that's ghetto. are you sure it wasn't just broken and the person was using the crank that is usually included with the car?
Geez, Junkman, nice score! I, too, was thinking about how BIG the old sunroofs are compared to the newer ones. I remember reading an article on the web about that '73 Electra Limited with the white custom pillow interior. The story was that the car was ordered by a dealer for a buyer with every or almost every available option and sent from Buick and delivered to ASC (American Sunroof Company, later American Sports Car) for the sunroof, top and custom interior (with television in the console, etc., front and back consoles). So, maybe the 4dr may not be reflected in the factory production figures if ASC did the job after Buick finished with it. I have attached pics of a '73 Estate Wagon with an aftermarket sunroof that does not seem to be as wide as yours, Junkman, but it does seem to have the radiused arch in the center of the forward edge like yours. Hmmmm. I have seen someone with a (green?) Boattail Riv and a sunroof (open) in an avatar ... as big as these sunroofs were, I guess it's the next best thing to a convertible. I know GM had high hopes for sunroof systems (manual & power sunroofs and Sun Coupes) as substitutes for convertibles back in the early & mid '70's because of the Federal Rollover standards that came into effect right behind the new bumper standards and emission standards.
Technically, the 'factory' sunroofs were not installed at the factory. At least the B, C, and E cars that were built at Flint 1 back then. The cars were assembled and then once they were on wheels, sent over to ASC (American Sunroof) on Dort Highway for the addition of the sunroof. For what it's worth. Thanks.
I think "factory" for this discussion is the fact that the sunroof option was offered by Buick, invoiced through the Buick dealer network, delivered from Buick to the invoiced Dealer and included in Buick production figures regardless of what company's name appeared on the property where the sunroof was installed (The GNX's were produced in much the same arrangement, I think). Buick, like most of the other Big 3, contracted with ASC (They changed the name in the '80's or '90's). The point is that Buick handled and warranteed the installation, etc., even though the body was taken to ASC and then returned to Buick to be distributed through the normal delivery/distribution chain. Contrasted with a dealer-added sunroof or one a buyer installs himself that Buick would not warranty etc. I don't think many Electras like this one are still left. It seems really heavily optioned.
The sunroof in that '73 Estate Wagon looks a little smaller and is set back a little further than the one in my car. My Electra has a lot of options,but still doesn't have 8 track,cornering lights,windshield washer option,trunk release,60/40 seats,or dual exhaust. It does have everything else,though.
Ted, I'm really kicking myself for passing it up now. I should have pursued it further. Triple white with whitewalls, front lamp monitors, automatic climate control and the sunroof. If I remember he was asking $1500. You stole that car. VERY nice! :TU:
One of the 1,000+ 73 Rivieras with sunroofs, so not that rare. Not even that it is a GS, but what is really odd: it is for sale in Iran :shock:
Looks like the sunroof internals are missing in that Iranian Riv. Wonder if it used to belong to the former Shah of Iran? Might have to go over there for some car hunting:laugh: It was bad enough that I had to travel 1200 miles one way to get the Electra. Now that gas has become much more reasonable, I will have to go on some more road trips. I have some more cars lined up.
For 1973 the switch was located on the left dash bezel (notice it actually is a 71/72 bezel). Take a look at this 1973 Riviera promo movie (approx 5:30min): http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/94859
Very interesting. I think I saw the Max-Trac switch (on the underside of the upper dash above the radio) in the video. And ... using a Stage one badged engine revving with a glass of liquid to show how smooth running the mechanicals are is a hoot (funny). I don't think the glass would look nearly as smooth with a '70 Stage 1 engine instead. The segment with the sunroof being opened & closed via the dash switch shows again how BIG the opening is.
Junkman, What kind or rear defroster does your Electra have? Sometime in the early '70's, the "defroster" systems were renamed "defogger" systems as the electrically heated back glass defrosters were introduced. Which does yours have? Defogger = blower forcing ambient air onto the rear glass' or Defroster = electrically heated back glass with thermally bonded grid. I bet having to find a replacement for the heated back glass is like finding another power moon-roof car, or more difficult.
The switch for the sunroof is in the left hand dash bezel marked "TOP" and the rear defrost is the electric type with the wires on the glass. It all works good. The antenna switch is above the radio.
I just got a line on a '73 Toronado that has a rare factory electric sunroof-a late year option addition. Another very loaded car w/71K miles. I've never seen one of these with the sunroof. This looks exactly like the sunroof in the Electra.
Your actuel car should be a CV37 just like your former Limited, the CT was the base model. Yours looks like an Electra 225 Custom. Back in 1973, the Limited was a trim package on the Custom, it had the same model number. In 1974, the Limited got a separate model number (4CX) and in 1975, the 4CT model was discontinued.
Are you sure about the number "67"? This is usually used for convertibles. It should have been "57" for the hardtop coupe. There were no Centurions with sunroofs? So I guess they had either convertible roofs or sunroofs avaialble as an option but not both!
