Photo from the Cohort by nifticus392.
Just one shot to share today for this boattail Riviera. But it’s the view that matters most, isn’t it? A bit less pointy and slightly less boattaily than the ’71-’72s, but still a boattail for all purposes. And no need to remind ourselves of the less rakish ’73 front, right? If you like these, this is the angle to enjoy.
These Rivieras have appeared at CC quite a few times, most recently in a COAL series. On that installment, the boattail served as an ideal Anti-Yuppie statement during the Yuppified ’80s-’90s. An assessment most agreed with, with its dramatic looks harkening to a different automotive era.
As said, just one image to share this time, though it leaves me feeling I sort of owe you more. But just about any image of these is worth sharing. After all, this was the last year of the short-lived boattails, before reverting to safer (and somewhat desperate) styling grounds.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1971 Buick Riviera – Bill Mitchell’s Pointy Dead-End
Always did like these, although every time I see one, I’m reminded of the one that Clint & Jeff trashed in “Thunderbolt & Lightfoot!” LOL!! 🙂
https://youtu.be/E4wCieUQ46k
For me that GM head quarter let its design department running wild to creat such expressive design theme to please a very small audience. It is not a General Motor as it’s corporate name stands
You have to see a Boater in freeway traffic to appreciate the design and size of this car. Invariably, there’s the question of replacing that back glass and its cost. I imagine with a NOS piece you could pretty much name your asking price. Anyone have more on that glass and its rarity?
Dean’s Garage website posted an article yesterday on the Riviera boat tail and how Mitchell really wanted it
Auto glass is a subject I have seen little discussed. How about the crease down the center of some Riviera rear lites ? (Architectural term; not sure if it’s used in the automotive world.) From the one-off glass (or plastic ?) made for show cars, to the extreme bends in some ‘fifties windshields (Imperial ? GM at its wildest ?), to the perfect fit of quasi-spherical side glass in any number of post-2000 makes and models, this is a broad subject with any number of unanswered questions–for me, anyway.
Has it been addressed at CC, to any degree ? It wouldn’t surprise me . . .
I love all years of boat tail Buicks .
-Nate
I’ve always hated the ’71-73 Rivs, to me they’re the epitome of General Motors design philosophy: Put the money where the customer can see it. The ’63-65 Rivs were classic in an understated way, the ’73 screams “Bulgemobile” as in the National Lampoon parody.
Styling’s last hurrah,
Compound curves ran everywhere
Then GM went blah.
So true. As I’ve mentioned before, the 1981 concept AeroX, and the 1982 Camaro and Firebird, demonstrated GM could create some interesting styling for the 1980s. The design talent was available. Not utilized for their bread and butter products, during this era.
These came out when I was in college. I lived in Southern California at the time and these were seen from time to time on Hollywood Boulevard. I thought it was quite good looking, always will.
Friend of mine owned one (several decades later). Named it Geraldo. Wait for it . . .
Geraldo Riveria.
Love the Buick Rivera Boat Tail !
The Buick Division was so popular at the time , having a total sales of 400.000 cars a year I’m their heyday.
Kept thousands of people employed in poor Flint Michigan.
They offered the most luxurious to compacts.
An amazing Division & even put cars into NASCAR.
The Rivera carries Cadillac like prestige, and sold well .
When Buick had a broad demographic.
The story goes that the stodgy head of Buick at the time, didn’t like the car, and fought to have it changed..
Well , he might of not liked it , but the later versions, of the Rivera will never be remembered, or collected as this legend is !
A car of inspiration & fun.
Never really noticed the proportions had been “nipped/tucked” for the “73”. Got to look at some “Toro”, pics; see how the time period shaped them. H’mm.
Best “Riv’s” are the “Gen 1”!!
I actually prefer the ’73 rear end, the little peak is better integrated into the bumper and wide tail lamps. The front end with the impact bumper is a little too hefty. A ’73 with a ’71 front clip would be perfect.
I owned a 1972 Riviera around 1985-87, when I was attending university. It was the best care I ever had. Cream colored, with (unfortunately) a flaking off white vinyl top. Had the standard wheel covers and 55,000 miles on it. I found 4 Buick chrome road wheels in a junkyard, painted the flat black portions, cleaned them up and I was in business.
Once a mid 70s Pontiac something (Regal?) wanted to race me. We had one block to go before a red light, but I beat it off the line pretty good. All the way up to maybe 30 mph and then a cop pulled me over. Somehow I talked him into just giving me a warning this time and he did.
I guess I was ahead of most people, I got my first 72′ in 76′ after my friend came over w/ his 71 GS Stage 1. I had my own 1 week later. I didn’t stop driving Riveria’s for 10 years or so but I still bought any I could find, ended up with 9 at once! The wife thought that was excessive. They were not all drivers, I parted out 3 of them. I saved lots of parts still have 2 rear glass windows if somebody needs one.
Always liked the boat tail rear. It was the canal boat front that sunk the car for me.
I had a 1971 got it in 77 wish I had it back didn’t know what I had then