ORIGINAL 1973 BUICK RIVIERA GS 'W' CODE STAGE ONE 455/260HP V8 2 DOOR HARDTOP RUNNING & DRIVING PROJECT CAR
West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptionally rare example of this 1973 Buick Riviera GS 'W' Code Stage 1 455/260HP 7.4L 4 Bbl V8 Hardtop in its original 'Brown Metallic' (color code 68) factory color paint with a complimenting and all original 'Saddle' (trim code 686) color interior and its original 'Dark Brown' (code R) Vinyl Roof with its original 'W' code 455/260HP 4 barrel V8 engine with a correct casting number 1241735 (1972-75 455 V8) for this model car and matching #'s GS (XS Code) 260HP engine and of course the car has the Stage 1 'W' code designated VIN # necessary for a Stage 1 car!
Original factory options including:
Gran Sport Package ($171)
Stage 1 Option ($139)
Vinyl Roof ($125)
Hydra-matic Automatic Transmission
Power Windows ($129)
Power Steering
Power Seats ($103)
Power Mirrors
Power Locks ($69)
Styled Road Wheels ($118)
AM/FM stereo with 8 track tape ($363)
Power Front Disc Brakes
Dual Exhaust
Tilt Wheel
Custom Steering Wheel
Deluxe Wheel Covers
Protective Body Side Moldings
Custom Rocker Panel Moldings
Electric Clock
Glove Box Light
Trunk Light
Double-Panel Roof Construction
The car still boats its original factory color 'Brown Metallic' paint with the factory Short Vinyl roof in original 'Dark Brown' covering and also boasting its very nice all original factory interior including the dashboard, steering wheel, carpets and seats. It's original spare wheel and jack are in the trunk. The car is also very well optioned from the factory.
Recently acquired from Santa Fe, New Mexico ownership with some 87K original miles and with no signs of any accidents but with some minor rust bubbles now showing in the quarter panels and rockers but with the floor boards, trunk and all the typically rust-prone areas solid and rust free - obviously a most likely always garaged driver since new but obviously being sold as a running surviving cosmetic project due to the minor rust and the numerous dents and scratches as seen in the photos in the paint and body.
The original '455/260HP' 4 barrel V8 engine is actually extremely strong and powerful and the suspension is tight and smooth and the steering is excellent and the transmission shifts smoothly through the gears.
1 OF ONLY 1,234 GS STAGE ONE RIVIERAS BUILT IN 1973
Beginning with the '73 model the Stage 1 emblem was first used to identify the optional engine package with the Stage 1 badge was attached to the grille and the only difference in the appearance of the engine was the addition of a chromed lid on the air cleaner, during these years the GS option was a ride and handling package only and now that the GS was replaced with the Stage 1 as the engine option, Buick changed the color of the GS emblems to Gold rather than the traditional Red. The Stage 1 package included the modified engine, chrome air cleaner and a posi rear with an axle ratio of 3.23 and if the car were equipped with both options it would have both emblems. There were only a limited number of 1,234 cars built with both options.
Being both rare with only 1,234 built, and polarizing, thanks to its Bill Mitchell designed boat-tail styling the GS Stage One Riviera stands out even more in the detuned realm of 1973 with a reportedly recorded 0-60 in less than 9 seconds, quite the feat for such a luxury car weighing more than two tons. The Riviera Stage 1 was not a sub-model, but rather a $139 performance upgrade and as with all Stage 1 engines, the performance was derived thanks to a specific camshaft, heavy-duty valve springs and oversized valves. A deep-sump fuel pump was included as well. Equipped with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, the 455 V8 engine was rated for 260 hp and 380-lb.ft. of torque.
Visually, the Riviera's Stage 1 engine was spruced up only with a chrome air-cleaner lid without an engine call-out decal, but with an engine dress-up kit available from the dealer which included decals and chromed ribbed rocker-arm covers. Buick installed all Rivieras, regardless of engine choice, with a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic which in standard configuration was shifted on the column in standard bench seat mode but with a center-console option available for bucket seat models. In 1973 the GS option was a 'Ride and Handling Package' not required specifically for the Stage 1 option, and neither was the Stage 1 option required for the installation of the GS package. What the Stage 1 did require was the automatic upgrade to the Positive Traction differential containing a 3.23:1 gearset. It was possible to order both packages simultaneously like this particular example, but reportedly very few buyers did, making this one very rare model, especially with other rare factory options that were available during the '73 model year included the sporty 15-inch chrome-plated five-spoke Road Wheels with the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic being standard in every 1973 Riviera, even the sporty Stage 1 editions.
This is a great opportunity to own a great daily driving project example of a surviving original and accident free 1973 Buick Riviera GS Stage 1 Hardtop, with Boat Tails now becoming increasingly collectible and hard to find and fast becoming more desirable than ever before, this is a great opportunity to own a highly desirable and collectible example of one of the outstanding GM designs of the early seventies, a fun project that's sure to appreciate over the years for any classic American muscle car collector or simply any Buick enthusiast looking for an extraordinarily rare GS Stage 1 third generation Riviera!
