I just inherited a 73 riviera from my father in-law. He bought it new and its been siting in the garage for the last 20 years. Can someone help me decode the options list here? D3 - F1 - G4 - 16 K1 - K2 - L1 - M3 - O1 P1 - Q1 - R1 - R3 - S3 T1 - T2 - M3 - M7 - V2 X6 [/URL][/IMG] Here's the car [/URL][/IMG]
D3 - AM/FM Stereo 8 Track with front & rear dual speakers F1 - H78-15 Whitewall Tires G4 - Positive Traction Differential 16 - Air Conditioning (It's "I" 6) K1 - Cornering Lights K2 - Speed Alert & Trip Odometer L1 - Soft Ray Tinted Glass M3 - Rear Window Defogger O1 - Door Guards P1 - Carpet Savers & Handy Mats Q1 - 6 way drivers power seat R1 - Power Windows R3 - Front Fender Light Monitors S3 - Cruise Master T1 - Electric Trunk Release T2 - Electric Door Locks M3 - (already listed) M7 - I don't have a code for this.. (W7 is Body Side Stripe) V2 - Chrome Plated Wheels X6 - Wide Rocker Appearance Molding
Wow, that was amazingly fast. Thanks for all the info. Is this a GS car? My father in-law said it was and I thought one of the codes would be GS. Is there anything else I should know or can tell about the car?
If it is a GS, then there should be a GS emblem under the Riviera emblem on the front fenders. The positraction option would usually indicate a GS model.
No GS emblems, any other way to tell? He was very sure it was a GS but after 30 years I guess he could be wrong.
Didn't the GS model have a chrome air cleaner? I'm almost certain the 1971 GS included a chrome air cleaner with the GS model, but yours is a 1973. Looks like you have a pretty good set of options on your Riviera, your father-in law knows how to pick a car.
All GS Rivieras had chrome air cleaner covers, and a posi rear end, but they could also be ordered as an option on any Riviera. A GS model would have these items as standard features, along with specific ornamentation (GS fender emblems). The order sheet would show the GS (A9 ?) option. Nice scan of the bill of sale, but your car pics didn't post ? :TU:
So who gets to tell him how cool it is to have a boattail with the 9 3/8 posi.... the holy grail for us boattail owners.... guess I just did......
Did anybody else notice that they ripped your father in law off for 7 dollars when he picked the car up? Total price was 5670. He left a 50 dollar deposit, and then a 5000 dollar deposit and 627 was due on deliveryor 5677 dollars.
Assuming a 6% return I think those bastards owe my father in-law $46.53. Trev, can you check that math?
If it's a true GS, the only way to tell is if it has gold "GS" emblems beneath the Riviera script on each of the fenders. '73 was the only year that the emblems were gold. The GS package was just a ride and handling package in '73 on the Riviera (posi rear, 3.23 axle ratio). If your car has the optional Stage One engine, it would have an additional emblem in the front grill (Stage One), and the chrome air cleaner mentioned above. There would be a "w" in the VIN if it is a Stage One car. If you really want to be sure what you have, you can order a VIN report or original invoice copy from the Sloan Museum's archives. That's what I did with my car, just to confirm in fact that it was a GS. Here's the link for you... https://sloanmuseum.com/research_form.html Either way, I know you'll enjoy your boat tail :beer !
Hi, In 73 GS Riviera's didnt have a posi-rear in the GS ride and handling package, a posi should be ordered seperately. If one ordered the Stage1 option than a 3.23 posi came with it and the chrome aircleaner lid with Stage1 sticker Best way to see if your 73 is a GS is to check for a rear swaybar, besides the gold GS ornamentation. I would rather have a 73 with a factory posi than the GS, I just love posi rears. So hold on to your baby! Its nice to have original paperwork with it! Menno 72 Riviera GS 73 Riviera GS 73 Riviera GS Stage1
I recall that the GS emblems were gold from 73 till 75 Yesterday I bought a set on eBay for the 75 Riviera GS which now has the incorrect red ones (and they will stay there for the color of that car is Honey Gold and red ones looks better on that color... only bought them to keep the cRiv as original as possible)
Hi Rob, Seems like a lot of GS rivs are in Holland Long time ago I read an article of a 75 GS Riviera that had red GS emblems and the black inserts of the ralleywheels were painted red, looked great on that white 75, dont know if it said it was factory or custom. Menno
I think your mis reading the second M3 and M7 it's a U3 and a U7 U3 sunshade map light U7 lighted visor mirror Also in 73, Riv. G.S. did not come standard with a posi., it did come standard on a Stage 1. You could order a Stage 1 Riv. without the G.S. handling package. Also G.S. Rivieras have 2 braces under hood, non G.S. Rivs have 4, why I have no idea. It lists chrome air cleaner on the Stage 1 but not a G.S. I have seen many G.S. Rivs. with chrome, including mine.... I don't know.
I know a good sight to find out if your car is a gs it is www.buick-riviera.com and in there,under facts it should tell you if your car is a gs. there is also whole bunch of usefull info on the rivs from 71-73 it is how i found out that my 72 is a true gs:TU:
