A 1974 Buick Riviera in the Land Down Under! Assistance please

Discussion in 'Classic Buicks' started by JimmyS, Oct 3, 2020.

  1. JimmyS

    JimmyS Member

    G'day (Hello) All!

    As a proud Australian, who is also a lover of American steel, I went out and bought myself a 1973 or 1974 Buick Riviera with the 455. Absolute beast.

    Now the reason I say 1973/1974 is because the Rego papers say 1973, but I'm a little confused if it really is.
    It doesn't have the classic swooping back, but it does have the pre 74 front end. I'll attach some photos for you guys, I also need a bit of help deciphering the Engine number...
    Engine no. V012708P

    Excuse my ignorance, I'm a young one, just getting into the classic car scene.

    Let me know if anything else could help - enjoy the pictures! She's even RHD. riv2.JPG riv3.JPG riv4.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

  2. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Welcome! Nice looking Riv! I’d have to say it’s a ‘74. The front clip is a relatively easy swap versus the cowl, body tub and rear structure. And the VIN and cowl tag are attached to the main body structure. It might have been built in ‘73 (production of ‘74s would have begun in August of ‘73), because US rules say a manufacturer can call it the next year if it meets the laws for the next year. Post a picture of the cowl tag and door sticker-they may explain it. (Maybe your documents go by build dates).
    Patrick
     
  3. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    The distributer is on the front of the engine, which scream BUICK to me.
     
  4. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

    Front distributors always screamed Ford to me sometimes dodge. Mainly Ford though.
     
    Nailhead in a 1967 likes this.
  5. JimmyS

    JimmyS Member

    So it's a stage 1? Turning into a good find! Though the emission controls of the 70s really hampered the performance of the car in the HP department, but its still got massive torque.

    VIN: 4Y87W4H450083

    What else can you dig up with the VIN?
     
    Nailhead in a 1967 likes this.
  6. JimmyS

    JimmyS Member

    So it's a 74 - thanks for explaining that :) see my previous post for the VIN number.

    Thank you all so far, you're a wealth of knowledge!
     
  7. kiwidave

    kiwidave Well-Known Member

    Welcome from the Mornington Peninsula Jimmy.....nice find!
     
  8. JimmyS

    JimmyS Member

    Cheers dave, and look, the top of the line motor! Happy days.

    You know what's funny? I was talking with the bloke I bought the Riviera off, and he bought it off a older gentleman in the Mornington Peninsula.

    Crazy stuff.
     
  9. JimmyS

    JimmyS Member

    Very good info, thanks all, My major service should be complete by today or tomorrow, I'll update ya'll on how it goes.
    Question, I'm getting the car registered (in Australia) - and for the life of me, I cannot find the Manufacturer GVM/GCM on the car, nor in the giant service manual. I also cannot locate the Compliance Plate Date?

    Do you guys know where these 2 details would be located on a 74 Riviera? I've looked in the engine bay and the door jams, nothing.

    Help would be appreciated! :)

    Cheers.
     
  10. JimmyS

    JimmyS Member

    Cheers for that, I'll have a look for that plaque tomorrow for the Compliance Plate Date (I think that's Aussie terminology).

    In relation to the GVWR, yea, it's not on the door jam - honestly why would you paint over it? Silly.
    I had a look on the internet for the GVWR, nothing at all.

    Anyone know what the GVWR is for a 74 Riviera? I'd imagine it'd be similar to the Pontiac plaque above.
     

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