1969 Buick Riviera with GS option???

Discussion in 'Buick FAQ' started by landyachtlover, Feb 13, 2003.

  1. Hello All,

    I recently purchased a 1969 Buick Riviera. Upon picking up the car, I noticed it had a different type chrome piece on the hood, and bucket seats and a console. I don't know if it has the different suspension, I'm pretty sure it doesn't have discs up front, and I have not yet checked the rearend for the posi tag. Does anyone know if there is another identifier I could use to see if this car is a GS equipped car? Appreciate any help.

    Aaron
     
  2. Nailhead

    Nailhead Gold Level Contributor

    In the 1969 Features book used in the dealers the Riviera GS Option A9 consists of "heavy duty suspension, performance axle (3.42), positive traction differential, whitewall tires, chrome air cleaner and specific ornamentation".

    Can't see how you would tell for sure without a build sheet, which may be over the gas tank, under the rear seat, or elsewhere.

    Hope this helps!

    John
     
  3. Hey John,

    Yeah, anything helps. Wish I had more time to possibley look for the build sheet. I can't even tell what air cleaner the car had originally, the previous owners got rid of it, and replaced the intake with a new Edelbrock Performer Series setup. :Dou:

    Aaron
     
  4. GS464

    GS464 Hopelessly Addicted

    I had a 68 Riv GS for a few years. Here is what I found (and can remember) that differs from the regular Riv: Shocks, front and rear (probably calls for different valving), panhard rod on the rear, factory stock limited slip, chrome air cleaner cover, GS badges on the sides of the front fenders right under the way cool Riviera script, GS badge inside the car. Other than that, I know you could get a regular Riv with the buckets and console as I also looked at another Riv the same day I bought mine, at the same dealership. It had a regular air cleaner cover, no GS badging and it also did have the buckets and the console. Fortunately for me, the GS was bright red, black top and black vinyl interior. Much more zoomy looking than the light blue hard top with the matching cloth interior and hub caps. I don't know if the VIN changes on the Riv vs Riv GS as it did on the Skylark/Special vs the Gran Sport.
     
  5. Phil Racicot

    Phil Racicot Well-Known Member

    the only way to tell if the car is a GS by the vin number is, if the car was sold in Canada, to contact GM Canada. They have the microfilm information about these. I think that there is no way to know it for cars sold in US. The Sloan museum has microfilms for some newer cars but not for the 1969 models.
    However, it would be surprising to find a Riviera GS without the badges as the opposite is more common. I have seen non-GS cars with added badges at places where they shouldn't.
    My 1967 Riviera has GS badges on front fenders only and none on the dash. the sales litterature says it should but that is false on the 67 and later cars (it is true on the 66). Also, the GS package in 67 did include only: 3.42 posi, firmer suspension, "Star wars" air cleaner. My car also has fast ratio steering but I am not sure if it was included in the GS package. The documentation I ordered from GM Canada didn't mention it but people in the ROA club says it was an option on the GS. On the 69, the fast ratio steering option was cancelled as all cars had the new variable ratio steering and the air cleaner cover should be chrome plated. Many non-GS cars had bucket seats and consoles, custom interiors and chrome plated wheels just like many real GS had bench seats and hubcaps. Here is a link to the ROA website: What is a Riviera GS ? (part 2)
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2003
    Dano likes this.
  6. greg123

    greg123 New Member

    Many many years later .... could you send that link of what is a riviera GS
    Is it just the coil springs or leaf springs ? On the 1969 GS riv
     
  7. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    If it has the posi rear end (3:43?), the A/C pulley will be larger than others. This was to slow the speed of the pulley with the higher rev range.
     
  8. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

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