Vehicle Description
1971 Buick Riviera
The rare one-of-a-kind Buick Riviera boat-tail design only appeared
in 1971 and 1972. While achieving mixed reviews within GM and with
customers in general, the creation might have become merely a dream
proto-type never produced in quantity, although fortunately the
vehicle was scheduled for two-year production after which the
distinctive blueprint dissolved into automotive annals. Despite
being only being around for a few years these cars cemented
themselves i the history books and have a die hard following in the
car community. With its unique body lines the cars always attract
attention and are a great platform for customization and
restorations to original alike. The 1971 Buick Riviera you see here
is an absolutely beautiful classic that wraps up the perfect
combination of new and old technology. It is incredibly unique and
there isn't another one like it in the country. The entire process
was very well documented and articles were even written about
specific steps in the restoration. The car is beloved by its
current owners but unfortunately it is time for it to find a new
home. The car needs absolutely nothing but a new a driver. The
frame and body were restored between 1997 and 2002 but it has
continued to be a labor of love that has spanning all the way to
2014. Only 1 rear fender on the car required rust removal and the
piece was completely cut out and replaced with reformed steel. The
body is very straight and is painted in a Champange pearl Beige
paint throughout. All of the rubber throughout including the seals
and weatherstripping were replaced. Any trim pieces that showed any
degree of damage was replaced with new and all pieces were polished
and realigned with the body/fender fittings. During the process the
body was fully insulated throughout. All of the glass were replaced
with light green tint glass except for that distinctive back window
and windshield. The stance is perfect and the car was
conservatively lowered 2-3" using replaced precision springs and
four QA1-adjustable shocks. The car rides on the original 1971
optional 15 inch wheels with matching Champagne Pearl center
centers. All of the tires, including the spare, were replaced in
2014 with T speed rated tires.
This car is definitely one of those you could call a sleeper. It
has a vintage stock exterior/interior but pop the hood and you will
see this thing has something special going on. When starting the
build the owner wanted to marry something new with something old
and while keeping the original appearance wherever possible set out
on the path to add a ProCharger system to the original 71 455 V8
for dependable street and highway use. As any builder knows, this
process can be cumbersome. While there are system nowadays being
built to install on older motors, more rare engines like the Buick
455 don't really have the same options. It isn't a case of just
taking a ProCharger and bolting it on. The process had to be
researched, designed and implemented to insure that everything
works to its maximum capability. After embarking on this journey
the owner spent countless hours collecting research to learn all
about newly revised and improved supercharge concepts since 1998
which initially developed from aviation, specifically from WWII
Germany aviation. He even wrote articles about the process and
documented every step. The owner even took it upon himself to learn
the ends and outs of the Vacuum pump system that many experts told
him he would not even need. After enjoying the car he found that
the forced are must release/balance quickly and a belt driven
vacuum pump would equalize gasket leakage and even allow more
horsepower so guess what? He reviewed every system out there and
found the perfect one. This information is all available and a
great example of how meticulous this build was. To get an idea of
what we are talking about check out the following details taken
straight from the documentation.
Engine and Driveline
Hi-performance engine and driveline rebuild in January 2014.
Specific notations detailed articles and file.
P-1SC Stage I injected ProCharger, boosting (15-lbs) into 700hp on
hi-oct-pump gas under 5K-rpm, 2014.
GZ Motorsport CPVK104 Super Pro Vacuum Pump added to balance engine
running-pressure, 2013.
Began with 370-hp 455 seasoned Buick block (7.5-liter) with initial
stock-plus rebuild, May 2006.
Totally refurbished calibrated 400-Turbohydramatic running into
Buick 2.93 rear-end in 2007.
Four-bar positive-traction differential with one-inch front and
rear sway suspension buttress.
Distributor electronics upgraded by Hi-performance HEI plus 105-amp
alternator support.
New original cross-flow radiator added in 2008 with modified
coolant recovery.
Heat, Defrost and AC function as designed. Replaced with new AC
compressor, 2012.
On-board dash instrumentation appears and functions correctly.
P-1SC Stage I ProCharger Specifications #66699
Volute Diameter 9"
Max Supercharged HP 700+
Aspirated Base HP Range of Motor 500+
Max Flow (cfm) 1200
Max Boost (psi) 30
Inlet Hose Diameter 3.75"
Inducer Diameter 3.37"
Exducer Diameter 6.25"
Outlet Hose Diameter 3"
Outlet I.D. 2.62"
Max Impeller RPM -62,000
Internal Step-up 4.10-1
Self Contained & Cooled Yes (trunk)
Oil Capacity 6oz. every 6K miles
The body on the car was all insulated throughout for temperature
and noise control but 98% of the interior components are all
original with only minor refinements. The seats were redone in
January 2013. The interior of the car is just as immaculate as the
rest with everything being very tight with a nice finish. In our
pictures you can tell it almost looks like it just rolled out of
the factory, it is that clean.
Still not convince this car is for you? Well how about if we throw
in some extras! This car is so special that the owner wants to make
sure it's new home is set up to give it the care it deserves so it
even comes with a maintenance and history file with photos, various
extra lighting lens, a complete (boxed) headlight set (4)
replacement, extra indoor door handles, small new interior
replacement parts, a collection of specialized nuts & bolts for
Buick, specialty catalogs & best suppliers for Riviera, all
supercharge system documents with supply of special oil, unused
complete body rubber kit, extra emblems, extra engine oil, extra
filters, plus a lube supply, paint number & code references and new
unused head and valve-cover gaskets. There is a good chance that
any supplies for maintenance the car needs in the future will
already come in a box with the car!
With all of the details outlining this build there is no doubt that
something has been left out. If this is the type of classic you are
looking for you cannot possibly go wrong with this one. There isn't
another one like it out there and this level of documentation is
not something you get with every vehicles on the market.
This car is worth every penny of $36,800.00!
