You wouldn't think that a Buick Riviera would make a great pro-street car, et here it is. This 1972 Buick Riviera is not only a glamorous "boattail" but it packs a 528 cubic inch monster of a motor and the suspension to back it up. If you've ever heard the phrase "iron fist in a silk glove," this Riv is the rolling embodiment of it.We know these Rivieras are polarizing; you either love them or hate them. But I don't think anyone will be doing any arguing with this brute, hich is not only scary fast, ut beautifully finished. The dark charcoal over black paint is suitably elegant for the luxurious Riv and thanks to a high-quality repaint not too long ago, t has an elegant and appropriate look. Sure, he modified air cleaner sticking up through the hood kind of gives it away, ut at a glance, his car looks like a heavyweight fighter dressed up in a tuxedo. The break in the two-tone paint scheme follows the dramatic fender line, hich, tself is a nod to the great Buicks of the '40s whose "sweep-spear" styling transformed the automotive landscape for years. Fit and finish is excellent, ith good gaps all around, hood that fits flush, nd that unique deck lid sitting just where it should. And for fun, omeone added three "venti-ports" on the front fender, nother nod to Buicks of the past. Add in some sparking chrome bumpers, ome bright stainless trim, nd you have a Riviera that's as impressive to look at as it is to drive.Remarkably, he interior is mostly stock, nd aside from the six-point roll cage and Simpson harnesses, till luxurious enough to be called a Buick. Buckets and a console are desirable options on the Riviera and the wide bucket seats are as comfortable today as they were in 1972 thanks to OEM upholstery that looks exactly right. The driver is surrounded by a vast array of gauges, big upgrade from the speedometer and fuel gauge offered by the factory instruments, ll the better to monitor the giant big block up front. A Hurst shifter has been neatly integrated into the original console and the woodgrain adds some warmth to the otherwise all-business interior. Decent original carpets, full-sized back seat, nd even the original AM/FM radio give this car a very stock look. The trunk is massive and nicely finished, lthough it's mostly filled with the fuel cell and battery, hich move critical weight rearward.That big, ante Red engine is a 528 cubic inch V8 built by the legendary Al Moody (you can ignore the sticker on the radiator shroud). TA Performance parts were used throughout the build, ncluding the cam, luminum heads, rankshaft, oller rockers, nd a host of other goodies that make it combat-ready. Up top, here's a ProForm 4-barrel carburetor inhaling through custom snorkels fed by the former high-beam headlight holes. The engine bay is nicely dressed for show but it runs even better than it looks, lthough with 800+ horsepower on tap, hat shouldn't be a surprise. The built TH400 3-speed automatic doesn't seem to mind the torque and feeds a reinforced Moser Ford 9-inch rear end with 4.10 gears on a limited slip. The thundering dual exhaust has cut-outs for the track, ut nobody's going to mistake this for an old man's car. Handsome Torque Thrust wheels update the look a bit and wear 205/70/15 radials up front and giant Goodyear drag radials in back.Beautifully finished, ncredibly fast, nd just plain insane, his big Buick delivers the goods in every way, nd if you want to make a statement, othing says it better than an 800 horsepower luxury coupe. Call now!
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