I had a 73 & never had the chance to enjoy it. The wheel rolled away while I was driving it. Luckily I was only going 5-10 mph. Anyway the car needed a lot of work and I can afford it at the time. If I ever have enough money I would think about getting one of these.(71-73 Boat tail riviera) I have to except America no longer makes cars like this. Man I love early 70's cars. They were safe enough, had speed, comfortable, and offered the pillarless hardtop & full size convertibles . I just don't understand why they don't offer these cars anymore. I feel it's been said the government forced vehicles to downsize.I Noticed this in the late 70s, except take a look on the road and you have all these gas guzzling SUV's. It makes no sense. Why is it only a company like Mercedes-Benz offers a pillarless hardtop? Getting back to the Buick all's I can tell you is the 71/72 rear is very strong looking the 73 is more mild ( less pointy), but the 73 front looks nicer with the mild look. The parking lights are even with the headlights. It looks quite nice at dusk time.
The boat tail Rivieras were a bold retro-design; and they are much larger than they appear in pictures! The GS (Grand Sport) is the one to get!
Detroit's cars were downsized in the 70's & 80's due to two traumatic events: the gas crisis in 1973 (Arab oil embargo) and again in 1979 (fall of Shah of Iran). The government did step in and enacted CAFE regulations in 1975. Sales of big cars slowed considerably, and Detroit responded with the Dodge Omni, Chevy Chevette, and Ford Fiesta.
Pillar-less hardtops disappeared mostly because of rollover concerns. Don't forget, however, that the associated rattles plus wind & water leaks were less acceptable to consumers as cars evolved during the 70's. I believe that Chrysler's 1978 full-size C-bodies were amongst the last true hardtops.
I always thought the front end of these cars did not match the back. the angle should have been reveresed or straight like the 67-68 skylark. It had a mean looking back but a goofy dumb face cront.
Best of OPC. 
7 comments:
Hey guys! If you want to see the vint-
age drivetest of this car, go to youtube
and then type in "Vintage drive tests
1972 Buick Riviera GS" Enjoy!
That is a really cool Riviera. Nice shots.
Huggy Bear approves.
I had a 73 & never had the chance to enjoy it. The wheel rolled away while I was driving it. Luckily I was only going 5-10 mph. Anyway the car needed a lot of work and I can afford it at the time. If I ever have enough money I would think about getting one of these.(71-73 Boat tail riviera) I have to except America no longer makes cars like this. Man I love early 70's cars. They were safe enough, had speed, comfortable, and offered the pillarless hardtop & full size convertibles . I just don't understand why they don't offer these cars anymore. I feel it's been said the government forced vehicles to downsize.I Noticed this in the late 70s, except take a look on the road and you have all these gas guzzling SUV's. It makes no sense. Why is it only a company like Mercedes-Benz offers a pillarless hardtop?
Getting back to the Buick all's I can tell you is the 71/72 rear is very strong looking the 73 is more mild ( less pointy), but the 73 front looks nicer with the mild look. The parking lights are even with the headlights. It looks quite nice at dusk time.
Damn nice patina, makes it look even more sinister.
The boat tail Rivieras were a bold retro-design; and they are much larger than they appear in pictures! The GS (Grand Sport) is the one to get!
Detroit's cars were downsized in the 70's & 80's due to two traumatic events: the gas crisis in 1973 (Arab oil embargo) and again in 1979 (fall of Shah of Iran). The government did step in and enacted CAFE regulations in 1975. Sales of big cars slowed considerably, and Detroit responded with the Dodge Omni, Chevy Chevette, and Ford Fiesta.
Pillar-less hardtops disappeared mostly because of rollover concerns. Don't forget, however, that the associated rattles plus wind & water leaks were less acceptable to consumers as cars evolved during the 70's. I believe that Chrysler's 1978 full-size C-bodies were amongst the last true hardtops.
I always thought the front end of these cars did not match the back. the angle should have been reveresed or straight like the 67-68 skylark. It had a mean looking back but a goofy dumb face cront.
Post a Comment