Buick Riviera 1972
The Riviera was radically redesigned for the 1971 model year with flowing and dramatic 'boat-tail' styling. Designed under Bill Mitchell's direction, it was penned by Jerry Hirshberg, future head of design for Nissan, mating the two-piece vee-butted fastback rear window, inspired by the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe, to the Riviera's platform.
This generation introduced a much more visual representation of the "sweepspear", with a more faithful representation to the version that appeared on 1950s Buicks in both the side molding and beltline.
The 455 engine had a lower compression ratio to meet EPA emissions requirements, reducing power to 255 hp (190 kW), with 265 hp (198 kW) in the Gran Sport. Performance remained reasonably brisk, with a 0–60 time of 8.1 seconds for the GS, but the Riviera's sporty image was rapidly fading.
The 1972 Riviera was little changed, with the 455 engine switching to net power ratings, 225 hp (168 kW) or 250 hp (190 kW) with the Gran Sport, although the actual drop in net power was only 5 hp (3.7 kW).
The 1972 models featured a redesigned ventilation system and the louvers were removed from trunk lid.
Being October, which had always been the LUGNuts anniversary month, this 1972 Buick Riviera has been built to the 8th challenge theme 'Show Your Age'. This means a car from 1972 - and I think that the Boattail Riviera is probably one of the coolest look cars from that model year - one that witnessed a significant downturn in vehicle styling and performance in the US due to vehicle emission and safety regulations.
Buick Riviera 1972
The Riviera was radically redesigned for the 1971 model year with flowing and dramatic 'boat-tail' styling. Designed under Bill Mitchell's direction, it was penned by Jerry Hirshberg, future head of design for Nissan, mating the two-piece vee-butted fastback rear window, inspired by the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe, to the Riviera's platform.
This generation introduced a much more visual representation of the "sweepspear", with a more faithful representation to the version that appeared on 1950s Buicks in both the side molding and beltline.
The 455 engine had a lower compression ratio to meet EPA emissions requirements, reducing power to 255 hp (190 kW), with 265 hp (198 kW) in the Gran Sport. Performance remained reasonably brisk, with a 0–60 time of 8.1 seconds for the GS, but the Riviera's sporty image was rapidly fading.
The 1972 Riviera was little changed, with the 455 engine switching to net power ratings, 225 hp (168 kW) or 250 hp (190 kW) with the Gran Sport, although the actual drop in net power was only 5 hp (3.7 kW).
The 1972 models featured a redesigned ventilation system and the louvers were removed from trunk lid.
Being October, which had always been the LUGNuts anniversary month, this 1972 Buick Riviera has been built to the 8th challenge theme 'Show Your Age'. This means a car from 1972 - and I think that the Boattail Riviera is probably one of the coolest look cars from that model year - one that witnessed a significant downturn in vehicle styling and performance in the US due to vehicle emission and safety regulations.