1975 Electra is the longest. Indeed, at 233.4"; The 1930's-40's Series 90 Limiteds had longer wheelbases, but much shorter over overhangs, and were shorter overall. I believe the weight in the "Standard Catalogue" for the Electra is without a/c? The original window sticker for my '75 Limited shows a/c as an option. Perhaps the Riv came w/ a/c standard? The Centurions are a foot or more shorter, easy to see the difference in weight to the Electra. Plus, from '71 to '75, most of the additional weight in similar models is definitely from the impact-resistant bumper systems.
The first year for standard A/C on a Buick was 1979 (on the Riviera) In 1980, it was standard on Electras too. The newest Electra that I saw that missed this option was a 1976 Limited coupe. More than 99% of Electra Limiteds had A/C back then (about 60% came with the manual A/C, 40% withthe Automatic Climate Control). In 1975, only 53 Limiteds 4 door hardtops didn't have it, that was 0.2%.
A '71-'72 Centurion is 221.9 Also the Estate Wagon in '72 is shorter than the electra in '73. Fun fact. :Smarty:
If my car would have been a few inches longer I wouldn't be able to take the corner around the back of the house... Lucky ducky..
Even in 68 95% of all Riviera's had A/C, and I have one that doesn't! Also, I have an AM FM Stereo radio with power antenna, and I *think* that option was MORE expensive than A/C! (at 260 dollars or so!) Frank
Wow Frank! I never noticed your Riv didnt have A/C. The first owner must have truly only wanted the performance and not alot of the luxurys like most other Rivs. Cool Frank. :bglasses: :beer
Most of the non a/c cars must have been sold here as they very often lack it. My 67 also lacked it but I was able to locate two 67 parts cars (that were originally sold in the US) that had it. Other than the few Rivs that were originally sold in the US that later crossed the border, all the 67 Rivs I have seen lacked it! (and many 68 Rivs lacked it too). Manual A/C (or Climate Control) was selling for about 460$ and Automatic Climate Control was selling for about 500$. It was one of the most popular options but it was also the most expensive one! One of the reasons why even Rivs and Cadillacs lacked A/C here is because the dealers were often not equipped to service A/C systems so they were not ordering cars with it... Stereo radios like ours, power locks, cruise control, the console, rear defroster, GS package and disc brakes were much cheaper to buy but they were much less popular than A/C was.
That makes my 62 Electra 225 at 220.3" seem kind of small, which is probably a good thing since the 62 is a pretty tight fit in my garage. :grin:
How does that work? Geez The emissions? My 85 Monte Carlo was a mere 3301 and my 71 Riviera is a 4586 (both according to my NY State Registrations)
Frank you could have manual AC for $421.28 , or AUTO AC for $499.94 and the AM/FM Stereo Radio with Electric Antenna was only $266.81, throw in an 8 Track Tape Deck and you were up to $383.64 ! My car did not have AC, and was originally sold in Montreal, Canada. I wonder how many '68s had the rear window defroster option ? ($21.05) - that was also a necessity for our cooler Canadian climate. :TU: Try and find a glovebox for a '68 non AC car ! :af: :af: :af:
What's the difference between a glove box for an A/C car and for one that doesn't? I know where was a 68 without A/C in a local junkyard. I don't know if it's still there and the yard's owner is completely crazy so I don't go there anymore... My 67 also lacked A/C but I found a parts car (a non-GS 67 Riv that had the same exterior and interior color as mine) that came from the US that had manual A/C and installed it in mine. I used the compressor from another Riviera GS that I parted out as the other Riv had a smaller pulley. The 67 Riviera GS parts car was also a US car and it had Automatic Climate Control (which wasn't working).
I do have the rear window defroster option, and it seems to work (unlike my power antenna). Here are my options: Frank
I just looked at one of those "Flexibles" last nite. That thing is long. the owner said 20 ft. Had windows in the back instead of the "hearst" enclosure. I forget what year it was. 60's something. Pretty cool old car.
