For Sale: 1973 Buick Riviera in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1973 Buick Riviera Hardtop

Elegant, innovative, attractive, heroic, graceful. Scour in the internet and you'll find comments like this for a car that was not immediately welcomed with open arms. Sound familiar, '63 Vette? "For 1973 the Riviera received more substantial changes. The biggest improvement was the boattail's tip, which was substantially reduced in size. Another positive step was a partial vinyl roof, which served to reduce the visual mass of the car's fastback roofline." Indieauto.org

For consignment, a 1973 Buick Riviera hardtop showing 118,650 miles, but the true miles are unknown. The 1971-73 Riviera may have been one of the most iconic designs of the decade, but it was not a commercial success. Thus, it made sense that GM would take a different direction when the car was given a partial reskinning in 1974.

Exterior
h, a sign of the times with its Yellow Beige single stage paint and brown vinyl top that terminates at the C-pillar creating a Vette-like ribbon of paint over the top. Right before the curved rear window takes center stage, descending into the decklid which contours dramatically around it. Let's stay back here a bit and soak it in, the contoured chrome bumper with embedded slit tail lights over two exhaust pipes. The rear quarter window is another point of dramatic design with the body curving upward to frame the glass. Meanwhile, 15-inch Buick Rallye wheels add to the sporty nature and carry 235/75R15 tires with a late 2022 date code. Up front, the much talked about facelift for '73 featuring the new, large bumper to meet federal requirements. Imperfections include some pitting in the rear bumper chrome, cracking paint and filler, and some rust bubbles under paint.

Interior
The shades of brown continue with the beautiful Saddle vinyl door panels with woodgrain inserts, metal plated switchgear, and chocolate brown carpeted lower panels. A split bench front seat takes that saddle vinyl and surrounds brocade cloth artfully placed in the sitting areas and both front and rear are in very nice condition.Warm woodgrain makes an appearance on the three spoke steering wheel and serves as the face plate for the instruments and dashboard with a simplistic layout that is tidy and efficient and all canted towards the driver. An AM/FM radio is on the right along with added gauges under the dash. The floor has a contrasting brown carpet with saddle colored rubber mats to tie it all together. Fully intact is the headliner with just a touch of wear and the trunk is lined with black cloth covering and a plaid mat, presenting cleanly.

Drivetrain
The engine bay is home to clean conditions and houses the original looking 455ci V8 with a Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor and together they generate 260 horsepower. It is mated to a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission that spins power back to the 12 bolt rear with 2.93 gears.

Undercarriage
Surface rust is normal on a car of this age and the lack of invasive rust proves it's been well cared for. There's some fluid on the transmission pan but overall conditions are dry. Dual exhaust encounters stock style mufflers and resonators before exiting through steel pipes out back. Power brakes are onboard as discs in front and drums in the back while coil springs also occupy both ends with a 4 link helping out in back.

Drive-Ability
The mighty 455 is tempered a bit by the muffling but it still has a pleasing V8 rumble as we sail this boat tailed dream onto the smooth waters of the test loop. There's another rumble and it's coming from the slight knobby tires below but they provide straight tracking and adequate handling and the car has good acceleration and easy steering. We note the clock and reverse lights don't work but all other functions operate like it's 1973.While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

Like the kick pleats of Elvis' 1973 Aloha from Hawaii jumpsuit, the boat tail back of this '73 Buick is wild, flashy, and a bit over the top. But also like Elvis' jumpsuits, you can't help but love it as it is currently out of style and 100% iconic and classic. These are not your average cars and are on par with the '57 Chevy as one of the most recognizable GM products to ever come out of Detroit. You know you've always wanted one, so set anchor at Classic Auto Mall and throw a line out for this one.

4Y87U3H581165

4-Buick
Y-Riviera
87-2 Door Hardtop
U-455ci V8 4bbl Dual Exhaust
3-1973
H-Flint, MI Assy Plant
581165-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 73 4EY87-1973 Buick Riviera
BDY FL1 334498-Flint Body #
TR 686-Saddle Cloth & Vinyl
PNT 81R-Yellow Beige, Dark Brown Roof
06C-3rd Week June
AM6-60/40 Split Bench Seat

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!