It's been a while since I've handled classic American iron, I had a 68 Malibu in the late 80s but nothing close since. My 1971 Riviera just arrived today, 156K miles but mostly restored. Not exactly a "concourse" car but decent ride for the money. It doesn't need much but there's no end when it comes to fixing up the classics... For now just hoping to find a decent replacement steering wheel (mine is cracked in a dozen places) but will probably settle for a leather wrap. My other two rides are modern BMWs, so please don't hold that against me Happy Motoring, PT
welcome a fellow vermonter! My interests in cars are wide.. My buick was my first classic americain car but i have many other kinds etc. I love german stuff! Had an '84 5series for a while. Nice looking riv!
Welcome and really nice Riv. I too am a new commer and have already recieved a wealth of info from these guys. Enjoy your ride and check out the Bench. Steve
Awesome looking 71 Riv. :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2: :beers2:
Beautiful Rivi. And welcome from Milwaukee Wisconsin. You may want to check out the parts for sale section if you havent already.
Thanks everyone. I took her out for a couple short rides today and it felt like a total time machine. I'm going to have a blast with this beast! Jason - is there much of a show/club scene for these kinds of cars in VT (beyond Stowe and the fairgrounds) I'm looking forward to just taking it to Al's for classic car night Cheers -Peter
Welcome to the board Peter! :beer :TU: What options does the Riviera have? What color and style steering wheel do you need?
Check out our Club on the other side of lake champlain, We have a big show comming up and other shows too. http://cvcc1.homestead.com
Hope the weather breaks soon for you, and the mud season is short. Nothing worse than a muddy car that's supposed to be clean. I see the front plate on your car. There's a Fleming's about a mile from where I work in Rockville MD. Didnt realize they were a chain. I love to see the variety of cars they have, because just about every one is a car I'd love to drive. Congrats on the new acquisition.
Still trying to figure out options - certainly not a GS, it's got a power bench seat and a column shifter. Cruise, A/C, speed warning, FM Stereo but it's not working (no reception and only one speaker in back). That's all that's obvious. Not sure if it has the traction control or not. Attached is a pic of my steering wheel - I thought most 71 Rivs had a 3-spoke steering wheel? I may just get a leather wrap if I can't find a correct wheel (at a reasonable price). The color of the wheel is more close to the darker blue on the right edge in the pic. Thanks, I might go to the Saturday of the big show. Yes, long winters/springs up here, but I'm only taking it out on nice days, after all the salt is gone... I bought it from Fleming's in Rockville! Shipping was included.
Peter, That is a good picture of the interior, it says alot. (I love the blue interior) It looks like you have: -Rear window defogger (this is a blower motor underneath the rear window tray, it can't be the heated glass rear window defroster available on Centurion, Electra and LeSabre. M7 -Cornering Lights, these are the lights in the front fenders, without cornering lights its just one running light. The cornering light illuminates the roadway in the direction of the turn signal. I think they are great. K2 -Tilt Steering wheel, S7 -Cruise Master, S6 -Speed Alert and Trip Odometer K3 -Finger Tip Windshield Washer Control (This is VERY rare. This is the button on the end of the gearshift lever. It has two different function. I have seen about 8 cars over that last 3-4 years with this option. My Electra has it.) K6 -Chrome-Plated Wheels, V2 -It looks like you have an AM/FM Radio, the lever should slide to cover "FM" and reveal "AM". D5 (radio) D6 (single rear speaker) -A/C with manual controls I-6 -MaxTrac is a switch located on the underside of the top portion of the dashboard, above the clock. I'll attach a picture. MaxTrac is the traction control option. It doesn't look like you have it. C2 Check for these options: -Electric Trunk Release, open the glove box and on the top edge of the glovebox there will be a button. The key needs to be turned to the "on" position. -Four note horns, open the hood. You will see two horns. If there is another large trumpet horn next to those two round horns your halfway there. Another larger round horn is on the other side of the driver's side fender, behind the other horns. -Sunshade Map Light, while sitting in the car look between the sunshades on the headliner, there would be a small switch that slides to turn on the light. Your correct. Most Rivieras, 1971-1973 came with the "Deluxe steering wheel" as it was standard. There was one other steering wheel available, Rim Blower steering wheel. This is very rare aswell. It featured a simulated wood center section and the rim could be depressed to sound the horns. I've attached a picture of available steering wheels. The steering wheel you have is not correct. It looks nice but came from a 69-70 Fullsize Buick.
Rob, this info is awesome. I really appreciate the support of the enthusiast community even for a jamoke like me who may already be in over his head but having a ball with the ride. Yes, there's a rear defog blower fan under the rear window. Unfortunately, it makes no noise in any of the three positions of the rear defog switch. [Not too worried about that as I will not be driving it in any cold conditions] Cornering light lenses do not light with turn signal. Does the car have to be running/moving for these to light? Tilt, cruise, speed alert, trip odo, clearly. The fingertip wipers control - I didn't realize that existed. Yes I have it, thought it was some sort of overdrive control and was very surprised to see it operate the wipers. There is some tape/patch above the clock but no switch. I'm guessing I don't have MaxTrac. Chrome plated wheels have rust in the dishes. Will consider getting them restored. Yes, slider to switch from AM to FM. Still no reception on either. (Antenna in the windshield) I found the electronic trunk release - makes noise but it doesn't pop the trunk. May need an adjustment? Overhead map light - works, but only with ignition On. [Oddly, power windows work with no keys] Will have to wait for daytime opportunity to check out the horn situation Thanks again, sincerely appreciate it. -Peter
Hey peter, Welcome to the site, We have a 72 and a 73 Riv, the 72 parts, 73 future project. We just sold the three spoke wheel for $35.00 so they arent that bad. I think they are the same for 71-73 electras as well. They show up on ebay alot or post in the parts wanted section and you will be sure to get one. You will most likely have to dye it though. Beautiful car by the way! Louie
Peter, I attached a picture of my old Electra's interior. You can see the max-trac switch above the clock. This information is meant to be shared. What good does it do if the few pieces of dealer literature are locked up and high prices are charged if they ever sell? I enjoy providing it and learning at the same time. :grin: The cornering lights should work with the turn signals on. If i remember correctly. No need for the car to be in motion. Perhaps the max-trac was there at one time. The computer is a small red box located on the passenger side of the car on the right side behind the glovebox. There is also a sensor on the driver's front knuckle. The service manual provides technical and visual information on the system. My chrome wheels had a bit of rust as well. Much of the shine came back, the rust on mine is because the chrome is worn away. It can be cleaned up with Bar Keeper's Friend. You can find it at the major home supply stores. I put a little bit on a rag with warm water and slowly scrub it in. It won't remove the heavy rust but will really shine the chrome and clean it well. There are a few things to check on the radio. You should consider buying a 1971 Buick Service Manual. They range from $20-$50. A very wise investment. HERE is one fro about $30 shipped. I prefer the paper copy over the cd. The electric trunk release may be out of adjustment or not aligned at all to the trunk latch. The service manual will help out with this too. Hope this helps. :bglasses:
