Erik, now that i think about the top it must have been an option during late 1972 BECAUSE my Riviera was the 32,424th Riv off the assembly line and i had a full top. So it must have been an option. 33,728 were produced in 1972. Trevor, I too would have no problem with the pin stripe as it was an option in some Buicks of 1972, called a "paint stripe."
I think the way the pin striping goes back on the doors and over the roof is actually correct. My '72 does the exact same thing, BUT, it stops at the front of the doors with both pins tapering together and into a point. I don't recall ever seeing it going on to the hood.
I can say that my '72 has the same "halo" roof and was made in the first week of April. I think this would be considered more mid year for the GM production calander.
Once again: It was available from day 1 in the 1972 model year. And Rob: Do you have a clue what's different in the photo of the earlier interior ?
Snug as a bug in a rug! It made it. Finally got an Ebay car that was what it was supposed to be. Needs new door rubber. Has some overspray that needs cleaning off. But, very nice.
Dan do you mean "Max Trac"? Erik, what's the difference? I have the full size brochure and can't think of much else. The "R" logo on the fake wood door panel? Yellow hand on the Electric Clock? John, tell your father Congrats on the car. Its a true beauty. :TU: :beer
Max Trac would be cool, although I would doubt that it would still work. I've seen a few cars with it, a couple even in the wreckers.
I got to take the big Boat on a trip yesterday. This was my first experience with a Boat-tail. I have driven many 60's Rivs over the years and my '70 as a regular driver for a couple of years now. Once, I drove dad's '64 and '68 Rivs several hundred miles a year. The '64 was classier, but the '68 was smoother on the hwy. My brother's '66 was between the other 2 in driving comfort to me. Then I got my '70 on the road and loved the way it drove. As good as the '68, with a little better brakes. BUT, none will compare to last nights trip in the '72!!! Drove to Knoxville to watch the Vols and Gators play football last night. A limo passed me on I-81 on the way. They loved the car. Rolled down the windows and all gave thumbs up. They then wanted us to cruise with them, so I did. This boat is smooth!!! Even at 105 mph. It looked like we would be late for the game, but drafting off the big limo at 100 made up serious time! We even took the lead for 15 or 20 miles. The boat is awesome. Its low compression 455 really suprised me too. Pulls very strong at cruise speed. Brakes well and handles sooooo much better than our other cars. It may not be as sporty looking, but it sure out shines in other catagories. Heck of a trip. Then got to see the best game I ever watched at Neyland Stadium. A day to remember. :beer :3gears:
The shorter vinyl top was shown in a small brochure showing sunroofs on Electras, Rivs and Skylark Sun coupes. It's not dated, but the short vinyl roof option doesn't show up in my Salesman price guide dated Jan 31, 1972. So the change must have been made after Jan 31. To be correct, the paint stripe should stop at the A pillar, just ahead of the mirror. That's the way it's shown in the brochure. For 73, the short vinyl roof was the only one offered. Buick also changed the Trip Alert/Speed Alert set up for 1973, from a two knob style to a one knob style, that's why it looks different on a 73.
