1979 Buick Riviera Specifications

These are standard specifications for the 1979 Buick Riviera, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).

Features

Engine Location :	Front
Drive Type :	Front Wheel
Production Years for Series :	1979 - 1985
Price :	$10,110-$10,400
Weight :	3760 lbs \| 1705.507 kg

Engine & Transmission

V 8
Displacement :	5735 cc \| 350.0 cu in. \| 5.7 L.
Power :	170 HP (125.12 KW) @ 3800 RPM
Torque :	260 Ft-Lbs (353 NM) @ 2400 RPM
Bore :	4.0 in \| 102 mm.
Stroke :	3.5 in \| 88 mm.
Compression :	8.2:1
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 :	160 HP (117.76 KW) @ 3800 RPM
Torque :	270 Ft-Lbs (366 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 carburetor

Transmission:
3 Automatic Turbo-Hydramatic

Production Figures

Total Buick Production for 1979 :	727,275
Total 1979 Riviera production :	52,181
1979 Buick Riviera
Coupe 2 dr. 4 P :	37,881
S Type Turbo Coupe 2 dr. 4 P :	14,300

Dimension(s)

Coupe

Chassis # 4Z57R9E141914
Auction entries : 1

Chassis # 4Z57R9E149130
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Auction entries : 1

Exterior
Fuel Capacity :	20.0 Gal
Seating Capacity :	4
Doors :	2
Length :	206.6 in \| 5248 mm.
Width :	70.4 in \| 1788 mm.
Height :	54.3 in \| 1379 mm.
Wheelbase :	114.0 in \| 2896 mm.
Front Track :	59.3 in \| 1506 mm.
Rear Track :	60.0 in \| 1524 mm.

S Type Turbo Coupe

Exterior
Price :	$10,400
Weight :	3775 lbs \| 1712.311 kg
Fuel Capacity :	20.0 Gal
Seating Capacity :	4
Doors :	2
Length :	206.6 in \| 5248 mm.
Width :	70.4 in \| 1788 mm.
Height :	54.3 in \| 1379 mm.
Wheelbase :	114.0 in \| 2896 mm.
Front Track :	59.3 in \| 1506 mm.
Rear Track :	60.0 in \| 1524 mm.

Handling

Suspension
Front : Wishbones, longitudinal torsion bars and anti-roll bar Rear : independent with swinging longitudinal trailing arms, transverse linkage bar and automatic leveling

Steering
Recirculating Ball

Recall

Component	EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Manufacturer	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Mfr Report Date	19780801
NHTSA Campaign ID	79V002000
Summary	THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH CLEAR LAMP BULBS INSTEAD OF THE CORRECT AMBER COLORED BULBS. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT', WHICH REQUIRES THAT THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LAMPS BE AMBER WHEN ILLUMINATED.
Remedy	THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AMBER BULBS IN THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LAMPS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: LIGHTING AND COMMUNICATIONS; LAMP BULBS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: WHITE LIGHTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OFTHE VEHICLE IN DARKNESS OR IN OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY. FAILURETO IDENTIFY DIRECTION OF MOVING VEHICLE CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Component	PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
Manufacturer	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Mfr Report Date	19781101
NHTSA Campaign ID	79V069000
Summary	VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, 'HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS'. AN INCORRECT PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTING SPRING WAS INSTALLED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. THIS MAY CAUSE INTERFERENCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKES.
Remedy	THE CALIPER ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES.SYSTEM: PARKING; EMERGENCY BRAKES, MECHANICAL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE PARKINGBRAKE APPLIED AND GEAR SHIFT NOT IN 'PARK', IT COULD ROLL FREE, CAUSINGPROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated January 2023

1979 Averages

Avg. Household Income :	$17,500
Avg. Home :	$58,100
Avg. Gallon of Gas :	$0.86

1979 Buick Riviera FAQs (show)

Popular frequently asked questions include:

What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1979 Buick Riviera?
How many 1979 Buick Riviera were produced?
How powerful was the 1979 Buick Riviera? Was the 1979 Buick Riviera popular? Was the 1979 Buick Riviera expensive? What was the fuel economy of the 1979 Buick Riviera?

Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1979 Buick Riviera? A: The 1979 Buick Riviera has a wheelbase size of 114.00 inches.

Q: What is the length of the 1979 Buick Riviera? A: The 1979 Buick Riviera has a length of 206.60 inches.

Q: What is the width of the 1979 Buick Riviera? A: The 1979 Buick Riviera has a width of 70.40 inches.

Q: How much did the 1979 Buick Riviera cost when new?A: The 1979 Buick Riviera cost approximately $10,110 to $10,400 (USD) when new.

Q: What were the bodystyles of the 1979 Buick Riviera? A: The 1979 Buick Riviera was offered as a Coupe, S Type Turbo Coupe.

Q: How many vehicles did Buick produce in 1979? A: Buick produced 727,275 automobiles in 1979.

Q: How many 1979 Rivieras were produced? A: Buick produced 52,181 examples of the Riviera in 1979.

Q: What engines did the 1979 Buick Riviera have? A: The 1979 Buick Riviera had the following engine options: V 8 (5735 cc | 350.0 cu in. | 5.7 L.) with 170 HP (125.12 KW) @ 3800 RPM and 260 Ft-Lbs (353 NM) @ 2400 RPM

V 8 (5735 cc | 350.0 cu in. | 5.7 L.) with 160 HP (117.76 KW) @ 3800 RPM and 270 Ft-Lbs (366 NM) @ 2000 RPM

Q: What transmission did the 1979 Buick Riviera have? A: The 1979 Buick Riviera had a 3 speed Automatic Turbo-Hydramatic gearbox.