1971 Buick Boattail Riviera

Completely redesigned for 1971, the Riviera boasted a new chassis. Above the side contour is the graceful fastback that slides into the rear window, and eventually into the gently sloping rear decklid--in profile. Looking at the aft end from any other angle reveals an angular rear window that wraps around to the top of the fender, as it becomes the boattail. If one were to focus strictly on the rear window, it's strikingly similar to the Corvette, except that the Corvette does not feature the pronounced point molded into not only the rear panel and trunk lid, but also the rear bumper. The 1971 Riviera incorporated a new ventilation system that provided improved ventilation comfort, made possible by the addition of air vent provisions on the trunk lid. 71 Riviera's are the only year of the boattails to have this. Flowing from the upper tip of the front fenders are sweeping sculptured sides, blending into the door panels, yet strong enough to hark back to the day of the Sweepspear design. It strengthens rapidly just aft of the door on its approach to the fully exposed rear wheel wells, eventually becoming a pronounced fender line. As seen on this car, the Sweepspear shape of the profile was accentuated by body side protective molding fitted as a dealer option, which became a standard feature in 1972.