As you probably have noticed I am in the market for a "Boat Tail". I'm way more familiar with the 63'-65' Rivi's then I am with the 71'-73'.

I was wondering if someone would be kind enough to explain the differences between the 71' and the 72' Riviera?

Thank you in advance!

Rich

Rich,
I was in the same BOAT as you a few months back having owned many first generations and then buying a '71.
From what I have learned, 72's have an egg crate grille and 71 had a horizontal grille. 72 had the louvers deleted from the decklid. 72's taillights don't have certain lines in them as 71s did. Many of the 72 bumpers have the rubber moulding protecting the sharp edges.
I'm sure there are many other details I may not have learned about yet.

Rich,

If you care to do a little reading, visit the ROA website at www.rivowners.org and click on the link in the upper left hand corner "Evolution of the Riviera". There you will find year by year summaries of the features and differences between the model years. The 1971 summary is especially interesting.

Most of what you are looking for can be found in those articles. Beyond that, additional questions can be answered by the knowledgeble folks here on this forum.

I think I can add that the 72 has a side trim molding.
I have heard that the light monitors were a dealer installed option late 71, and factory optioned in 72 ( I could stand to be corrected here!).
The hp rating of the 72 was changed from 71 to 72 to net from gross in 71.Hence the large 'apparent' drop in hp from 71 to 72.
I also think the interior door panel pattern changed somewhere between 71 and 72 production years.
Max trac option was offered in 72, and , I'm not sure but I think it wqas new in 72.
I have a 72, so I'll watch here and maybe learn of a few subtle differences.

Thank you very much for all of the great info!

My car ('71 GS) has a Max Trac computer but the wires are clipped. Side trim, grill, tailights, bumper rubber- that's all I can think of for now too.

72 was the first year of what I called the "polution pump" a major upgrade/degrade from the former pcv valve.