Blown Buicks

[bryanthomas]

Hey guys, I am in love with 1971-73 boat-tail Rivieras. Along with a '68 Lincoln Continental and a '96 Dodge Viper, the Riviera is an automobile that I hope to some day have in my dream garage. Anyways, I am all about classics being fully restored to OEM spec, so when I buy a Riviera that is how it will be; but I am curious if you guys have ever seen one of these massive 455s with a blower. I've looked online but unfortunately I can't find any really awesome websites for the Riviera. (I did note that this car has a big following in Holland as well as the UK, which I thought of as odd) I know that this car was designed as a cruiser, but gearheads being gearheads I'm sure that there are some folks out there tuning these things. I'm a young guy with a passion for old cars, so any info is greatly appreciated.

[gpfarrell]

I really liked those boattails too!

Did Buick ever offer the Stage 1 package in those? That was quite a monster... might be something to think about instead of a blower.

[martyo]

There is a guy who ran a gorgeous Riviera up at Dallas, GA (Southeastern Dragway) before it closed this season. You ought to try to track him down.

[bryanthomas]

I really liked those boattails too!

Did Buick ever offer the Stage 1 package in those? That was quite a monster... might be something to think about instead of a blower.

Stage 1? Can you elaborate on this option?

[MAD-3R]

My wife has also fallen for this car and we've done some research on it.

Buick offered the 455 in two config in the Riv. The GS was the top end with a four barrel Carb

As for a blower ... That is ALOT of rotating mass to be upping compresion on. I've never heard of one being done. Not saying you couldn't, but I wouldn'y want to try with out a complete teardown, ballance to micro levels, and rebuilt with the absoute highest quality parts avalable.

[bryanthomas]

Wikipedia is the tits:

GSX

The 400 was replaced for 1970 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970) with the 455 in³ Buick V8 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V8_engine#455), used in both the GS 455 " GS stage1 " and new GSX / GSX Stage1. The base model monster V8 produced 350 hp (260 kW) and a stump pulling 510 ft.lbf (691 Nm)at a low 2800 RPM's. The optional Stage 1 engine produced an underrated 360 hp (269 kW). Output and sales were down for the next few years largely due to reduced engine compression ratios and a change from gross to net horsepower ratings, with the GSX and big-block V8 dropped after

I love that they refer to it as "stump pulling." The early 1970s was definitely the end of an era not only for big blocks but also for bold styling. It is for these two reasons alone I have so much love for the boat-tails.

[Cheeseheadbob]

Check out www.V8buick.com (http://www.V8buick.com) or www.buick-riviera.com (http://www.buick-riviera.com) According to a guy who works with me and owns a '71 Riv, these sites are quite helpful. Good luck.
I'm a young guy with a passion for old cars, so any info is greatly appreciated.

[MAD-3R]

Stage 1? Can you elaborate on this option?

The stage 1 was a package offered by Buick on GS in 1970. When people talk Torque Monsters, they are talking about this thing. They weren't faster cars, (buy 10th) but off the showroom floor, these beasts would lift the front left tire off the ground from a dead stop.

[Zack]

www.taperformance.com

[BUICKMAN]

Glad To See There Are Some Other "buick People" Here In This Group. They Made Some Great Cars In The past. I Have 4 old Buicks, But I Have 1 new Marauder.

[chicago_cop]

Hey guys, I am in love with 1971-73 boat-tail Rivieras. Along with a '68 Lincoln Continental and a '96 Dodge Viper, the Riviera is an automobile that I hope to some day have in my dream garage. Anyways, I am all about classics being fully restored to OEM spec, so when I buy a Riviera that is how it will be; but I am curious if you guys have ever seen one of these massive 455s with a blower. I've looked online but unfortunately I can't find any really awesome websites for the Riviera. (I did note that this car has a big following in Holland as well as the UK, which I thought of as odd) I know that this car was designed as a cruiser, but gearheads being gearheads I'm sure that there are some folks out there tuning these things. I'm a young guy with a passion for old cars, so any info is greatly appreciated.


I'm just finishing a Buick project. A 1950 fastsback coup. Total OM outside, and all new inside. A Monster motor is a great idea. I put a Chevy Crate motor in mine. Fuel injected 350 hp, 400 ft.lb tq. The motor is respectable but with the amount of money I have in it I would not race it anyway. I'm not sorry I went with the Fuelie as it starts, and runs like a modern engine with none of the problems with carberators. Hot Rod had a web site for Crate motors for Olds 455s. I believe crate motors are the way to go. They have 3 sizes, from 482 to 500cu in. Monster Power. Good Luck

[DEFYANT]

Buicks are an old mans car :D

[chicago_cop]

Buicks are an old mans car :D

I am an old man !! But old Buicks are Rolling Works of Art, as well as a lot of other old style cars. That is Why they call them Classics. Not the Appliances of today. Fifty years from now who will care about them??

[MENINBLK]

Buicks are an old mans car :D

And all our Old Mans had an ear to ear GRIN too !!!

Buicks were the ****zle before Cadillac woke up.

[the_pack_rat]

Buicks - Oldsmobiles - Lincolns and even our Mercury's ......

Have all been called old man's cars ..... it never stopped me. I take it as a compliment when I look at all "look-alike" generic crap they make these days.

Oldsmobile tried oh-so-hard to shed themselves of the "your father's Oldsmobile" ..... image by making POS generic cars w/absolutely NOOOOOOOOOOO history behind them .....

It ultimately lead to their un-timely demise ..... but that's a rant for another time.

My favorite of the Rivs -

63-65
66-67
79-85

I had a 64 & a 77. I should should be beaten w/a bag of oranges 24/7 for the rest of my life, for selling the 64.

http://www.rivowners.org

Some boat-tail stuff on their links page -

http://www.rivowners.org/links.html

They have an email list as well -

http://www.rivowners.org/riviera-l.html

Be sure to check out the (3) part article - "What is a Grand Sport/GS/Stage 1 ?" as well.

http://www.rivowners.org/feature.html

Pics of a 64 - a 66 & an 85 from classifieds around the net' .......

http://i21.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/50/44/b9_3.JPG?set_id=100D



http://images.traderonline.com/img/10/dealer/918273/81508348_1.jpg



http://images.traderonline.com/img//img/10/dealer/2907164/82356911_1.jpg