1971 Buick Riviera 455 - road test complete set at www.boattail-riviera-by-buick.com

[gunitfor]

SNOOTH AS LIQUID VELVET SAYS IT ALL ! YEAH SORRY NO N !

[DaddysOldsmobile]

@gunitfor Have you ever driven one -- if so you would understand what he means

[smirnofowner]

@DirtyStang69 the car is 40years old, keep that in mind.

[robs71redriv]

After the reverse spin , he comments it almost lifts the front wheels off the ground - like thats a bad thing >>> 

[durko83]

The fact that the tester does a reverse 180 degree turn shows how much thrashing a Riv can take.

[msbae]

Despite the body roll around corners, I'd still love to have one of these classics. Buicks were never made for hard cornering, anyway...

[robs71redriv]

@DirtyStang69

if want to compare to todays lighter special edition cars go to the lighter special edition back then.

1970 Buick GS Stage I 455ci. 5.5 13.3 (MT Jan '70) - STILL MUCH BIGGER AND HEAVIER THAN SAY YOUR

2005 Dodge Charger R/T 5.6 14.2 (R&T Aug '05)

2006 Dodge Charger SRT-8  5.0. 13.5 (MT Dec.'05)

[robs71redriv]

@robs71redriv

closer to the weight and size of 71 Riviera

1973 Chrysler LeBaron Imperial 440ci 11.8 18.1

1974 Ford Torino 460ci 8.7 16.4

1973 Ford Thunderbird 460ci 9.0 17.4

1973 Oldsmobile Toronado 455ci 10.6 17.7

[peter455sd]

-That was one gorgeous piece of machinery !

[theriviguy]

@theriviguy thank you

[theriviguy]

i have a 1973 rivi with the factory 1972 455cid motor. anybody know what the h.p and torque would be? thanks

[robs71redriv]

@theriviguy

1972 Buick Riviera - MSRP $5,149.O5 - 33,728 Produced - Includes 2,171 with GS option

Engines: 455 V8. Stnd Riv 250 hp, Engine Code WF VIN 5th character U - GS Option 260 hp Engine Code WA VIN 5th character W - GS Option code Y49 A9 - $195.00

boattail-riviera-by-buick

[robs71redriv]

@theriviguy

1973 Buick Riviera - MSRP $5,221.05 -34,080 Produced includes 3,933 with GS option and the 1,234 Stage 1

Engines: 455 V8 Stnd Riv 250 hp, Engine Code XF - GS Option 260 hp, Engine Code XA, GS Option code A9 $171.00

Stage 1 option 270 bhp@4400rpm, 390 lb-ft@3000rpm Engine Code XA - This is the only year Stage 1 was listed as a separate option code A1 $139.00 (hp is SAE net)

more info in the boattail registry site boattail-riviera-by-buick

[mayangod1isback]

This is my favorite car among Classic Cars. Muscle car 100 percent. I can't wait to get mine fixed.

[powerwindow2]

holy S..... how many tire were used for this video ?

[Nato61]

My godfather had one of these. I think it was the same color as the one shown. I remember freezing on the way home to RI from NH because the AC worked well. To me it was a cool car but if I remember it had a speed warning that would go off if you went over 60. Still a classy car but not a sports car. Like a Monte Carlo I guess.

[robs71redriv]

@Nato61

David - Robert Plante had one with a custom vinyl top, back in the day. Check the off line acceleration - compare that to a Monte 454 - or even your Vette, wont beat it but will be close behind. and corner almost as well. - you'll be surprised how fast they are despite the weight. The speed warning is driver selectable

[1966425]

These cars have amazing build quality. I've owned my 72 since '96 and it was actually my daily driver for almost ten years. It's got around 200,000 miles and runs great. There are no squeaks or rattles in the interior and everything works fine. It even survived a head on with a '99 Lincoln Navigator. After a new front clip it was back on the road. I finally retired it and replaced it with a '96 Roadmaster.

[390merc65]

i think this car was over heating ,,look underneath it when it is going backwards..you can clearly see steam or something leaking on the car as it go's backwards before the slide it around at 30 seconds into this video

[robs71redriv]

@390merc65

goto minute 354 - its tire smoke as they accelerated backwards for the spin ( no posi on this one) then the front tires are smoking as it come around, the left front looks like it about to leave the rim (good ol bias plys).

[390merc65]

@robs71redriv i dont think its tire smoke...it looks like something around the tranny is leaking or steaming..even when he swings it around you can still see something going on with the car ...it is in one certain spot all the time....still cool to see how they tested cars back in the day

[FURY1958]

What was the total weight and averaged fuel consumption of one of these beauties? Unfortunately, here in Europe I can only see them in a museum or something.

[robs71redriv]

@FURY1958 They are, around 4500 Lbs, and get 10-15 mpg.

there are actually a lot of them in Europe they have a regular cruises and annual around Nieuwegein, NL ( more than here in Canada) many have been converted to lpg check buick-riviera com and come visit my site boattail-riviera-by buick com for lots more info.

[smithraymond09029]

I saw one of these on the 405 freeway here in SoCal this morning. But it was a Pontiac variant. What is the Pontiac version called?

[robs71redriv]

@smithraymond09029

There was no Pontiac variant to the Boattail Riviera , closest things styling wise were Grand am, Grand Prix and Firebird/Trans am. all of which were smaller platform with out a boattail rear although later on Trans am interior had similar styling and sort of the same rear window shape. there was also a pontiac concept car that was similiar goto - boattail-riviera-by-buick - com to see it under boattail father and sons - modern era.plus another in the late 70's

[jdivision91]

Thanks for posting this, I've always been in love with these cars, even since I was a child. It's kinda weird that we see these cars in all sorts of Hollywood films now. It's cool but I hate how a lot of them are crashed just for the sake of a cheesy flick. Hollywood, leave the Rivs alone!

[craig1974]

@jdivision91 yeah the Fletch movie with Chevy Chase

[Samsgarden]

70's cars. Gotta love 'em 'cause they're so wrong.

'She's a smoothie' 

[cadrolls1]

@Samsgarden At the time though, they were SOOOOO right.

[Samsgarden]

@cadrolls1

They still are ;-)

Everything today is sanitary and PC. Yes, cars are superior in so many ways but they have lost something important I think.

[cadrolls1]

@Samsgarden I think if most people under 40 took a 10 hour ride in this Riviera, they would run their present car off a cliff..........:)

[Samsgarden]

@cadrolls1

Fist I'd have to move to the states ;-)

[repnatl]

yeah one strip of rubber

[HUMMER7O5]

i got a black on black riv gs bucks and console , when it gets the work done it needs, it'll be a beauty

[cathplyr]

A smoothie indeed! I gotta get one of those! You other people can keep your ugly new plastic cars.

[robs71redriv]

@cathplyr check my other vids to see mine.

rob

[Andrejboskov]

@cathplyr plastic cars which are still safer than this tank

[Doobie1975]

I'm surprised to hear the narrorator stating that this was the fastest full size Buick they've ever tested considering that 1971 was the first year of the lower compression motors and that the 1971 Buicks were less powerful than the previous years

[robs71redriv]

@Doobie1975 - they never mention it faster of the line many of the exoic muscle cars like hemi charger - 429 cobra torino mustangs they tests either.

[cadrolls1]

@Doobie1975 I believe that the compression ratio was changed in "72" from 9:1 to 8:2. Most of the G.M. cars did anyway. I don't see why Buick would be a year earlier.

[LAmonk76]

@cadrolls1 you are right compression dropped after 1971 for all of the big three

[CaptainSpauIding]

@cadrolls1 they were all dropped in '71. Only some engines like the LT1 350 had (:! comp. Most were 8.5 to one or less.

[cadrolls1]

@CaptainSpauIding They changed in "72" not "71". I erroneously wrote that they went from 9:1 to 8:2 but, in reality, they went from 10:1 to 8:2 in 1972. All 1971 G.M. cars had 10:1. That is why the "71"s are quicker off the line but, the "72"s have a higher top end.

[CaptainSpauIding]

@cadrolls1 you're very incorrect: all 71 GM's were 10:1 ? You mean the base Vegas, 6 cylinder Novas and base 307s were 10:1 too ? No, even in 70 they had 9:1 in the base engines for regualr fuel.

And please explain how my dads '71 LT1 Corvette is 10:1 when the owners manual lists the compression at 9:1 as does the GM shop manual. Even the base L48 Corvette in '71 was 8.5:1. You know more then the manuals GM printed about their product ?

[cadrolls1]

@cadrolls1 I was wrong when I implied that "all" G.M. cars had 10:1. I was thinking Cadillac. The majority of the large V-8 engines from G.M. didn't change their compression unitl "72". I am almost certain that applied to Camaro and Corvette too. If you have found that to be incorrect, then I suggest you check other sources. Also, the owner's manual isn't ALWAYS correct as strange as that may seem. I have found discrepancies on various models using the owner's manual.

[CaptainSpauIding]

@cadrolls1 it's 1971: his LT1 has been apart to have hardened seats in it and guess what ? Larger combustion chambers for 9:! its the original engine.

The LS6 was 9:1 also, not only does the Owners manual say so, but so does the GM SHOP MANUAL.

We had a 71 Caprice at the auction (a real creampuff) with a LS5 365 hp 454. You know what 8.5 :1 compression also. It did not ping on 89 octanne gas. 10:1 sure as hell would have.

71 GTO's were 8.2 :1, the 455 HO was 8.4 : 1 in '71

NEXT

[cadrolls1]

@CaptainSpauIding If you compare the ratios of the 1971 models to those of the 1972 models, you will find that they went down in 1972. That applied to most, if not all, of the large G.M. engines. Also, you should NEVER put regular gas in an engine like a 454 regardless of what combustion ration it has. High test gas burns much cleaner and reduces times between tune-ups. Even if you own a 4 cylinder car, high test gas is always better for it.

[CaptainSpauIding]

@cadrolls1 no it isnt. Higher octane has a different burn rate. You don't need 93 octane in a 8:1 comp car.

The Caprice said use "regular" fuel not high octane. Why would you put 93 octane in a 8.5 : 1 engine ?

So you know more then the GM shop manuals from the factory ? Interesting.

[cadrolls1]

@CaptainSpauIding G.M. makes profits off regularly scheduled tune-ups. Of course they are going to write that as it increases their profits. Always always use premium gasoline ------------ even if it is in your lawn mower.

[cadrolls1]

@cadrolls1 I meant to write 10:1 not 9:1

[robs71redriv]

you could almosyt get one of those in the trunk

rob

[846524162]

WHAT A HANDLING!!! :D :D :D

Almost good as Ford Focus :)

[herbienbrian]

stops in only 36 feet xD

[robs71redriv]

Like bud says some of the best brakes in the industry - even by todays standard only car I ever drove that stopped better was my jag and it had 4 wheel discs - my 95 pontiac with 4 discs and ABS and 1/2 the weight doesn't stop as quick - and sure doesn't accelerate anywhere near a quick.

rob

[midnitesquirldog]

herbienbrian) heavy car man!! it takes a while to stop only if they had slotted rotors back then and double piston calipers wow would of stoped alot quicker !!

[markio23]

This has become one of my new favorite old cars. I love the back end of these things.

[adfasdfasdfluy]

hey man where do you get these vids?

[robs71redriv]

@adfasdfasdfluy I video taped them back in 80's when they replayed -always planned to get one someday - check my vids/ link in info box to see the one I now have

rob

[adfasdfasdfluy]

thats awesome. most kids my age are into hondas and stuff. im known as that one kid whos into buicks. and i am. i love my skylark. say, do you have any skylark or gs road test things like this? i find them really interesting

[robs71redriv]

Don"t have any vids of skylarks , but did have 69 GS Conv check cardmain ride/2497573

MaccaIsntDead channel has a 73 century GS and a bunch of other road tests

rob

[WhiteSTiLtd]

Selling my 73 now... Ended up needing too much work and it's not quite my type of car. They're beautiful cars though-especially the 71s-and the Buick 455 is a DAMN good engine. The car handled very well for its size, weight and age and it outbrakes some new cars (2007 Lexus LS460 = 209ft from 70) too.

One of the last great cars GM made before spending the next 30 years building mostly garbage. (Thankfully, they're back on the ball now, I just hope it's not too late.)

[robs71redriv]

I've got one too been doing a lot work

[49erRyder]

Nice video man I got the same one needs a little work though.