Today’s Pick: 1972 Buick Riviera

this Daily Selection yes A 1972 Buick Riviera is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Alabama.

The third-generation Buick Riviera got me hooked. That was about 20 years ago, when I was a student at the University of Texas at Austin. I was as obsessed with cars then as I am now, but my horizons were much narrower. I was primarily drawn to new European and exotic cars, although I also enjoyed driving around with my best friend, Jacob, in his Honda S2000. While domestic cars from the 1950s and 1960s were part of my childhood, I had yet to develop a greater appreciation for the American cars of the past.

That changed one afternoon when I was walking around the University of Texas campus. A classmate of mine roared down the street in a car I had never seen before. It was a huge, hulking car with a candy-like burnt orange paint job. I knew it was from a different decade, but the money clearly spent on restoration and customization meant that its paint and giant aftermarket wheels were all brand new. Its visual presence was matched by the sheer power of its dual exhaust tips, emitting a sound that was undoubtedly enhanced by aftermarket hardware. I was hooked.

As the Riviera passed me, I turned my head and followed it step by step. I took one last (and long) look at the land yacht and was struck by it. The Riviera’s stern was both confusing and exciting. There was something bold, indulgent, and even a little risqué about that tapered rear. Ever since then, that version of the Riviera has been on my list of most wanted Buicks. I have never looked at a vintage American car the same way again.

The ’72 Riviera shown here is impressive in its own way. It doesn’t have fancy paint or huge wheels, but it doesn’t need them. It’s perfect just on its own. No word on the official name of the paint color, only “brown” is listed. If it is indeed the factory color, it’s probably Polished Bronze, judging by Buick’s exterior color chart for this year’s models. Whatever it is, it looks great on this car. The same goes for all the trim, which looks shiny and straight.

Inside, the seats are covered in what appears to be sandalwood vinyl. This muted color complements the surrounding brown carpet and woodgrain trim; the dashboard trim with engine finish adds a bright metallic touch and highlights the low number on the odometer, which currently reads 8,452 miles. Amenities include a tilt steering column, air conditioning, and a more modern radio.

Under the V-shaped hood is a massive 455ci V8 From the tugboatThe factory compression ratio is 8.5:1 and it is equipped with a four-chamber carburetor. The power is transmitted to the rear white wheel through a column-type automatic transmission.

If this is your This is your first look at the Riviera, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be your last. After contacting your dealer for pricing, you can always buy this car and see its bold styling.

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