1971 Buick Riviera - All Original Boattail!

In this 75th Video from Classic Car ChitChat you will get to see a beautiful 1971 Buick Riviera and it is the most sought-after Boattail. The car was designed by Harley Earl who also designed the Corvettes and was found in Ohio. The Buick has the 455 Big Block Engine with factory AC. Frank as many of you know has a little collection of beauties and this Buick was the one he had been waiting for and it’s easy to see why. Well worth the 40 year wait!
In case you are keeping Track this is Video # 75 of Classic Car ChitChat Videos!
I hope my Classic Car ChitChat video’s make you smile. I do them in my spare time because I truly love cars and my intentions are simply to honour the beautiful cars I get to see and to really understand the passion and love of the vehicle by the driver (or caretaker as Jay Leno would say) of the car. I also understand too that my videos perhaps lack the polish calibre of great KZbinrs like: Doug DeMuro, Scotty Kilmer, and of course my favourite Supercar Blondie. I also know that I can’t even come close the quality & finish you get from the likes of Jeremy Clarkson and the boys at Top Gear. I think they use a little fancier equipment than my little iPhone… LOL
Mission Statement:
My Objective through creating these videos is to shine the spotlight on people who love their vehicles whether it be a car, motorcycle, or even a bicycle…. Bottom line is if it has wheels and you love it then let’s show that passion to the world!
Equipment Used:
Camera - Just an iPhone SE (Nothing fancy - which proves anyone can use whatever you have handy to make a video… you don’t need really expensive equipment)
Gimbal - DJI OM4 - For that ultra-smooth cinematic look. (To be honest... still not quite sure how to use it but one day I will figure it out!)
Audio - Rode Wireless GO II (I gotta be honest… this is really the biggest investment that was made… I wish there was a cheaper option but after the first couple of videos I soon realized that audio quality is important and hopefully better than the onboard mic on the iPhone!
Contact Details: If you have any questions or just want to chat you can reach me through all the (non-traditional) typical ways through the following:
Facebook - / classiccarchitchat
Instagram - / classiccarchitchat
Email - [e-mail]
If you have read this far, then I thank you. As always, I truly appreciate your “thumbs-up”, and by leaving your comments it demonstrates to me that I managed to get you involved and hopefully made you smile. Most importantly when you subscribe to my channel then you are truly acknowledging my effort to help share with others like you my passion and love for “all things that have wheels” and honouring the people who take care of them.
Thank You
Kevin

[@Jeff_Brown659]

The boat tail is my favorite design. I never thought the cream color would look so good.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Same here!

[@bradparris99]

Awesome Riviera. I would love to have one myself, maybe one day. If I did have one, I would definitely wear the shoulder belt that is up on the headliner. Back in 1978 I turned 16 and my grandfather handed down to me his 1970 Buick Electra. I was thrilled. After about a week of seeing "Fasten Seat Belts" printed above the steering column, I decided to try out those old-style belts- like the ones in the Riviera- mainly out of curiosity. So, I buckled up and took a drive. Aside from the obvious safety aspect of wearing both the lap and shoulder belts, I was amazed at how much better the car drove, rode and handled while strapped in. I was soon in the habit of buckling up every time I drove the car. I would get in, turn the ignition, push in the lighter, buckle both the lap and shoulder belts, light a cigarette and drive off. Fast forward to 1982 and I was coming home from college one weekend when a drunk driver in a Chevrolet Suburban crossed the center line and hit me on. Both vehicles were totaled. However, because if the size of the Electra and its sturdy build plus the fact that I was wearing both the lap and shoulder belts, I walked away with bruises from the belts and minor cuts and scratches. The Suburban driver was wearing a 3- point seat belt but had the shoulder strap under his left arm, basically a 3-point lap belt, suffered massive head and chest injuries from slamming into the steering wheel. The unbelted passenger was ejected through the windshield and landed on the mangled hood of the Suburban. He had broken bones and head trauma. There are two collisions in a car crash. The first is the vehicle impacting another object such as another vehicle. The second is the occupants impacting the interior of the vehicle or being ejected. That is why it is absolutely imperative to wear those separate shoulder belts in conjunction with the lap belts. It is amazing how two pieces of nylon webbing can make such a difference in a car crash

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Brad, That is quite a moment if proof was ever needed that seat belts do save lives. I recall when I got my MG it only had lap belts and somehow it never felt right. The very next spring I managed to find after market 3 point belts from the UK that with the help of my neighbour and some custom brackets I was able to mount them. It does ´feel’ safer but I know in such a tiny car, I drive like it is a motorcycle.. that nobody can see me and to plan ahead for every possible situation when possible.

[@bradparris99]

@@ClassicCarChitChat In the MG you were smart to add shoulder belts and practice defensive driving. In that Riviera you reviewed, lap belts alone is a false sense of safety and you and especially the owner need to get in the habit of wearing them. I enjoy your channel. Buckle up and enjoy the cars.

[@juliafinch359]

This is a great video and one of my dream cars. I wish I could find something like this Gem perhaps I will have to wait 40 years too. 😀

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Thank you Julia.

[@robertshafer5914]

Great car, I have enjoyed mine for 10 years now

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Robert, First of all thank you so very much for watching my videos and subscribing to my channel I truly appreciate it. My intention for the videos is to allow ´ordinary people’ who love cars an opportunity to speak about their car and why that car means so much to them. After all we are all the "caretakers"of our cars (as Jay Leno rightly says). 👏 you are a lucky man indeed. I have always loved the lines on the Monte Carlo and the sheer size of this gorgeous car always takes my breath away too. Is your car the same colour?

[@bradparris99]

You are one lucky man to have one. Hopefully you, unlike the owner of this one, are in the habit of wearing both the lap and separate shoulder belts.

[@kaitoriyama6913]

Awesome car with so much potential to keep it as it is or make it one sweet low rider too.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Thank you Kai

[@kenrobertson4109]

This is one of the most sought after cars of all time and in incredible condition. He is one lucky dude.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Hi Ken. You are so right. The car is just stunning

[@steveriley1178]

I have always loved this car and had always wanted one too. Sadly never happened for me but thrilled for Frank to want to keep this car all original.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Thank you Steve

[@troycobb6925]

This is my dream car. Like Frank I fell in love with this car the first time I saw it. I too had my uncle James who had one and ended up having to sell it to raise money for some repairs to the cattle shed. I love the story in this video and great content. Well done.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Thank you Troy, I understand what you saying.

[@jamesshilton597]

I have never seen one of these in the UK but boy what a beautiful machine. I love that boat tail design. Very AMERICAN! - I love it.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Thank you James. Certainly a very cool car.

[@frankename1984]

This is one of my favorite cars of all time. Great video as always.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Thank you Frank.

[@rubennevarez7508]

Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Ruben, thank you so much for watching my videos and subscribing to my channel I truly appreciate it. Frank is a little bit of a connoisseur of cars. This particular car was the one that always seemed to get away from his grasp until now. You can see why the car is so why. She is absolutely beautiful.

[@AcrossTheMap]

Nice ride. Wrong on the trunk lid drainage. There are 4 rubber drain flappy things, 2 on the left, 2 on the right of the trunk lid, pretty much where it meets the bumper. Take a good look there. Took me a sec to figure out on mine. cheers. 71, bucket seats here.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Acrossthemap, First of all thank you so very much for watching my videos and subscribing to my channel I truly appreciate it. My intention for the videos is to allow "ordinary" people who love cars an opportunity to speak about their car and why that car means so much to them. Great advice too. I will certainly share the details with Frank (not exactly computer savvy). Sounds like you have a beautiful car too. Kevin

[@Arthur-hg7ny]

Corrections: Let’s recognize the late GM designer Jerry Hirshberg credited for the design, not Harley Earl. You don’t have the original engine color which was red. Buick used red from 1966-1971. I don’t know why it’s green. You should paint it back correctly. Bamboo cream, if you waited 40 years for it you should know the color. The system is called Full Flo Ventilation. The car is just over 18 ft not 22.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Arthur, First of all thank you so very much for watching my videos and subscribing to my channel I truly appreciate it. My intention for the videos is to showcase the car and also allow the owner of the car (the caretaker as Jay Leno rightly says) the opportunity to share their story, love and passion for their car. You certainly are an aficionado on the Buick and appreciate your feedback. I will be sure to share the insight with the owner. I know Frank would like to restore this beauty back to it’s original specs. Would you be willing to chat with Frank and give him some of your insight. I would be happy to connect the two of you. You could email me privately at [e-mail] and and I could connect you to Frank. Thank you again. Kevin

[@JxT1957]

Kinda like a jumbo Corvette. i used to own two 1971 Rivieras back in the day. I like the 1971 boat tail Rivi the best because it has the grills in the trunk lid that the other years don't have. The 1973 boat tail doesnt look as pointy in the back.

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Jxt, thanks for your comments. I also wanted to take a moment to personally thank for taking the time to watching my videos, leaving a comment and for subscribing to my channel I truly appreciate it. My intention when creating these videos is to showcase not only the beautiful car but give the owner an opportunity to share their story, love and passion for their car. Thanks again Kevin.

[@davejohnson2814]

Another great video and how many cars does Frank have???

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

😂.. Frank has a few and all of them are so cool.

[@diegovasquez7048]

This is what I call one sweet ride. Hey Kevin I am interested in buying this car can you connect me to Frank?

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Thank you a Diego. I will run it by Frank but I doubt if he would be interested in selling her.

[@wolfgang3026]

Chevy belair 57 purple

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Wolfgang.. I bet the purple looks spectacular. I think that colour really accentuates the lines on the car. I also wanted to take a moment to personally thank for taking the time to watching my videos, leaving a comment and for subscribing to my channel I truly appreciate it. My intention when creating these videos is to showcase not only the beautiful car but give the owner an opportunity to share their story, love and passion for their car. Thanks again Kevin.

[@robrobster9148]

Nice Riv. Why did they paint the engine green though?

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Rob, great question I wondered that too. I will see if I can find out. I also wanted to take a moment to personally thank for watching my videos and subscribing to my channel I truly appreciate it. As you may have seen in my videos that my intention is to showcase not only the beautiful car and really give the owner of the car (the caretaker as Jay Leno rightly says) the opportunity to share their story, love and passion for their car. Thanks again Kevin.

[@robrobster9148]

@@ClassicCarChitChat it is a great video. Great atmosphere/humor🙂

[@brerrabbit9585]

There was a `71 Riv in my old neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. Red with a black vinyl top. The owner had the vinyl top extended to he 'point' on the trunk AND he had a vinyl strip across the rear window to 'split' it like a `63 Corvette. It was just about the ugliest thing I ever saw on a car!

[@ClassicCarChitChat]

Berrabbit (love the name). I feel your pain. Why would anyone ruin such a beautiful car with perhaps the best lines of the generation. I also wanted to take a moment to personally thank for watching my videos and subscribing to my channel I truly appreciate it. As you may have seen in my videos that my intention is to showcase not only the beautiful car and really give the owner of the car (the caretaker as Jay Leno rightly says) the opportunity to share their story, love and passion for their car. Kevin.