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'm the proud owner of a 71 Rivi 455 ci which I acquired from my next door neighbor and the original owner after 12 years of trying and it had 46K original miles and had all the original paperwork and service records when I got it, it was a Fla. car originally so 0 rust ! I've did a complete restoration stripping everything down to bare metal and starting fresh with just the main body left on the frame and the interior completely stripped too with a color change to a 1983 GM Aztec Bronze color. The only thing left now is recovering the seats and a couple minor cooling and A/C things left to do. I've left it stock other than a set of stainless 3 dump side pipes which really sets it off even more and added the old school Monroe air adjustable air shocks all around so I can adjust ride height and ride quality for mountain road driving, stiffer GS springs and stiffer sway bars all around,, now there's a huge difference in performance for sure! It handles almost as well as my BB Z28 Camaro now and I can raise and lower the whole car by about 5" which really gives it a aggressive stance when lowered. It's defiantly a head turner at the car shows and I've won a ton of 1st , 2nd & 3rd place trophies even though it's not even 100% done yet. I did do a bunch of performance upgrades to the suspension and motor upgrades bringing it up to 410HP which gets me high 12 second runs at the strip. So it's not only classy, but makes lots of people wonder just how I got this big old boat of a Rivi to go and handle like it does and with the Cherry bomb mufflers and cam it has a SWEET loping big block sound that is ,,,,Just Killer!!! When asked I just tell people it just took lots of bucks and time,,which it has ! Lots & Lots ! LOL I've been restoring classics professionally for >55 years and it's getting real close to concourse levels at this point so we'll see just how well it does at this Summers shows. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but by my research I've only been able to find around 1600 registered ones world wide of the 28 something K non GS ones produced, so if so, there also quite rare to boot if that is in fact true ? I gather there very popular in the Scandinavian countries with several huge Rivera clubs there and it appears there's more registered there than in the US? For sure though mine is the only 71 registered in VT with only 2 other 73's I know of. I have 3 people so far that have told me that if I ever decided to sell it , they wanted it and I have 2 standing offers of 28K and 30K for it at this point. But they'll have to fight my daughter first, she has first dibs and loves it too. Lucille is indeed a rare bird.
In my opinion, as I have had many of these boat-tails in the past. They are the best looking and the ride is and has been unmatched. I would love to have another one someday.
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."
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.
The 71-73 Riviera was and still is one of the best and most beautiful car designs. I remember when they came out. Loved it the first time I saw it, still do.
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 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 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.
Nice piece! I still enjoy taking my 1972 Cop Riv for a drive, or to car shows. My father bought it new in 72 and used it as a Sheriff's Dept patrol unit for it's first 2 years of life. Now it's my family heirloom!
My grandfather only bought Riviera's from sometime in the mid 60s until he died. When I was really young, we ended up with the 68 Rivvy when he bought a boattail in 73 (I think, I was pretty young). He kept that for many years but traded it in for a box job in the early 80s. I wasn't old enough to drive yet but damn I would have liked to have that baby. It was even worse when my grandmother (on my dad's side) had a 67 Impala she wanted to give to me and my dad told her "Ahh..he doesn't need it" and she sold it for $250 to a neighbor. I loved that car, too.
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.
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!
My grandfather worked at Buick all his life as an executive (his father was a chassis engineer for the company when it was founded). In 1971 he ordered a custom Riviera before he retired. He actually walked the car down the assembly line. It was painted a bronze color (no vinyl top) with a white interior and had a special HO 455 engine with a flip pitch torque converter and heavy duty TH400 transmission. I remember the dash inserts were like a brushed aluminum and were really showy and the outside of the car was smooth without an accent stripe and it had wire wheel hubcaps instead of the stamped steel wheels most had. The entire car was special order. Years later I got the car from my mom and kept it for several years. It was an incredibly fast car for its size and on several occasions I stuck the speedometer needle down into the turn signal hole, well past the 120 MPH mark. My only regret was letting my mom have it back and her alcoholic boyfriend destroyed it.
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)...
My uncle had an all gold boat tail Rivera and I remember the first time I saw it - WOW! I was 16 and he taught me how to drive in it.....a fond memory of a time gone by! Great informative video - thanks.
Watching Mr. Burns our middle school math teacher roll into the faculty parking lot in his cranberry red ‘71 this car looked massive. As young boys we didn’t realize the boattail was inspired by previous designs. We called it “puckerback”-with a rear looking like it was getting ready to kiss the car behind it. 😄
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.
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!
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!
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'll never forget my first glimpse of the '71 through the window at Wallace Buick in Portland. Dad bought a '71 Centurion coupe -- an excellent car -- but the Riviera was the stuff of dreams. During the years that followed, I often said that the boattail Riviera was one of the last of the genuinely distinctive larger American automobiles. And I found myself thinking during the 1980's and 1990's that it would be wise to scoop up a fine example of the '71 Riviera. I was right -- prices for quality '71 and '72 Rivieras have risen rapidly during the last few years.
Last but not least I think the fucking long sweeping lines on the front fenders and rear quarter panels are just phenomenal along the V shaped rear glass
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!!!
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.
They are the most beautiful Rivieras ever made. i owned two 1971 Rivieras back in the day that was my favorite because it had the vents in the trunk lid which the '72 did not have. And the '73 boattail wasnt pointy enough.
Boat tail Buick is the coolest thing that they ever built. Thousands of low riders were built from them. I had a friend in the 80s who would buy them here in Canada and ship them south. He made a small fortune. I always wanted one,but couldn’t afford one.
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.
Thank you! The ‘71 was / is an absolute masterpiece. A midnight blue GS with a set of the Buick chrome & black ‘star’ rims is, arguably, one of GM’s crown jewels, along with the ‘65 Riviera. Little known fact, the boat tail Riviera was one of if not the first to offer rear seat shoulder belts and a basic version of traction control (MaxTrac). 🤓 Keep up the excellent work!
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'.
Today it's a bigger screen, a higher price, and more exterior trim gone or blacked out. Oh, and more safety tech that takes over the vehicle. Oh, and mostly only black, white, silver, and grays for exterior colors. Oh, and only black (for the most part) for an interior sometimes with the stunning option of contrasting stitching (generally only available at an extra charge + plus other restrictions + even more blacked out trim and required blacked out wheels). It would be nice to see some other models offered and marketed appropriately that are not SUV's in the today's world. I had a 1971 Riviera for a brief time early on. The previous owner had abused it and it really needed a full restoration that I could not afford. But, the lines of the car made it distinct and sleek. Really set it apart from the other vehicles...and at the time it was new they didn't charge an arm and a leg for this!
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.
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.
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 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!!!
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.
I’ve loved the Boattail since it’s debut. I was 14 years old then. Well as of today I am a proud owner of a 1972. I take possession on Friday. In 2 long days. Haha. Keep wishing some day you’ll get one ……. Big Tony
When I was at Fort Hood Tx in the early 1980's I was part of 2nd Armored Div S3 shop. My boss, Sergeant Major SW had one of these. One of our crew, Rudy, nicknamed it Battlestar Galactica 🤣🤣
I was at a kids soccer game in Dallas in about 2001. I heard tires spinning and squeeling and I looked up to see a car in the street surrounded by smoke and just sitting still smoking the tires. It finally began to roll and out from all the smoke emerged a boat tail Rivy. It must have been a GS because it had an exhaust system on it and sounded very healthy....
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!
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. 👍
This is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, particularly the '71. The Grand Prix was also pretty, but not nearly as unique. I hear it also has a beautiful ride. It's corporate sisters were also striking, perfect examples of the best America could offer. I love the Tornado and El Dorado, but my favorite will always be the Riv.
I owned a 1969 Riviera for many years. It was a great car. It was also considered one of the most classic of the Riviera line. Very dependable car with powerful 455 cu in engine. White top with grey bottom and white interior. Very pretty........
I think that younger folks, like the uploader of this video, that didn't see these new, have just a different reaction than those of us that saw them new. They were very radical when they came out, no one was thinking, gee, too bad about all the compromises. They were just beautiful cars, unlike anything else on the road in 1971
I think this car is one of the most beautiful ever made....It would be really cool to build a downsized replica fiberglass / carbon fiber body, and use a 2020 Corvette platform.
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!
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.
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 RUclips 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
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!! 😁😁😁
Thanks much, for paying tribute, to one of the most controversial, and most beautiful personal luxury coupes, from GM, the stylish, luxurious Riviera boat tail series 👍 As for me, I prefer the 1973, without a vinyl top, with bucket seats and a console, and in darker colors on the exterior, and lighter colors on the interior. I to, would enjoy, owning and driving a 1973 edition.
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.
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!" .
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 !!
It's arguably the most beautiful car ever designed.
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.
I'm the proud owner of a 71 Rivi 455 ci which I acquired from my next door neighbor and the original owner after 12 years of trying and it had 46K original miles and had all the original paperwork and service records when I got it, it was a Fla. car originally so 0 rust !
I've did a complete restoration stripping everything down to bare metal and starting fresh with just the main body left on the frame and the interior completely stripped too with a color change to a 1983 GM Aztec Bronze color. The only thing left now is recovering the seats and a couple minor cooling and A/C things left to do. I've left it stock other than a set of stainless 3 dump side pipes which really sets it off even more and added the old school Monroe air adjustable air shocks all around so I can adjust ride height and ride quality for mountain road driving, stiffer GS springs and stiffer sway bars all around,, now there's a huge difference in performance for sure! It handles almost as well as my BB Z28 Camaro now and I can raise and lower the whole car by about 5" which really gives it a aggressive stance when lowered.
It's defiantly a head turner at the car shows and I've won a ton of 1st , 2nd & 3rd place trophies even though it's not even 100% done yet. I did do a bunch of performance upgrades to the suspension and motor upgrades bringing it up to 410HP which gets me high 12 second runs at the strip. So it's not only classy, but makes lots of people wonder just how I got this big old boat of a Rivi to go and handle like it does and with the Cherry bomb mufflers and cam it has a SWEET loping big block sound that is ,,,,Just Killer!!!
When asked I just tell people it just took lots of bucks and time,,which it has ! Lots & Lots ! LOL I've been restoring classics professionally for >55 years and it's getting real close to concourse levels at this point so we'll see just how well it does at this Summers shows.
I'm not sure if this is true or not, but by my research I've only been able to find around 1600 registered ones world wide of the 28 something K non GS ones produced, so if so, there also quite rare to boot if that is in fact true ? I gather there very popular in the Scandinavian countries with several huge Rivera clubs there and it appears there's more registered there than in the US?
For sure though mine is the only 71 registered in VT with only 2 other 73's I know of.
I have 3 people so far that have told me that if I ever decided to sell it , they wanted it and I have 2 standing offers of 28K and 30K for it at this point. But they'll have to fight my daughter first, she has first dibs and loves it too. Lucille is indeed a rare bird.
Once owned a 73 boat tail. One of GM's best designs ever!
That thing is soo exaggerated, that it actually looks good. It surely made a statement back in the 70s, as it does today.
My uncle, the absolute coolest man I knew growing up, had a '73 with the 455. If I had to have a road trip car...that would be it.
In my opinion, as I have had many of these boat-tails in the past. They are the best looking and the ride is and has been unmatched. I would love to have another one someday.
Totally agree on the ride. Rode in one as a little girl, and it rode like a dream.
But gas mileage was about 8mpg.
Me and my dad are restoring a 72 and I love how it just floats on the road and you can just steer it with your finger
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)
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!
What a neat looking car! They still look fantastic. With the 455 4 barrel it moves. Thanks for a great video!
The 71-73 Riviera was and still is one of the best and most beautiful car designs. I remember when they came out. Loved it the first time I saw it, still do.
'm from Germany and have a 73 Buick Riviera Boattail. The best car I've ever had. Top condition with original 84,000 miles
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!
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
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 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.
Loved the sound opening up the quadrajet in my '71. My first car in 1987.
Nice piece! I still enjoy taking my 1972 Cop Riv for a drive, or to car shows. My father bought it new in 72 and used it as a Sheriff's Dept patrol unit for it's first 2 years of life. Now it's my family heirloom!
My grandfather only bought Riviera's from sometime in the mid 60s until he died. When I was really young, we ended up with the 68 Rivvy when he bought a boattail in 73 (I think, I was pretty young). He kept that for many years but traded it in for a box job in the early 80s. I wasn't old enough to drive yet but damn I would have liked to have that baby. It was even worse when my grandmother (on my dad's side) had a 67 Impala she wanted to give to me and my dad told her "Ahh..he doesn't need it" and she sold it for $250 to a neighbor. I loved that car, too.
That Silver Arrow 3 is gorgeous, ain't no other epithet fit to describe it. Absolutely stunning.
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.
The boat tail has always been one of my favorite cars.
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 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!
Wonderful and insightful video. Gerry Hirshberg said the upsizing of this design was the most painful experience in his career. RIP Gerry Hirshberg.
My grandfather worked at Buick all his life as an executive (his father was a chassis engineer for the company when it was founded). In 1971 he ordered a custom Riviera before he retired. He actually walked the car down the assembly line. It was painted a bronze color (no vinyl top) with a white interior and had a special HO 455 engine with a flip pitch torque converter and heavy duty TH400 transmission. I remember the dash inserts were like a brushed aluminum and were really showy and the outside of the car was smooth without an accent stripe and it had wire wheel hubcaps instead of the stamped steel wheels most had. The entire car was special order. Years later I got the car from my mom and kept it for several years. It was an incredibly fast car for its size and on several occasions I stuck the speedometer needle down into the turn signal hole, well past the 120 MPH mark. My only regret was letting my mom have it back and her alcoholic boyfriend destroyed it.
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)...
I've had both a 1972 and a 1973 Riviera. They are fantastic driving and comfortable cars
I have always, always, loved this body style.
Haven't seen one in years. They were/are a badass car. Beautiful machines.
My dad had a black over red...I fell in love with cars ever since
My uncle had an all gold boat tail Rivera and I remember the first time I saw it - WOW! I was 16 and he taught me how to drive in it.....a fond memory of a time gone by! Great informative video - thanks.
I think these were super cool looking!
Watching Mr. Burns our middle school math teacher roll into the faculty parking lot in his cranberry red ‘71 this car looked massive. As young boys we didn’t realize the boattail was inspired by previous designs. We called it “puckerback”-with a rear looking like it was getting ready to kiss the car behind it. 😄
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.
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!
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!
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'll never forget my first glimpse of the '71 through the window at Wallace Buick in Portland. Dad bought a '71 Centurion coupe -- an excellent car -- but the Riviera was the stuff of dreams. During the years that followed, I often said that the boattail Riviera was one of the last of the genuinely distinctive larger American automobiles. And I found myself thinking during the 1980's and 1990's that it would be wise to scoop up a fine example of the '71 Riviera. I was right -- prices for quality '71 and '72 Rivieras have risen rapidly during the last few years.
Last but not least I think the fucking long sweeping lines on the front fenders and rear quarter panels are just phenomenal along the V shaped rear glass
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!!!
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.
Love these Rivieras. Thanks for the clarification on E bodies in relationship to B bodies
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.
Here is the answer - This design is EXCELLENT.
They are the most beautiful Rivieras ever made. i owned two 1971 Rivieras back in the day that was my favorite because it had the vents in the trunk lid which the '72 did not have. And the '73 boattail wasnt pointy enough.
Boat tail Buick is the coolest thing that they ever built. Thousands of low riders were built from them. I had a friend in the 80s who would buy them here in Canada and ship them south. He made a small fortune. I always wanted one,but couldn’t afford one.
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! 🔥
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.
Mine too was copper color with the Buick road wheels, road like a dream, I regret selling it, just like regret selling my 1961 Thunderbird!
Love the boat tail Riviera, a design classic. Thanks for the video Adam!
Thank you! The ‘71 was / is an absolute masterpiece. A midnight blue GS with a set of the Buick chrome & black ‘star’ rims is, arguably, one of GM’s crown jewels, along with the ‘65 Riviera. Little known fact, the boat tail Riviera was one of if not the first to offer rear seat shoulder belts and a basic version of traction control (MaxTrac). 🤓 Keep up the excellent work!
Thank you!
someone gave me a 72 Boattail, it was one of the best cars I ever owned... thank you Dottie xo
You are approaching the title of professional narrator. Your videos are rapidly increasing in professionalism.
👏👏👏
Excellent video, Adam!
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'.
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.
I always liked the boat tail Buick. Was neat to see some shape and not another square go done the road.
Today it's a bigger screen, a higher price, and more exterior trim gone or blacked out. Oh, and more safety tech that takes over the vehicle. Oh, and mostly only black, white, silver, and grays for exterior colors. Oh, and only black (for the most part) for an interior sometimes with the stunning option of contrasting stitching (generally only available at an extra charge + plus other restrictions + even more blacked out trim and required blacked out wheels). It would be nice to see some other models offered and marketed appropriately that are not SUV's in the today's world. I had a 1971 Riviera for a brief time early on. The previous owner had abused it and it really needed a full restoration that I could not afford. But, the lines of the car made it distinct and sleek. Really set it apart from the other vehicles...and at the time it was new they didn't charge an arm and a leg for this!
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!
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.
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.
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...
Love these, I have a 71 here in London England
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!!!
One off the most beautiful cars ever made.
The boattail designs are sporty, progressive, and elegant. Two thumbs up!
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.
I’ve loved the Boattail since it’s debut. I was 14 years old then. Well as of today I am a proud owner of a 1972. I take possession on Friday. In 2 long days. Haha. Keep wishing some day you’ll get one ……. Big Tony
Great looking car, if only cars would look as good as this today?.
I love them. For those who do not, drive one, that experience might change your mind.
When I was at Fort Hood Tx in the early 1980's I was part of 2nd Armored Div S3 shop. My boss, Sergeant Major SW had one of these. One of our crew, Rudy, nicknamed it Battlestar Galactica 🤣🤣
I was at a kids soccer game in Dallas in about 2001. I heard tires spinning and squeeling and I looked up to see a car in the street surrounded by smoke and just sitting still smoking the tires. It finally began to roll and out from all the smoke emerged a boat tail Rivy. It must have been a GS because it had an exhaust system on it and sounded very healthy....
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!
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. 👍
This is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, particularly the '71. The Grand Prix was also pretty, but not nearly as unique. I hear it also has a beautiful ride. It's corporate sisters were also striking, perfect examples of the best America could offer. I love the Tornado and El Dorado, but my favorite will always be the Riv.
I owned a 1969 Riviera for many years. It was a great car. It was also considered one of the most classic of the Riviera line. Very dependable car with powerful 455 cu in engine. White top with grey bottom and white interior. Very pretty........
I think that younger folks, like the uploader of this video, that didn't see these new, have just a different reaction than those of us that saw them new. They were very radical when they came out, no one was thinking, gee, too bad about all the compromises. They were just beautiful cars, unlike anything else on the road in 1971
The Buick division General Manager was embarrassed by them. That’s why they only lasted 3 model years and also why the 77-78 Riv were so bland.
@@RareClassicCars so what. In 50 years I've never heard a bad word spoken about boat-tail Rivs. Everyone who's opinion matters loves these cars.
I really loved the styling of the ‘69 and ‘70 model years the most. 👍👍👍
I think this car is one of the most beautiful ever made....It would be really cool to build a downsized replica fiberglass / carbon fiber body, and use a 2020 Corvette platform.
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.
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.
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 RUclips 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
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 remember walking to school and spotting this model for the first time at a local garage. I had to take a couple laps around it .
Thanks much, for paying tribute, to one of the most controversial, and most beautiful personal luxury coupes, from GM, the stylish, luxurious Riviera boat tail series 👍 As for me, I prefer the 1973, without a vinyl top, with bucket seats and a console, and in darker colors on the exterior, and lighter colors on the interior. I to, would enjoy, owning and driving a 1973 edition.
Such a fantastic style! Daring & elegant.
Adam, I just love your videos. These are the cars I grew up with. Your knowledge about these vehicles is top notch.
I have always LOVED the 1971! Thunderbolt and Lightfoot!
I've wanted one for 40 years. I've got it all rebuilt in my head.
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.
Brilliant looking car great show mate thank you very much from Sydney Australia
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!" .
Gorgeous car. I’m glad it ended up exactly as it did. I love it.