my friend bought this car from this dealer years ago.. it has since been redone. i cant find any info on any 72 stage one rivieras. apearantly this is the only car built.. i have drove it several times.. for a stage 1 its kinda slow.. so whats the deal on this car guys. i know he paid something like 30K for it. i really love the car. its beautiful and a blast to drive i was just wondering if there was any truth to it actually being a stage 1 and how to check the engine or vin or whatever buicks use for codes.. thanks. sorry i only have one picture of it behind the fury http://www.classicmusclecars.com/cgi-bin/swrm/det.cgi?id=113513111
To start with there is no such thing from the factory as a 71/72 Riviera stage1 sTAGE 1 IN THAT VIDEO IS NOTHING MORE THAN SALES HYPE and BS - The W code engine is the Riviera GS 455 NOT STAGE 1 Its looks to be and excellent GS Riviera and the stage1 just takes away from what it really is which is a rare find for sure. What did he get for documenation ??? send him to Boattail Registry we will go thru it with him. -- The Riviera GS 455 had the 330 hp large valve 455 (which certain groups want to call stage1 and are the same heads as an A body stage1) and the heavy valve springs with its own special cam (not the same cam as an A body stage1) - it did not use the stage 1 carb , dist, or fuel pump. The May Rivin it UPdate (hopefully attached - nope didn't work again any one who wants A copy just PM me AN EMAIL ADDRESS and i send you download for Apr/May issues - june is all about Boattail Rochester 4MV Decode & Part Numbers Qjet Stampings in deatil to the individual part numbers for each carb - you'll have to become a member to get that a nd future issues) goes into detail for 71-73 455's like production codes - cam differences and how to id them, what is isn't a stage 1 and other 455 specs and misconceptions , and gives engine/trans decode info for 71-73 455 Buicks. a few other pubs in the boattail specific library you get access to (searchable pdf copies of some and GBs of other downloads when you complete your members page ) when you register your boattail / or become an All Buicks library member see http://buick-libraries.boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/ and http://www.boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/ are <center> </center> Boattail Riviera Option-Production Numbers - Prices - Availability-Colors <center> </center> Documentation Decoding & Vehicle Matching Guide <center> </center> Boattail Option Lists - Windows Stickers+ Buick Order forms/prices and 72 specific that cover riviera <center> </center> 1972 Full Line Buick Chassis Service Manual - - GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 Fisher Body Service Manual - - GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 GM Electric Sunroof Manual - GM Corp - sent in by Mark Ollerton <center> </center> 1972 Full Line - Buick Assembly Ins sent Glenn Tangen - 1971 GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 GM Basic Specifications - Options/Prices - MSRPs - Jan 72 - Stock Holders Booklet GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 GM Stockholders - GM Full Line Brochure - GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 Buick Brochure Riviera Pages - zoom set for browsing pictures - GM Corp Manual- - sent in by - Glenn Tangen - GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 BUICK Warranty Card - GM Corp - sent in by Nelson <center> </center> 1972 Consumer Information Guide for Buick Riviera - - sent in by - -Glenn Tangen - - GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 Emissions Control Systems Maint/Warranty Info - - sent in by - Glenn Tangen - GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 BUICK Little Extras Brochure - - sent in by - - Glenn Tangen - - GM Corp <center> </center> 1972 Buick Factory Option Codes -Sent in by Glenn Tangen 1971 GM all the Buick Qjet carbs part number and diagrams 65-76 are in <center> </center> 1965-76 Parts Cat Carb Dia & Parts - GM Corp - sent in by Dana Laiche yearlier years and lots more coming - get the Rivin it UPdate freeview to whats in the works ---------- Post added at 10:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 AM ---------- PS the 73 Riviera (with the identical engine) W code in VIN was called Stage1 - and was a separate option from GS which for 73 was just the handling package -- in 71/72 you got both things and Trans upgrade and posi as part of the Riviera GS W code in VIN for 72. (WA code engine) Not id'd in VIN in 71 (TA code engine) 73 (XA code engine) all three years BT trans with performance axles (were matched to axle nothing to do with the engines). A body stage engine A body GS stage 1 Engine TS/WS/XS codes. When it comes down to it the A body GS Stage1 is just a Riviera GS 455 with a tweaked carb/ dist/ deep sump fuel pump/ and a hotter cam. and an A body GS is just a base Riviera 455 and a posi rear in the smaller car. - which is the basic definition of a muscle car - a light weight intermediate with a high performance version of the full size engine (stripped down for other divisions and manufactures - but not for Buicks).
