Striking 1973 Riviera Boat Tail! This is a frame off restoration with every tiny detail done to immaculate standards. Before the restoration this was a one owner rust free car with 72,000 original miles.
The frame off restoration and customization started with the complete disassembly of the car. All parts were preserved and renewed to original condition. The body was bead blasted and primed to prevent rust from forming. The body was then worked on by a group of body techs with over 30 years of experience to bring it to the highest standard. The steel bumpers were removed and replaced with custom bumpers, the smooth lines and exceptional silver paint are the perfect. The front grill was shortened and a new air dam was designed and fabricated to enhance the one off front fascia. The rear bumper was fabricated with LED lights and tucked in to enhance the overall look of customization.
The Turbo 400 transmission was rebuilt with a shift kit by PAE and works flawlessly. Custom short headers with a stainless steel exhaust and custom tips give the “Rivster” its great sound. A black ¾ top was added to enhance body dimension and mimic a ¾ vinyl top of the period. The Rivster rides on 235/55R17 – 103W front tires, and 285/50R18 – 109W rear tires. The great cruising ability is courtesy of its rebuilt 3:42 rear end.
The intake and head were replaced with aluminum parts to drop the cars overall weight by more than 507 pounds. New aluminum stage 1 heads were used with a roller rocker, then ported and polished for high output. The original 455 engine was removed and shipped to PAE Enterprises in El Paso, Texas. PAE has been known for years as the leading Buick high performance engine specialists. The original block was used and machined by PAE for a rebuild to exact standards. All of the rotating assembly was replaced with high performance pistons, rods, crank, cam, and all completely new components, then balanced to perfect tolerances to insure a vibration free motor at all RPM levels. The motor was designed to be the highest horsepower for the street with a sweet lope idle and ease of city driving.
All suspension was rebuilt and springs replaced and lowered 21/4” for a tight street ride and stance giving the Rivster the performance of a Vette, and with its 575 HP and 590 LBS of torque, it can beat most of them.
A great deal of time and money went into having this awesome custom build.
The restoration was done in 2008, I purchased the car in 2012, and it now has 82,000 miles. It has always been garage kept. It is truly a dream car and very much loved.
