1978 Buick Riviera Specifications

These are standard specifications for the 1978 Buick Riviera, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).

Features

Engine Location :	Front
Drive Type :	Rear Wheel
Body / Chassis :	Separate body on perimeter box
Production Years for Series :	1977 - 1978
Price :	$8,080
Weight :	3700 lbs \| 1678.292 kg

Engine & Transmission

V 8
Displacement :	6604 cc \| 403.0 cu in. \| 6.6 L.
Power :	185 BHP (136.16 KW) @ 3600 RPM
Torque :	320 Ft-Lbs (434 NM) @ 2000 RPM
Bore :	4.4 in \| 110 mm.
Stroke :	3.4 in \| 86 mm.
Compression :	8.0:1
Main Bearings :	5
Construction :	Cast-iron block and head
Rochester M4MC 4-barrel carburetor

V 8
Displacement :	5735 cc \| 350.0 cu in. \| 5.7 L.
Power :	155 HP (114.08 KW) @ 3400 RPM
Torque :	280 Ft-Lbs (380 NM) @ 1800 RPM
Bore :	3.8 in \| 97 mm.
Stroke :	3.9 in \| 98 mm.
Compression :	8.0:1
Main Bearings :	5
Construction :	Cast-iron block and head
Rochester Model 4GC 4-barrel carburetor

V 8
Displacement :	5735 cc \| 350.0 cu in. \| 5.7 L.
Power :	170 HP (125.12 KW) @ 3800 RPM
Torque :	275 Ft-Lbs (373 NM) @ 2000 RPM
Bore :	4.1 in \| 103 mm.
Stroke :	3.4 in \| 86 mm.
Compression :	8.0:1
Main Bearings :	5
Construction :	Cast-iron block and head
Rochester M4MC 4-barrel carburetor

Transmission:
4 Automatic Turbo Hydramatic

Gear Ratios

1st Gear :	2.52:1
2nd Gear :	1.52:1
3rd Gear :	1.00:1
4th Gear :	2.41:1

Production Figures

Total Buick Production for 1978 :	803,187
Total 1978 Riviera production :	20,535
1978 Buick Riviera
Coupe 2 dr. 6 P :	20,535

Dimension(s)

Coupe

View info And history

Chassis # 4Z37XBH574647

Exterior
Fuel Capacity :	22.5 Gal
Seating Capacity :	6
Doors :	2
Length :	218.2 in \| 5542 mm.
Width :	77.2 in \| 1961 mm.
Height :	55.0 in \| 1397 mm.
Wheelbase :	116.0 in \| 2946 mm.
Front Track :	61.8 in \| 1570 mm.
Rear Track :	60.7 in \| 1542 mm.

Handling

Suspension
Coil Springs

Steering
Recirculating Ball with Power Assist

Tires / Wheels
Tires :	GR78x15

Recall

Component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
Manufacturer	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Mfr Report Date	19770801
NHTSA Campaign ID	78V139000
Summary	THE HUB PORTION OF THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS GENERATED DURING ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS. EVENTUALLY, THE BLADE COULD BREAK APART AT THE HUB AND BLADE PIECES COULD BE PROPELLED INTO THE ENGINE. IF THE HOOD IS OPEN WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE FRAGMENTS WOULD BE FREE TO FLY FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy	DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ENGINE COOLING; FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FAN FAILURE COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS IN THEENGINE AREA, OR PERSONAL INJURY TO BYSTANDERS IF THE HOOD IS OPEN AT THE TIME.NOTE: THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SERVICED WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND THE ENGINERUNNING UNTIL THE DEFECT IS CORRECTED.

Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated January 2023

1978 Averages

Avg. Household Income :	$17,000
Avg. Home :	$54,800
Avg. Gallon of Gas :	$0.63

1978 Buick Riviera FAQs (show)

Popular frequently asked questions include:

What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1978 Buick Riviera?
How many 1978 Buick Riviera were produced?
How powerful was the 1978 Buick Riviera? Was the 1978 Buick Riviera popular? Was the 1978 Buick Riviera expensive? What was the fuel economy of the 1978 Buick Riviera?

Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1978 Buick Riviera? A: The 1978 Buick Riviera has a wheelbase size of 116.00 inches.

Q: What is the length of the 1978 Buick Riviera? A: The 1978 Buick Riviera has a length of 218.20 inches.

Q: What is the width of the 1978 Buick Riviera? A: The 1978 Buick Riviera has a width of 77.20 inches.

Q: How much did the 1978 Buick Riviera cost when new?A: The 1978 Buick Riviera had a base price of approximately $8,080 (USD).

Q: What is the bodystyle of the 1978 Buick Riviera? A: The 1978 Buick Riviera was a Coupe.

Q: What tires did the 1978 Buick Riviera have? A: The 1978 Buick Riviera had GR78x15 tires.

Q: How many vehicles did Buick produce in 1978? A: Buick produced 803,187 automobiles in 1978.

Q: How many 1978 Rivieras were produced? A: Buick produced 20,535 examples of the Riviera in 1978.

Q: What engines did the 1978 Buick Riviera have? A: The 1978 Buick Riviera had the following engine options: V 8 (6604 cc | 403.0 cu in. | 6.6 L.) with 185 BHP (136.16 KW) @ 3600 RPM and 320 Ft-Lbs (434 NM) @ 2000 RPM

V 8 (5735 cc | 350.0 cu in. | 5.7 L.) with 155 HP (114.08 KW) @ 3400 RPM and 280 Ft-Lbs (380 NM) @ 1800 RPM

V 8 (5735 cc | 350.0 cu in. | 5.7 L.) with 170 HP (125.12 KW) @ 3800 RPM and 275 Ft-Lbs (373 NM) @ 2000 RPM

Q: What transmission did the 1978 Buick Riviera have? A: The 1978 Buick Riviera had a 4 speed Automatic Turbo Hydramatic gearbox.