Sail Down the Highway in This 1971 Buick Riviera “Boat Tail”

The Buick Riviera launched in 1963 as one of the first personal luxury cars, setting a new standard for upscale American style. But it was the groundbreaking 1971 redesign that really made waves, with its unique and controversial “boat tail” design. This 1971 Riviera recently listed on eBay is a stellar example of this striking design.

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Nautical Style

One of the last vehicles designed under General Motors styling boss Bill Mitchell, the ’71 Riviera arrived looking like nothing else on the road. Borrowing design elements from the 1963 Corvette Stingray—another Mitchell creation—the redesigned Riviera’s signature styling feature was the prominent V shape running from the top of the rear window to the back bumper, resembling the bow of a boat. Other distinctive design elements include a chiseled front end with quad headlights, and a dramatic belt-line that dips and rises evocatively.

While the 1971 redesign remained in production for several years, first-year models like the one seen here are considered the purest. Later models watered down some of the original lines to comply with new safety requirements—and to make the Riviera’s radical design more appealing to a wider audience. That makes early examples like this red ‘71 that much more interesting.

A Boat Tail That’s Ready to Sail

This ‘71 from Montana is claimed to be totally rust-free, and the seller says it was recently treated to an extensive makeover. The seller claims the boat tail Riviera’s body was stripped to bare metal, with all bodywork issues addressed before the car was repainted in a striking shade of red, replacing the factory beige.

Under that long hood sits the original 455 cubic-inch V-8 engine. The engine compartment appears tidy, dressed up with chrome valve covers and air cleaner. Paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, the engine is said to run beautifully and reliably. There’s plenty of power for passing.

Opulent Appointments

The boat tail Riviera’s cabin represents the ultimate in 1970s luxury, with tufted upholstery and broad swatches of woodgrain trim. Amenities include power windows, brakes, and steering, along with a tilt steering column. The factory air conditioning system is said to be complete but not functional.

An extensive list of the boat tail Riviera’s new components includes:

• Carpeting
• Interior door panels
• Front seat upholstery
• Weather stripping
• Sill plates

In spite of its bold and unique design, the 1971 Riviera was not a huge sales success. Some say the redesigned Riv was just too different. Others say the car was originally conceived as a midsize model. When it morphed into a larger car, the proportions went awry. When the dust settled, Buick sold 5,000 fewer Rivieras in 1971 than it did the year before.

Whatever the reason, today, collectors have come around on the boat tail Riviera. Values for cars from this generation have been on the rise. This example is not showroom perfect, but most of the heavy lifting has already been done. The car is priced accordingly, leaving the next owner with a turn-key example of a bold and daring design from General Motors.