1973 buick riviera stage 1

I've got a lead on the car posted above... the guy says that the motor doesn't run, but all the parts are their. He wants 600 bucks for it. Just wondering if I should jump on it?

Edit 2: those aren't chrome valve covers. I'm guessing it's not a real stage 1 motor.

Edit 3: Okay... So now i did a bit of reading according to this the GS/Stage 1 doesn't have chrome valve covers. The air cleaner is too rusted. He says the motor has the XA code on it and the VIN has the "w" along with the correct distributor and carb. He also says it's got a 12 bolt 3.23 which would mean it came from Canada.

Thanks,
Bart

Edit 1:

 

You have a $200-300 core engine if it is not full of water...rest of the car is for parts or scrap.....call the scrap yard and see what they are paying....you may just break even at $600....not really a deal.

 

I think I will still go and check it out... I thought Stage 1 parts were worth a few dollars... IF a big IF, but if it is a all original GS/Stage 1 with a Canadian 12 bolt drive train... Can't be too many of those around... Scrap is going for quite a bit these days!

 

What's the story about a 3.43 12 bolt in a model year 1973 Riviera being part of a "Canadian drive train" ?

 

This says that the only 12 bolts for a GS came from Canada. This article also states that a Stage 1 never came with a 12 bolt. I don't know about a GS/Stage 1. The XA and the "W" VIN don't coincide with a Stage 1 either, but do for the GS/Stage 1.

I found this on the aaca forum, "In 73 Buick separated the GS/Stage 1 package into two separate options, there were 3,933 that had the GS handling package, but only 1,234 had the Stage 1 engine. You could order the Stage 1 engine and not the GS handling package and vice versa. Buick did require one option to get the other, they were separate.
The GS or Stage 1 packages had nothing to do with the interior. You could get a GS/ Stage 1 with the standard interior or the custom. Although I have never seen any GS that had the standard interior, all the one's I've seen had the custom interior"

I guess this is not a Stage 1 motor, but the GS. Everything points to a GS option. o No:

The only reason I'm looking at this is to see if anyone would be interested in these parts... I would hope to make a few dollars, but mainly to help someone out on this forum... Starting to sound like it's not worth it.

Bart

 

That's an article about A-body cars.
The Riviera in your post is an E-body.

 

Assume it is not a Stg1....valve covers are gone and you can treat it as a Riv w/455 and price it accordingly.

Ask the Riv experts here and they can tell you how to ID the car as Stg1 from the equipment and possibly the VIN.

 

1973 Riviera with GS option has the XA engine code.
Distributor # 1112016.
RC rear axle code.

But, I think you could also order a Stage I 1973 Riviera without the US$ 171 Gran Sport package......

 

ou: I missed that part about A-Body! That's what I get for staying up late trying to figure this out. Thanks for the info/help. Yeah, looks like this really isn't worth the effort in this heat.

 

I was thinking the same, but.........

Here's a thread about a board member and a Stage I non GS 1973 Riviera :Comp:

 

I could ask him... Even though I already told him I wasn't interested in it. Just to clear things up.

 

The "Stage 1" package in the Riviera's was not the same package as the A-body GS's. The heads were the same, but I am not sure they used the same carbs and all other specific parts, etc., as some seem to want to assume is the same as an A-body Stage 1.

 

G.S. and Stage 1 were two seperate options, they could be ordered together or seperate. NO chrome valve covers on G.S. or Stage 1. Chrome air cleaner lid on Stage 1, As stated W in vin, 3:23 posi, Stage 1 emblem in grill, order code A1. A9 is order code for G.S. and Ac was the combo of the two. Sounds like a real one to me.........grab it. :TU:

 

I'll try to clear some of this - I'm not sure what article was being read reffered too -
When it comes to Riviera - as was stated GS and stage 1 are not the same as A body GS Stage 1 - in fact an A body GS engine 315 hp is a standard Riv 455 with GS carb/dist/etc, while an A body GS stage 1 is equivalent to a 71/72 Riviera GS.
With the Riviiera you also have to be year specific - 71/72 and 73 are slightly different. - the 71/72 Riviera GS engine had stage 1 heads but was not called stage 1 and used a different cam carb/dist than the A body GS Stage 1.
it was state W in the VIN = GS Stage1. true for 72 only ( 71 71 no vin indication,71/72 all Riviera GS engines are stage1 heads) in 73 W= GS handling package, Stage 1 was seperate but shares the same engine code as GS and requires documentation and/or dis-assembly to know if a stage 1 - see below


1971 Riviera
Engines: 445 cu inch V8 with 455 lb-ft torque @ 2800 rpm.
Stnd Riv 315 hp, Engine Code TR
Riviera GS Option, 3,175 GS Optioned, 330 hp, Engine Code TA - GS Option Pkg Y49 A9 - 199.98
Riviera GS was

Y49​

A9​

Riviera G.S. Option-455 Cu. In. Modified High Performance V8 Engine W/4 Bbl. Carb. Stnd. on. Comp. Non-Lead Fuel. Chrome Covered Air Cleaner, Performance axle W/Positive Traction Differential, 2 Stripe White Wall Tires, Firm Ride And Handling Suspension, & Specific Ornamentation.

199.98​

1 Hi Performance Wildcat 455 cid 265 hp 4bbl v8; chrome covered air cleaner; firm ride and handling suspension; positive traction rear differential; white stripe tires and specific ornamentation
^ Optional 445 cid 330 hp Avail. only with Turbo hydro-matic Transmission – included in GS option


71/72 has stage 1 heads carb/dist/cam - but not the sane as ones as an A body
[FONT=&quot]Riviera GS/Stage 1 engine and the Skylark GS Stage 1 both used 1/8" oversize intake and exhaust valves. While the Riviera GS/Stage 1 engine had its own cam with more lift than a standard Riv 455, giving more low end power (71 Riv GS Camshaft pn - 1384664) the A Body Skylark GS/Stage 1 camshaft had significantly more duration for more top end power. Supposedly the A body cam, was deemed to run the engnne to rough for use a Riviera , The Rivs did use the heavy valve springs, also Riviera GS did not use same the carb, distrib the A bodies did -
Transmissions
although the 71 Chassis Manual shows only BT trans for 71 Riviera , I'm starting to suspect that as in 72/73 Standard Rivs had a BC and posi equipped ( Included with Riviera GS) had a BT trans - this makes sense with the gear ratios.
[/FONT]
455 Centurion (engine not the car) 345 hp@5000rpm 460lb-ft@3000rpm Engine Code TS- option code WE6 A9 (Hi performance V8 engine only) - $216.82 (hp is SAE gross)

WE6​

A9​

455 Cu. In. Engine Group-455 Cu. In. High Performance V8 Engine W/4 Bbl. Carb. Stnd. on. Comp. Non-Lead Fuel. Includes. Specific Cooling And Energizer.

216.82​

Avail. on 46-48-490000 Series (Auto. Trans. Required)
^ Hi performance Centurion V8 345 hp Avail. only with power brakes (with front discs) and turbo hydro-matic transmission or 4 speed manual (skylark GS only) $ 242.88 - included in stage 1 option
(98.94 in Centurion)


In 71 you only had the engine codes and documentation to go by - nothing in the vin code all Riviera GS engines are stage 1 head.


1972 Buick Riviera - Includes

Y49​

A9 ​

Riviera GS Option (Includes Firm Ride And Handling Suspension, Performance Axle, Positive Traction Differential, Whitewall Tires, Chrome Plated Air Cleaner, Modified 4 Bbl. High Performance Engine & Specific Ornamentation)

$195​

GS 455 cu. In., 330 hp /260 hp, engine code WA, VIN code w
Standard engine: 455 cu. In.315 hp/ 250 hp, 1-4 barrel, engine code WF, VIN code U

Engines: 455 V8. Stnd Riv 250 hp, Engine Code WF VIN 5th character U - GS Option 2,171 with GS option,260 hp Engine Code WA VIN 5th character W - GS Option code Y49 A9 - $195.00
Hp rating seem lower because of the rating system change net vs gross- but are really only 10 or less than 71.



1973 Buick Riviera -


GS was handlinmg package

A9​

Riviera GS Ride and Handling Package -

$171.00 ​

HR 78-15 steel belted radial ply whitewall tires. Specific springs and shocks. H.D. stabilizer bars. H.D. wheels. Specific insulation package. Specific body mount system. GS name plates on fenders.


- stage 1 was seperate engine package

A1​

Stage I Option -

$139.00 ​

High performance 455 cu. in. 4 bbl. V-8 engine. Matched "THM 400" Performance axle with positive traction. chrome plated air cleaner. Stage I name plate on grill.


- and yes they could be order sepearte from on another - an non GS stage 1 car is documentation in the Boattail Registry.. 3,933 with GS option and the 1,234 Stage 1 produced.

option code

AC​

A l and A 9

No chrome on valve covers

Engines: 455 V8 Stnd Riv 250 hp, Engine Code XF - GS Option 260 hp, Engine Code XA, GS Option code A9 $171.00
Stage 1 option 270 bhp@4400rpm, 390 lb-ft@3000rpm Engine Code XA - This is the only year Stage 1 was listed as a separate option code A1 $139.00 (hp is SAE net)

Ref
What's the story about a 3.43 12 bolt in a model year 1973 Riviera being part of a "Canadian drive train" ?

All the Buick 12 bolt rear were from Canadian suppliers - for Boattails,



to sum this particular car -

XA code on it and the VIN has the "w" along with the correct distributor and carb --- tells it a Riviera GS - the stage 1 sticker on the air cleaner means nothing, stage 1 air cleaner lid should be chrome ( easty to change same with sticker not all stage 1 have stage ! sticker, valve covers should be painted. 12 bolt 3.23 posi was would have come with stage 1, but could also be ordered separately

G2​

Performance AxIe
N.E.C
(incl. in A1 Stage 1 Pkg)

G4​

Positive Traction Differential

$48.00 ​

(incl. in A1 Stage 1 Pkg)

GA​

Performance AxIe & Positive Traction Differentia

THE TABLES DID NOT FORMAT CORRECTLY AND DROPPED THE AVAILABILITY COLUMN TO SEE THE FULL TABLES
. HERES ALL THE OPTIONS FOR BOATTAILS, BOTH AS THEY WOULD BE ON WINDOW STICKERS, AND FROM GM DOCUMENTS http://boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/library/owner%20info_manuals/option%20windows%20stickers/index.html
NOTE AVAILABILITY OF THINGS LIKE
Trailer Hauling Option
Firm Ride & Handling
Automatic Level Control

IT INCLUDES THE 73 STAGE 1 WITHOUT GS WINDOW STICKER,( THERE IS AN INVOICE TO BACK THAT UP) PLUS DEALER ORDER FORMS INCLUDES SOME OTHER BUICK MODELS WITH OPTION PRICES.

 

Rob,
The only part that I'm still not sure of is the Stage 1 decal on the air cleaner, yes it's easy to add but I've seen a number of these in the past 30 years from original owners who swore was original. ????????????? I'm sure they left the factory both ways........it was the 70's

 

Thanks for that clarification! :TU: I was trying my best to find information, and had serious fail. I wonder where this Riv will end up now... Thanks again for all the info!

 

The stage 1 sticker and the -R- Hood ornament shows up " as its always been there on lots of Rivs, " but i have strong doubts - i never have seen factory photos, or mention of it in any documentation - dont doubt that some may have come from factory and or dealership with it and/or even chrome air cleaner lid on non GS Stage ! - like you said it was the 70's sure wouldn't add/deduct more than cost of the sticker to the value of car/engine based on it.