For Sale: 1971 Buick Riviera in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1971 Buick Riviera Hardtop

"The 1971 Buick Riviera redesign was a dramatic one. It had many of the same design cues as the 1963 Corvette Stingray but on a 122 inch wheelbase. The concept car which foreshadowed it was the Silver Arrow III, which was even more radical. Under the hood the Rivera's 455 cid V8 developed either 315 or 330 horsepower in Gran Sport form. As might be expected from the radical design, buyers were polarized. Only 33,810 bought the new model, 5,000 less than the 1970 offering. As is often the case, though, fortune favors the bold. The boat tail quickly became a crowd favorite, and good examples still draw crowds." Hagerty.com

For consignment, a 1971 Buick Riviera hardtop with a title verified 54,054 actual miles. Restoration receipts and meticulous records will accompany this Riv along with boxes of new parts and maintenance items.

Exterior
This sleek machine looks great from any angle and the respray of its original Bamboo Cream now shines brightly through a two stage application, complemented by the Sandalwood vinyl top on a streamlined roofline and strong C-pillar. This borders the dramatically curved rear window and equally as dramatic boat tail rear, a contour accentuated by the chrome bumper that also juts forward sharply. In front, the fascia leans inward with an inset grille and round headlights in square bezels, yet still recognizable as a Buick family member. The long hood has defined character lines that almost mirror the boat, and the profile includes an abrupt upward angle at the rear quarter window on its way to catch the downward slope of the fender. 15-inch Buick Rally wheels look right at home, wrapped in 75 series white lined tires. Imperfections include an alignment issue with the hood, some chipped paint in the bumper filler, scuffs, surface rust at rear window trim, some touched up chips, inclusions, streaks, surface rust at rear bumper and on the bumper with some deplating, paint runs, and surface rust on bottom side of panels.

Interior
Warm and welcoming, the door panels are constructed of Saddle vinyl, gold carpet, and a woodgrain dress plate behind the door pull and both doors present cleanly. The split bench and rear seat are in very good condition showing smooth saddle vinyl with button tufting on the uppers and stitch lines below with the driver's seat showing some wear and loss of tautness on the mid back piping, and this anomaly also occurs on the passenger seat. Seventies style means you get woodgrain on your Saddle three spoke steering wheel and spun metal on the faceplate of the dash including inside the speedometer pod and its arching indicator. Not surprisingly, the dash comes to a point, flanked by cove-like configuration for each front passenger, and it's all in great shape. Loop style carpet covers the floor, a saddle colored headliner shows well, and the trunk and its charcoal carpeted cover is clean.

Drivetrain
While the underside of the hood shows some age, the engine itself presents very nicely, a red blocked 455ci with a 4-barrel carburetor and 315 horsepower. Behind it, a TH400 3-speed automatic that routes power to the 12 bolt rear axle. The car has power brakes, power steering, and air conditioning.

Undercarriage
Driver quality but generally clean underneath, we find one spot of rust on the body mount and some surface rust on the bottom edge of each door. Beyond that, it's solid all around where dual exhaust runs through stock style mufflers and exits through aftermarket chrome tips that extend past the bumper. Power disc brakes are up front with power drum in back and suspension consists of coil springs at both ends with a 4 link connected in back.

Drive-Ability
What an absolute time capsule! We're not sure what's cooler; the period colors or the period configuration! In any case, we set out onto the test loop and noted a rough running engine that loads up and some exhaust leak. Functionally speaking, the right front window needs help going up and the dashboard clock is not working. All other functions operate as intended on this absolute classic. 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.

Of the dozens of Rivieras that have come through the mall, would you believe this is the first 1971 we've seen? Once you learn that only about 33,000 were built, you'll understand why. This is an uncommon model, one that is incredibly unique and instantly recognizable for the classic it is.

494871H918555

4-Buick
94-Riviera
87-2 Door Hardtop
1-1971
H-Flint, MI Assy Plant
918555-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 71 49487-1971 Riviera Hardtop
BDY FL1134926-Flint Body #
TR 686-Saddle Vinyl
PNT 50D-Bamboo Cream, Sandalwood Top
03C-3rd Week March

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. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.

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!