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Buick Riviera GS Boattail - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive

Buick Riviera GS Boattail - 360° Interactive

Buick Riviera GS Boattail - Key Specifications

Buick Riviera GS Boattail Specifications

Specification	Details
Type	Personal Luxury Car
Released At	1971 Model Year
Built At	Flint, Michigan, USA
Engine	7.5L (455 cu in) Naturally Aspirated V8
Position	Front-Engine, Longitudinal
Aspiration	Naturally Aspirated
Block Material	Cast Iron
Valvetrain	OHV, 2 Valves per Cylinder
Fuel Feed	4-Barrel Carburetor
Displacement	7456 cc / 455 in³
Power	330 hp / 246 kW @ 4400 rpm
Specific Output	44 hp per liter
Torque	691 Nm / 510 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Top Speed	200 km/h / 124 mph (approximate)
0 – 60 mph	7.9 seconds (approximate)
0 – 100 km/h	8.2 seconds (approximate)
Body / Frame	Body-on-Frame Construction
Driven Wheels	RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive)
Wheel Type	Steel Wheels with Riviera Hubcaps
Front Tires	GR78-15
Rear Tires	GR78-15
Front Brakes	Disc Brakes
Rear Brakes	Drum Brakes
Front Wheels	15 x 6.0 in
Rear Wheels	15 x 6.0 in
Front Suspension	Independent with Coil Springs
Rear Suspension	4-Link Live Axle with Coil Springs
Curb Weight	2070 kg / 4564 lbs
Weight Distribution	Front 57% / Rear 43%
Wheelbase	3048 mm / 120 in
Length	5500 mm / 216.5 in
Width	2007 mm / 79 in
Height	1370 mm / 53.9 in
Transmission	3-Speed Turbo-Hydramatic Automatic
Fuel Economy (Combined)	Approximately 11 mpg / 21.4 L/100 km
Fuel Capacity	87 liters / 23 gallons

Some Interesting Facts

Buick Riviera GS Boattail Price Specifications

Named for Its Unique “Boattail” Rear Design – The Buick Riviera GS Boattail earned its nickname from its distinctive tapered, fastback-style rear, inspired by classic luxury yachts and 1930s Auburn and Cord designs.

Designed by Bill Mitchell and Jerry Hirschberg – The striking “boattail” body was the work of GM’s design chief Bill Mitchell and stylist Jerry Hirschberg, making it one of the boldest and most polarizing designs in Buick history.

Built on a Rear-Wheel Drive Full-Size Platform – Unlike many personal luxury coupes of the time, the Boattail Riviera was built on GM’s B-body platform, providing rear-wheel drive and a long, low stance.

The GS (Gran Sport) Was the Performance Version – The GS trim added sportier suspension, upgraded gearing, and additional badging, turning the Riviera into a muscle luxury cruiser.

Powered by Massive Big-Block V8s – All Boattail Rivieras came with 455 cubic inch (7.5L) V8 engines, producing up to 330 horsepower and massive torque, even as emissions regulations began to tighten.

0–60 mph in Under 8 Seconds (in Early Models) – Despite weighing over 4,500 lbs, the Riviera GS could still accelerate from 0–60 mph in under 8 seconds, thanks to the monstrous torque of the 455 V8.

Offered With Hideaway Headlights – The Boattail featured vacuum-operated hideaway headlights, a signature Buick touch that added sleekness to the front end when not in use.

Luxury-Focused Interior – Inside, the Riviera GS featured plush bucket seats, a center console (optional), woodgrain trim, and advanced options like cruise control and climate control, targeting upscale buyers.

Short-Lived Yet Iconic Design – The bold boattail design lasted only three model years (1971–1973) due to mixed market reception, but it has since become a cult classic among collectors.

Now a Highly Collectible Classic – The Boattail Riviera GS is considered one of the most distinctive American cars of the 1970s, and clean examples are increasingly sought after by classic car enthusiasts and collectors.

Buick Riviera GS Boattail Price

The Riviera GS Boattail is one of the most radical designs in muscle car history – a personal luxury coupe with a 455ci V8 and swooping rear glass. Only 22,801 Boattails were built, making them rare in Europe.

Here's the EU market breakdown:

1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)

By Condition & Rarity

Driver-Quality (Restored, Minor Flaws)

€25,000 – €45,000(Running, needs cosmetic work)

Show-Quality (Numbers-Matching GS)

€45,000 – €80,000(Factory 455ci, Stage 1 adds €20k+)

Concours-Level (Stage 1, Low Miles)

€80,000 – €120,000+(Under 50k km, documented)

1971 GS (First Year, Most Desirable)

+20% Premium over 1972–73 models

2. Key Value Factors

✅ Authenticity

GS Package: Verify "GSX" option code (includes 455ci V8, dual exhaust)

Stage 1 Engine (1971–72): 330hp version adds €15k–€25k

✅ Rust & Body

Check Rear Wheel Arches & Trunk Floor – prone to rot under the iconic "boattail"

Opera Windows: Original glass (often cracked) costs €1k+ to replace

✅ Provenance

Buick Heritage Certificate: Confirms factory specs (+€5k–€10k value)

Celebrity Ownership: Elvis Presley owned a 1971 model

3. Where to Buy in the EU?

Classic Dealers: Classic Trader, Oldtimer Markt

US Importers: American Classics, Muscle Cars Europe

Clubs: Riviera Owners Association (private sales)

4. Market Trends

📈 Growing Interest

Stage 1 cars up 12% yearly (now €80k+ for clean examples)

Last of the "Big Block" Buicks before emissions strangled power

⚠️ Red Flags

Non-GS Clones: Base Rivieras with added badges (check VIN!)

Missing "Gran Sport" Emblems: Each costs €500+ to replace

(Fun Fact: The Boattail’s rear glass was so expensive to produce that Buick lost money on every 1971 Riviera sold!)

Pro Tip: Decode the VIN (e.g., "4J37Y1X123456" = 1971 GS with Stage 1) and cowl tag for:

Paint code ("48" = Silver Mist)

Trim ("A51" = Bucket Seats)

(Bonus: The 1971 GS Stage 1 could outrun a Chevelle SS 454 in magazine tests!)