people at "Round 2" are paying attention . . . .
Thanks for posting this!
my favorite riv is the boats,especially 73. I fell in love with the cars after seeing a 73 being trashed in the 1974 movie thunderbolt and lightfoot starring jeff bridges and clint esatwood.
I guess it's just one of those things you either love or hate right off the bat. I personally think it's absolutely beautiful! 🔥
Excellent video, Adam!
You might clarify that the Silver Arrow III was purely a concept car, not produced. Saying it was introduced at an auto show might imply to a novice that he could actually find one today!
You can indeed find one…just one
Being Aussie I’ve never seen one in real life but as impractical as the boot looked it did really did look really cool and the car as a whole looked gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing. Personally I will never be a fan of vinyl roofs as they were rust traps so I’d have to side with Bill Mitchell there.
funny enough neither had I until today. I'm an Aussie too and spent a great 30 mins driving behind and beside one of these beasts. left hand drive, a couple of mods. Def made Sunday Sydney traffic bearable 😂.
Fantastic design!
When I saw the '71s, I instantly recongnized the '57 Buick theme.
The deeply curved beltline and roof was updated beautifully. When I saw this car, I was so glad to see a hat tip to those earlier styling ques .
Yeah, I guess folks either loved or hated this extreme design. I only rode in one of them. Believe or not, the pastor at our local church had one! Cool pastor indeed
Had a 73 boat tail from about 05 until about 08 my favorite of the three years. The low compression 455 were still pretty torquey!
My parent's friends had a boat-tail when I was a kid. I adored that car. Thought it was some kind of wild spaceship. Still love the body style to this day.
I'm on the love it side! It stood out from all the other 1971 offerings. It did have a large amount of horizontal surfaces, though. Didn't know it was originally intended to be a smaller car. That would have been even better.
I vaguely remember them - and I like the look, especially the 1973 model. I'd bet it was a beast to drive, with that big engine.
I have a collection of classic cars and the Riviera by Buick is by far one of my favorites. I own a 1973 in Burnt Coral. Absolutely gorgeous.
Way back in automotive history, I was a big fan of late-twenties, early-thirties Classic cars. Every manufacturer of fine cars had an offering that could be considered a Classic. This Buick Rivera Boat Tail recalls the Classic Era perfectly.
These were beautiful cars and wonderful driving cars. 1971 were the best looking.
Unlike my dislike of the 80/85 Seville I really like these Rivs. The rear _fits_ with the front and side styling.
Probably my favorite design
love it some days ... hate it other days. Hard to make sense of that.
Very nice Baroque styling
Excellent , Excellent .... Sharp Classic Buick Style , Luxury & Swagg In 73 .... I Was In Junior High School , When I Saw 1 Of These In My Neighborhood & To Me That Was A Nice Looking Buick 👍 👍
I love the full size GM with big block engines.
One of the few cars where the production car looks better than the studio versions. Love all three yrs.
Agreed!
One off the most beautiful cars ever made.
Once owned a 73 boat tail. One of GM's best designs ever!
My dad recalled getting rides to school in a neighbor's Riviera in the 70s and noting how hot it was sitting in the back seat under that big wraparound window.
I owned a 71. Loved it. Had a 69 also.
Loved the sound opening up the quadrajet in my '71. My first car in 1987.
My first car was a bright red 72 Rivera. The car was 10 years older then me. Loved it.
As a young man I visited the US in about 1980. Saw one of these and was blown away by it. A bit like when I first saw a Jensen Interceptor. Had to make do with my rusty old Vauxhall Ventora. Then decades of driving rubbish until I got a Jaguar XJ, now have F Pace SVR.
I graduated from highschool in 1979. That summer a friend and I were sitting on the wall across the street from the pizza and grinder shop in our town. Up pulls a boat tail Buick. One of our classmates got out of car. We got up to get a look at the car. I noticed that the cat had a 4 speed manual. 3 pedals confirmed this. The hood was opened to show off the motor. 421 cid Pontiac with (3) two bbl carbs. Alan bought the car from a widow in his neighborhood. His Dad called the garage he trusted for a tow truck. Dad didn't trust the brakes because the car sat for a few years. The garage owner wanted the 455 cid motor. Traded the Pontiac motor and manual trans. This car was now what it should have been: Big block with a 4 speed.
This car was the coolest when my dad graduated highschool. He could afford it though. So about 25-30 years later, when i was in highschool, he bought one. He drove me every day to school in it. By far one of the coolest and HEAVIEST ways to get to class.
Thanks Adam for an insider's look at this controversial Riviera generation. The side sweep spear or 'check mark' was used for most of the Fifties, but mainly the '54-'57 with this same dip down. On those it's beautiful, but isn't the same actual contour as on the '71-'73 Riv. It's my favorite aspect of this car. It would be an easy thing to implement on current Buicks to make them look more like Buicks. Never mind, nothing matters now. Forget it.
This car from back in the day was and still is in a class by itself. Very powerful engine for that year.
@Luishous the Werewolf no for today that horsepower ain’t nothing. I’m sure that was factory horsepower but I know it can be tuned just right. I’m from Georgia where we have a lot of gear heads down here.
I have 72 Riv GS and a 68 Olds Toro. They were my daily drivers in the 1990s. Both are waiting for my retirement to be restored. Both are great cars and both were fast. The Olds was fast off the line. The Riv was faster going from 40 to 100 than 0 to 60. The Riv had a nicer ride.
Very nice video and very good information! When I made some researching about those Boattail Rivieras, I've heard that trunk lid louvres accounted for some severe rust issues on cars trunk lids due to the accumulation of leaves and the dirt build up, clogging water outlets.
Haven't seen one in years. They were/are a badass car. Beautiful machines.
I LOVE IT!!!!.....BEST DESIGN SINCE THE LESABRE PROTOTYPE
FINALLY SOMEONE HAD THE BALLS TO PUT A PROTOTYPE ON THE STREET!!!!...MY ONLY PROBLEM IS THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD A SPLIT BUMPER AND LET THAT GRILL SHINE!!!
That prototype is unbelievably sleek and cool.
I really loved the styling of the ‘69 and ‘70 model years the most. 👍👍👍
I had a '73 Riv. One of the BEST cars I have ever owned !
Gorgeous car. I’m glad it ended up exactly as it did. I love it.
1:25 Gotta love the Westminster typeface on the "ADVANCE DESIGN" sign. It was popular on scifi book covers of the era. Make it look vaguely computery so it shouts "Future!" .
Ok for what it's worth I love this look. Now being an Australian I doubt if there would have been a new one in the country in 1971. But since the collector car era one could expect to see one at a car show. Mind you it's been years since I have seen one in the flesh. Best year for me...1971