Buick Riviera GS (Boattail)
The 1971 Buick Riviera GS, commonly known as the 'Boattail Riviera,' is one of the most dramatically styled American automobiles ever produced. Designed by Jerry Hirshberg under Bill Mitchell's direction, the third-generation Riviera featured a split rear window and a dramatically tapered tail section that evoked the boattail speedsters of the 1930s. The design was controversial upon its introduction but has aged into one of the most admired and distinctive American automotive designs.
The listing indicates front-wheel drive, which is correct for the 1971 Riviera. The third-generation model moved from the rear-wheel-drive E-body platform to the front-wheel-drive E-body platform (not to be confused with Chrysler's E-body), sharing its basic architecture with the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado. The 455 cubic-inch V8, producing 330 horsepower (SAE gross), drove the front wheels through a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic.
The GS (Gran Sport) package added a handling suspension with stiffer springs and shocks, Positraction front differential, and dual exhaust. While the front-wheel-drive layout was not ideally suited to extracting maximum performance from the 455's substantial power output, it provided excellent straight-line stability and all-weather traction that complemented the Riviera's grand touring character.
The boattail design was divisive at the time of its introduction. The dramatically tapered rear end, with its split rear window, was a bold statement that some buyers loved and others found too extreme. The interior was equally dramatic, with a flowing dashboard design that incorporated a large speedometer and tachometer. The overall effect was of a car designed by someone unafraid to make a statement.
Driving the Boattail Riviera is an experience of American grand touring at its most indulgent. The 455 V8 provides effortless, muscular power delivery, the front-wheel-drive layout ensures confident straight-line stability, and the generous dimensions provide a commanding view of the road. The ride quality is superbly comfortable, and the interior appointments create an atmosphere of relaxed luxury.
The 1971 Riviera Boattail was produced for three model years (1971-1973), with the 1971 being the most desirable due to its higher compression and power output before GM's corporate compression ratio reduction for 1972. Today, the Boattail Riviera has achieved cult status among American car enthusiasts, its polarizing design having aged into a recognized masterpiece. Values have risen as the car's significance has been appreciated by a new generation of collectors.
Check for rust in the floor pans, trunk floor, and rocker panels. The 455 V8 is generally reliable but check for oil consumption and coolant leaks. The front-wheel-drive system's constant velocity joints and half-shafts should be inspected. The split rear window seal is a common source of water leaks. The GS package should be verified through documentation. Body panel fitment, particularly around the complex boattail area, should be checked.
Built at Buick's Flint, Michigan assembly plant. The Boattail Riviera was produced from 1971 to 1973, with the 1971 model being the most desirable.