1972 Buick Riviera Series 49400

The Buick Riviera was General Motors' first entry into the personal luxury car market segment, introduced in 1963 and produced through 1999 (except for the 1994 model year). The name 'Riviera' had been used earlier, in 1949, to describe its two-door pillarless hardtop. Over a million examples were produced over the numerous years and generations of the Riviera lifespan, serving as a cornerstone in American car design. Allegedly reflecting the French Riviera, this stylish coupé was used to denote a premium-trimmed, six-window hardtop style.

The first generation of Riviera styling, introduced in 1963, continued through 1965. A complete redesign occurred for 1966, however, it continued to use the cruciform X-frame platform, the powertrain of the previous model years. This styling generation continued through 1970, with dramatic new styling introduced in 1971. The new 'boat-tail' styling was created under Bill Mitchell's direction, and penned by Jerry Hirshberg. The vee-butted fastback styling had originally been intended for the smaller GM A platform or GM G platform, eventually bestowed upon the full-sized GM B platform. The elegant ground-up styling sported new 'Coke bottle styling', with the middle of the body exhibiting a tapered 'tucked-in' appearance. Engines were the same as the bigger Buicks but with less weight, resulting in sparkling all-round performance for the Riviera, capable of going from zero-to-sixty mph in approximately eight seconds. Sergio Pininfarina declaring it 'one of the most beautiful American cars ever built,' and Jaguar founder and designer, Sir William Lyons, remarked that the Rivera's designer, Bill Mitchell, had done 'a very wonderful job.'

The 1972 Buick Riviera continued to wear the same boattail body as introduced a year earlier, with slight modifications including the loss of the Full-Flo ventilation louvers of 1971. In the front was a new eggcrate grille sloping forward with the 'R' emblem on the left. A similar 'R' emblem could be found on the rear deck lid. The interiors were finished in all-vinyl bench seats or with 60/40 notchback or bucket front seating.

the list of standard equipment included power front disc brakes, remote control outside rearview mirror, variable radio power steering, federally mandated safety features, armrests, deluxe steering wheel, dual horns, and rear ashtrays. The Riviera and Electra 225 were available with an optional electrically operated sunroof.

The 1972 Buick Riviera sport coupe had a factory base price of $5,150 and 33,728 examples were built accounting for approximately five percent of Buick's 1972 production. The wheelbase measured 122-inches, rode on H78-15 tires, and came standard with a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. The 455 cubic-inch, overhead-valve V8 now used net power ratings, stated at 225 horsepower or 250 with the Gran Sport option. The Riviera Gran Sport package added $200 to the base price and came with dual exhaust, positive traction differential, a higher output from the engine, and GS monograms for the front fenders. The interior received an engine-turned instrument panel insert.

1973 would be the final year for this Third Generation of styling. The base engine became a 455 CID V8 rated at 250 horsepower, while the new Stage One package had a 260 horsepower version. The Stage One also added a chrome-plated air cleaner and a limited-slip differential. Buyers were still able to order the 'Gran Sport' package that came with a specially tuned 'radial roadability' suspension, additional sound insulation, JR78-15 whitewall steel-belted radial tires, a rear stabilizer bar, and special 'Gran Sport' badging.

Many of the Riviera's mechanical components continued into 1974, although its styling was new, devoid of the 'boat tail' roofline, and replaced by a more conventional-looking 'Colonnade' design. This generation of styling continued through 1976.

The total production of Third Generation Riviera's was 101,618 units. Buick produced 33,810 examples in 1971, 33,728 in 1972, and 34,080 in 1973. Although many considered the 'boat-tail styling' to be 'hit or miss' with consumers, it proved more popular than the designs that replaced with (20,129 in 1974, 17,306 in 1975, and 20,082 in 1976).

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020