1971 Buick Riviera Boattail

The 1971 Buick Riviera featured a complete redesigned look for the first model year of its third generation. These new Rivieras were influenced by past fastback models and...

The 1971 Buick Riviera featured a complete redesigned look for the first model year of its third generation. These new Rivieras were influenced by past fastback models and featured a long-tapered hood, sleek sides, and iconic boattail rear end design. Produced for only a limited time spanning from 1971 to 1973, these famous boattail Rivieras are difficult to find today with all the right options and in good original condition!

Best known for their distinct looks, these personal luxury Buicks had plenty of appeal inside and out! These Rivieras were loaded with features to include GM's “Full-Flo” ventilation system, two large rear deck lid louvers, Buick's Max Trac limited-slip differential, wrap around dashboard, and all-vinyl bench seats with custom trim. Packing quite the punch as well with Buicks mightiest 455ci V8 engine and comfortable ride through independent coil springs for the front suspension and self-leveling pneumatic bellows over shocks for the rear, all as standard equipment.

Offered here is a very original 1971 Buick Riviera finished in Sandpiper Beige over Sandalwood vinyl interior. Powering this big boattail is its original numbers matching “TR” coded 455ci V8 engine that produced 315 horsepower and 510 lb. ft. of torque mated to a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic transmission. These high-powered luxury cars came loaded with quality standard equipment including power steering, power front disc brakes, dual remote mirrors, tilt steering wheel, rally wheels with deluxe covers, trunk & courtesy lights, electric clock, custom front shoulder & rear seatbelts, dual exhaust, and foam padded seats. There were also additional cost options available for those customers wishing to go the extra mile and making their Rivieras even more desirable and such was the case for this example. The additional options include Sonomatic AM radio, rear speakers, automatic climate control air conditioning, Soft-Ray tinted glass, door guards, 6-way power adjustable bench seating, power windows, and a vinyl roof covering which for our Buick is Dark Briar Brown to really compliment the combination of interior and exterior colors.

This Buick began its life selling new from Hurley Motor Sales Inc in Woodstock, IL on 05/13/1971 with the trade in of their 1968 Buick as partial payment. It stayed with the same original owner for many years until their estate was sold in 2008 and the Riviera had under 48,000 original miles on it at that time. It was well documented with regular maintenance performed and there is a binder of receipts and a notebook showing how serious this couple was about caring for this beautiful car. After being sold in 2008 this Riviera found its way to us after ownership from a collector in Arkansas and now shows only 51,411 miles on the odometer. During its time at our museum, we continued to care for this Buick by replacing the front & rear shocks, rebuilt the carburetor, new rear wheel brake cylinders, bled the brakes with fresh brake fluid, installed new spark plugs, distributor cap & rotor, exhaust manifold gaskets, replaced the A/C compressor, performed an engine oil change with oil filter, air filter, and fresh fuel filter.

These special years of the boattail Riviera have always had quite the following, and one in this condition with these desired options will surely help it find a new caring owner quickly. History to come with this vehicle includes the original window sticker, Protect-O-Plate warranty card, owner's manual, service manual, sales documentation, showroom brochure, copy of original title, Hurley dealer key ring and matching sticker on rear deck lid, service records back to 1983, documentation of eBay sale in 2008 to second owner, along with various Riviera information and a parts catalog. A spare rear window is also included. Thank you for your looking and please contact us directly with any questions or to schedule a viewing at our museum.