1972 Buick Riviera

    This is my personal street car, I’ve owned it for 13 years. I’m the 3rd owner. The “boat-tail”or batmobile style was only produced from 1971-74, but only the 1971 & 1972 have these extreme styling features such as the contoured bumpers (the 1973-74 are much more reserved and ordinary-looking). This is the same model used by Dennis Hopper and other stars in movies, TV shows, etc.
    This very large and striking car (122”wheelbase, over a foot longer than modern full-size cars) always attacts attention whenever I take it out, and other Riviera owners engage me in conversation. If you’re not used to long wheelbase cars you may not feel comfortable with it.
    The is the largest engine Buick ever produced: 455” (7.5 liter) V-8, with the strongest transmission: the Turbo-hydromatic 400. Rear axle is Posi-Traction. Mechanical condition is still good, with only 79,000 original miles. Nothing needs attention (except as noted below). The car is absolutely reliable in all weather, handles well and is quite peppy.
    Because of its age the New York State safety inspection is more simple and less expensive than with newer cars.
    You may also save quite a bit of money by purchasing antique insurance ($56. per year in 1999, but it should’t be your daily driver). I’m including several full-size factory service manuals and the original owner’s manual.
    Why is it for sale? I just bought another car and need the money! I’m also getting to old to take care of it myself.     The car is not registered (no plates) and cannot be inspected for you to register it until the windshield is repaired, see below. The car can be started and moved in my driveway, but not driven on the street. I may be able to get it towed for free in the immediate Hempstead area if my AAA service will go for it (supposed to be only to a shop), but no promises.     The pictures shown are the actual car, taken July 10/August 15, 2008. Click any image for a larger view.

    Among the items that have been professionally replaced with new or rebuilt in the last 6,000 miles:
    »    Radiator, including water pump, belt, thermostat and hoses
    »    Driveshaft completely rebuilt with all new U-joints
    »    Entire exhaust system from the manifolds back, including all head pipes, mufflers, resonators, tail pipes, clamps
          and hangars (over $650.00) was replaced last year
    »    Shock absorbers (4 Monroematics)
    »    Carburetor and fuel pump
    »    Battery
    »    Power steering box
    »    Tires: highly rated big B. F. Goodrich 225/75-15 radials
    »    Brakes: rotors cut, calipers rebuilt, shoes replaced, drums turned, master cylinder replaced (although I suspect
          there's a leak somewhere and this should be taken care of
    »    Front suspension completely rebuilt, new control arm bushings, ball joints, etc.
    »    Body rubber seals; I bought an entire kit of window, door frame, door lock, trunk lid etc. seals from “Sof-Seal”
          some have been installed, some are still new in the package.
    »    The factory original 8-track player and radio are included but not installed, and I haven’t tried them out.
    »    Recent oil, oil filter and air filter change
    »    The small orange cord showing under the grill is an electrical lead for an on-board automatic battery charger
          and manifold heater for instant winter starts.
    »    There are 3 sets of keys.     There are several things that are missing or non-functional:
    »    Factory air conditioning is installed, but discharged - the controls work but it needs to be re-charged with Freon.
          I have a Freon re-charge kit, but haven't used it - it's included.
    »    Body condition is as shown in the photos, rust on door bottoms, front fender bottoms, rocker panels. There is
          a dent in the passenger’s side front fender (see detail). The paint may improve with compounding
          and polishing, but I don’t much about this.
    »    Interior: driver’s seat condition is rough, passeneger’s seat, back seat and headliner are pretty good.
    »    Wheels are the original Buick factory steel mags, but the center caps are gone or worn.
    »    The gas gauge is not reliable, and shows 1/2 when out of gas.
    »    The front windshield has a serious crack, but it’s the same as many other large GM windshields including other
          years and other brands (I will supply an interchange list) so it’s easy and inexpensive ($250.00?) to replace.

Price: $1,995.00.
    

Please do not e-mail for "more information" - read the description again. If you have a question, ask the question.
    If you come to see the car by appointment only, be prepared to leave a non-refundable $300.00 deposit in cash, U.S. Postal money order, bank money order, traveller’s check, or certified check, and receive a signed receipt and bill of sale. The balance must be paid within 30 days, or it is forfeit - I will not return deposits after 30 days. The transferable registration will be signed over after the balance is paid (in New York State, cars before 1973 do not have titles). Don’t ask me about trades, not interested. Full payment on pickup in Uniondale, New York (Long Island). You’ll have to either tow or trailer the car, or come back with your own plates.
    For the balance I will accept cash or a U.S. Postal money order, bank money order, traveller’s check, or certified check. I will accept a personal or business check on a local bank only if I can cash it myself while you’re here.
    Please: no questions such as “what’s the least you’ll take for it?”, “how much for cash?”, “will you hold it for me?”, “I’ll give you my Camaro plus cash”, etc.
    Use Mapquest for directions, address will be sent on request. Questions? Click this text to e-mail me.