1970 · Buick · United States
1970 Buick Riviera: The 455 and a Silent Price List
The 455 (370 hp gross) arrived with a restyle; production fell to about 37,300 with some 3,505 GS cars.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
The 1970 Riviera was restyled with exposed headlamps, Wikipedia's own account states, and gained a new 455-cubic-inch V-8 rated 370 horsepower SAE gross, replacing the 430. The Riviera Owners Association lists 37,336 Rivieras for the year, including 3,505 with the GS handling option, every one carrying the new 455; this record's own key facts section adds that the Evolution article describes production falling about 30 percent, with the 455 paired to a three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic 400.1,2,3
This record's own conflicts section documents a 1970 total-production disagreement, 37,336 from the Owners Association against 37,366 from Wikipedia's second-generation section, both shown without resolution and treated as too close to call. On the GS row itself, this record's own note explains that the Owners Association's source prints the figure as "3.505," read here as 3,505 rather than a decimal, a transcription quirk the note flags rather than silently corrects.2,1
This record's own identification section carries the year's VIN pattern in full, a Buick digit, 94 for Riviera, 87 for the two-door hardtop, a 0 for 1970, a plant letter from eight assembly points, and a six-digit production number. Its own engine-code entry shows a genuine disagreement between two of this record's sources: the Owners Association lists the 1970 455 as code SR or SF, used in every Riviera including the GS, and its own GS table gives SF specifically, while TeamBuick's table instead splits the two codes by output, SF for the 455 at 370 horsepower with 10.5:1 compression and SR for a 350-horsepower 455 at 10.0:1, a distinction the Owners Association's own text does not draw. The same section describes 1970 GS identification as a red GS emblem on the front fenders ahead of the wheels, above the side lights, with no Riviera script on the 1970 fenders at all, a chromed air-cleaner lid, and no separate GS dash emblem.4,5,6
This record's own options section itemizes 49 entries, and nearly every one carries no price at all, each marked simply that the source gives none for the year; the A9 GS option itself is one of them. Where the options section falls silent, the Evolution article fills part of the gap: it puts the GS package at $132, covering the ride-and-handling package, a chrome air-cleaner cover and GS monograms over the side lights, and gives its axle as 3.42 against the standard car's 2.78. The same article says 1970 was the last year power disc brakes were offered as an option, standard from 1971 on; that manual air conditioning, priced at $442 in the article though not in the options section itself, reached 96.99 percent of 1970 Rivieras; and that a vinyl roof, offered in five colours, was installed on 87.5 percent of the year's cars.5,3
This record's own paint table carries 16 colours from the Owners Association's 1970 chart, its own note excluding seven further Buick codes marked not available on the Riviera and flagging a naming mismatch of its own: the chart itself prints "Comet Gold" for code G-55, while TeamBuick's Buick-wide colour list names the same code "Cornet Gold." Its interiors section carries 16 trims spanning standard vinyl bench and bucket colours and a wider set of optional notchback bench and bucket choices in vinyl or cloth-and-vinyl.7
This record's own specifications section carries eight 1970 figures: a 4,351-pound curb weight, a 119.0-inch wheelbase, front and rear track of 63.4 and 63.0 inches, a 215.2-inch overall length, a 79.3-inch width, a 53.6-inch height, an H78x15 tire size, and a rear axle ratio of 2.78 standard against 3.42 on the GS. This record's own prices section carries a single figure, $4,854 for the sport coupe, and its own unpublished-leads section is empty for the year.8,3,5
Fact sheet · 1970 · United States
The numbers
1970 Buick Riviera and Riviera GS — The 455 (370 hp gross) arrived with a restyle; production fell to about 37,300 with some 3,505 GS cars.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera, all2,1,4 Riviera incl. GS · 2-door hardtop · not stated by source See conflicts. TeamBuick prints 37,336 as well (years/70.php). | Unknown | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera GS handling option2 Riviera GS · 2-door hardtop · 455 V-8 · automatic · not stated by source ROA prints "3.505"; read as 3,505. | 3,505 | built, model-year | Reported |
The GS row is a subset of the total.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Riviera sport coupe (9487)5,3,9 | $4,854 | manufacturer's suggested retail price as transcribed by the Riviera Owners Association, 1970 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 455 V-82,1 455 cu in · 4-barrel | 370 hp (SAE gross) | standard (only engine) | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
A9order code (Buick option code) |
Riviera GS option (heavy-duty suspension, performance axle, Positive Traction differential, whitewall tires, chrome air cleaner and specific ornamentation)5,3 | — | Not yet sourced |
B4order code (Buick option code) |
Full Length Console (Bucket Seats Required)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
C1order code (Buick option code) |
Power Disc Brakes5,3 | — | Not yet sourced |
D1order code (Buick option code) |
Sonomatic Radio5 | — | Not yet sourced |
D4order code (Buick option code) |
AM-FM Stereo Radio (Includes Rear Speaker)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
D5order code (Buick option code) |
AM-FM Radio5 | — | Not yet sourced |
D6order code (Buick option code) |
Rear Speaker (Included in D4)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
D0order code (Buick option code) |
Stereo Tape Player (Radio & Rear Speaker Required)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
E5order code (Buick option code) |
Evaporative Emission System (Required in Calif.)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
F1order code (Buick option code) |
Whitewall Tires H78-15 (Included in A9)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
F8order code (Buick option code) |
Wide Oval Red Line Tires H70-15 (Avail. with A9 Only)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
F9order code (Buick option code) |
Wide Oval Whitewall H70-15 (Avail. with A9 Only)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
G1order code (Buick option code) |
Performance Axle with Positive Traction (Included in A9)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
G4order code (Buick option code) |
Positive Traction Differential (Included with A9)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
H1order code (Buick option code) |
Trailer Towing Option (Specific Front & Rear Shock Absorbers, Front & Rear springs and High Rate Track Bar Assembly)(N.A. With A9, H2 or H3)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
H2order code (Buick option code) |
Ride and Handling Option (Specific Front & Rear Shock Absorbers, Front & Rear Springs and H.D. Track Bar Assembly) (Included in A9) (N.A. with H1 or H3)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
H3order code (Buick option code) |
Automatic Level Control (Specific Rear Springs and Shock Absorbers) (N.A with A9, H1 or H2)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
I5order code (Buick option code) |
Automatic Climate Control Air Conditioning System5 | — | Not yet sourced |
I6order code (Buick option code) |
Air Conditioner Manual Controls)5,3 | — | Not yet sourced |
I7order code (Buick option code) |
Heavy Duty Cooling Extra H.D. Radiator Thermo Control Fan Drive & 55 Amp. Delcotron) (Fan Drive & Delcotron included in I5 or I6)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
J3order code (Buick option code) |
Custom Front & Rear Seat Belts & Custom Front Shoulder Belts (Standard Trims Only)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
J5order code (Buick option code) |
Custom Front & Rear Seat Belts & Custom Front & Rear Shoulder Belts (Standard Trims Only)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
J5order code (Buick option code) |
Custom Rear Shoulder Belts (Custom Trims Only)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
K2order code (Buick option code) |
Cornering Lights5 | — | Not yet sourced |
K3order code (Buick option code) |
Speed Alert & Trip Odometer5 | — | Not yet sourced |
L1order code (Buick option code) |
Soft-Ray Tinted Glass5 | — | Not yet sourced |
L2order code (Buick option code) |
Soft-Ray Tinted Windshield5 | — | Not yet sourced |
M7order code (Buick option code) |
Rear Window Defroster5 | — | Not yet sourced |
M9order code (Buick option code) |
Heated Glass Rear Window Defroster5 | — | Not yet sourced |
N2order code (Buick option code) |
Four Note Horn5 | — | Not yet sourced |
N3order code (Buick option code) |
Heavy duty air cleaner5 | — | Not yet sourced |
O4order code (Buick option code) |
Door Guards5 | — | Not yet sourced |
O5order code (Buick option code) |
Remote Control Outside Rear View Mirror5 | — | Not yet sourced |
P1order code (Buick option code) |
Carpet Savers and Handy Mats5 | — | Not yet sourced |
P2order code (Buick option code) |
Carpet Savers5 | — | Not yet sourced |
Q4order code (Buick option code) |
Power Seat Six Way (Bench Only)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
Q5order code (Buick option code) |
Power seat, four-way tilt adjuster (driver's side only on bucket seats)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
R1order code (Buick option code) |
Power windows5 | — | Not yet sourced |
S6order code (Buick option code) |
Cruise Master5 | — | Not yet sourced |
T1order code (Buick option code) |
Electric Trunk Release5 | — | Not yet sourced |
T2order code (Buick option code) |
Electric Door Locks5 | — | Not yet sourced |
T3order code (Buick option code) |
Electric Door and Seat Locks5 | — | Not yet sourced |
U7order code (Buick option code) |
Mirror Map Light5 | — | Not yet sourced |
V2order code (Buick option code) |
Chrome Plated wheels5 | — | Not yet sourced |
V4order code (Buick option code) |
Super Deluxe Wheel Covers5 | — | Not yet sourced |
W3order code (Buick option code) |
Custom Body Side Moldings (Upper Front Fender and Upper Body Side)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
X3order code (Buick option code) |
Rim Blower Steering Wheel5 | — | Not yet sourced |
Y1order code (Buick option code) |
High Profile Wheel Opening Cover (No Cost)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl roof (five colours)3 | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
B-26 |
Stratomist Blue (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
C-10 |
Glacier White7 | Not yet sourced |
F-20 |
Azure Blue (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
G-55 |
Cornet Gold7 | Not yet sourced |
H-45 |
Sea Mist Green7 | Not yet sourced |
J-68 |
Burnished Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
L-16 |
Teal Mist Gray (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
M-48 |
Sherwood Green7 | Not yet sourced |
P-14 |
Silver Mist7 | Not yet sourced |
Q |
Saturn Yellow7 | Not yet sourced |
S-63 |
Desert Gold7 | Not yet sourced |
T-46 |
Emerald Mist (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
V-76 |
Sunset Sage (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
W-61 |
Sandpiper Beige (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
X-74 |
Titian Red (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
Z-58 |
Harvest Gold7 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
650 |
Vinyl bench (standard): Green7 | Not yet sourced |
654 |
Vinyl bench (standard): Sandalwood7 | Not yet sourced |
659 |
Vinyl bench (standard): Burnished Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
666 |
Vinyl buckets (standard): Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
668 |
Vinyl buckets (standard): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
680 |
Vinyl notchback bench (optional): Green7 | Not yet sourced |
681 |
Vinyl notchback bench (optional): Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
684 |
Vinyl notchback bench (optional): Sandalwood7 | Not yet sourced |
686 |
Vinyl notchback bench (optional): Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
688 |
Vinyl notchback bench (optional): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
674 |
Cloth and vinyl notchback bench (optional): Sandalwood7 | Not yet sourced |
678 |
Cloth and vinyl notchback bench (optional): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
679 |
Cloth and vinyl notchback bench (optional): Burnished Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
695 |
Vinyl buckets (optional): Pearl White7 | Not yet sourced |
698 |
Vinyl buckets (optional): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
699 |
Vinyl buckets (optional): Burnished Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight8 | 4,351 lb | Riviera |
| Wheelbase8 | 119 in | Riviera |
| Track, front / rear8 | 63.4 / 63.0 in | Riviera |
| Overall length8 | 215.2 in | Riviera |
| Width8 | 79.3 in | Riviera |
| Height8 | 53.6 in | Riviera |
| Tire size (standard, option)8 | H78x15 | Riviera |
| Rear axle ratio (standard / GS)3 | 2.78 / 3.42 :1 | Riviera |
Identification
- Body number
- 49487 per ROA table.2
- VIN
- Pattern 4 94 87 0 plant 000000: 4 = Buick; 94 = Riviera; 87 = 2-door hardtop; 0 = 1970; plant letter (H Flint, C South Gate, D Doraville, G Framingham, K Leeds, X Fairfax, Y Wilmington, Z Fremont); six-digit production number.4
- Engine codes
- ROA lists the 1970 Riviera 455 (370 hp) as code SR/SF, used in all Rivieras including the GS; its GS table gives SF. TeamBuick's 1970 table gives SF = 455, 370 hp, 10.5:1 and SR = 455, 350 hp, 10.0:1.5,6,4
- GS identification
- Red GS emblem on the front fenders ahead of the wheels above the side lights; no Riviera script on the 1970 fenders; chromed air-cleaner lid; no GS dash emblem.6
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1970 Buick VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1970
- AMC AMX The last two-seat AMX: a restyled nose, a 360 base V8 and a 325-hp 390. At 4,116 cars it was the rarest of the three two-seat years.
- AMC Javelin Penske and Donohue brought the Javelin to Trans-Am, and the showroom answered with 2,501 Mark Donohue Javelins and 100 red-white-blue Trans Am Javelins, while total production fell to 28,210.
- AMC Rebel and Rebel Machine AMC's intermediate supercar: a 340-hp 390, four-speed and Hurst shifter in the Rebel hardtop, first in white with red-white-blue stripes. Totals reported for the one-year run range from about 1,200 to 2,326.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX Buick's GS went to a 455 rated at 510 lb-ft, the Stage 1 option added 10 advertised hp, and a mid-year GSX package was built 678 times in two colors.
- Buick Wildcat The final Wildcat, Custom trim only, with the 370-hp 455; 23,645 built.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The year the Chevelle Super Sport split into RPO Z25 SS 396 and RPO Z15 SS 454, with the LS6 454 rated at 450 gross horsepower.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Last year the source engine table lists the big-block (as 402) in the Nova. Enthusiast-compiled production: 307,280 cars; Super Sport 19,558.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS The Malibu/Custom El Camino could carry either RPO Z25 SS 396 or RPO Z15 SS 454, including the 450 hp LS6; the El Camino share is not separately published.
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS The first Monte Carlo, with the SS 454 as RPO Z20: 3,823 of 145,976 Monte Carlos per Chevrolet-report-derived tables.
- Dodge Challenger Dodge's first pony car arrived as a 1970 model with nine advertised engines, base, SE, R/T, and R/T SE hardtops, two convertibles, and a one-year Trans-Am homologation special, the T/A.
- Dodge Charger The last year of the second-generation body: a new full-width grille, three series (Charger, 500, R/T), the 440 Six Pack added to the R/T, and production roughly half of 1969's.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The final Coronet-based R/T and Super Bee: the R/T fell to 2,615 cars, while the Super Bee added a 3-speed manual and kept its Six Pack and Hemi options.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon With the GTS gone, the Swinger 340 was the only performance Dart; it kept front discs, Rallye suspension and a twin-scoop hood and sold about 13,800 beside the new Challenger.
- Ford Fairlane The last Fairlane year: the name survived only on the Fairlane 500 beneath the new Torino, with a mid-year Falcon sharing the body at the bottom of the range.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber appearance and tire package arrived in mid-1970 on the new two-door Maverick; no Grabber count for 1970 was found.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Torino-based Ranchero GT could take the 429 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet; reference counts give 3,905 GTs, while Barn Finds rounds the GT figure to about 3,600 of 21,640 Rancheros.
- Ford Thunderbird The 429 at 360 hp was the standard and only engine listed in the 1970 catalog.
- Ford Torino A new, longer body on a 117-inch wheelbase; the Torino Cobra became its own model with the 429, offered in 360, 370 (Cobra Jet) and 375 (Super Cobra Jet) horsepower forms.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone A new, longer Montego-based Cyclone in three versions: the 429 Cyclone, the small-block Cyclone GT that outsold both others, and the Ram Air 429 Cobra Jet Cyclone Spoiler.
- Mercury Cougar The last first-generation Cougar moved to the 351 Cleveland, kept the Boss 302 as an Eliminator-only engine, and built 2,268 Eliminators.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The second and last year of the 1969-70 Marauder: production fell to about a third of 1969's, with the X-100 near half of it.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 got a standard 455 rated at 365 hp, the W-30 went to 370 hp, and the small-block W-31 moved to the Cutlass and F-85 coupes.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The E-body redesign split the line into Barracuda, Gran Coupe, and 'Cuda hardtops and convertibles, put every Chrysler performance engine through the 426 Hemi on the order form, and added the one-year AAR 'Cuda for Trans-Am homologation.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 Plymouth's new Valiant-based fastback coupe arrived with a 275 hp 340 performance model priced at $2,547; the Standard Catalog lineage counts 24,817 Duster 340s among 217,192 Dusters.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite Now hardtop-only, the GTX fell to 7,748 cars while its 440 Six Barrel option cost just $119.
- Plymouth Road Runner Production halved from 1969, the 440 Six Barrel became a regular option, and the winged Superbird was built as a Road Runner hardtop to put Plymouth back on NASCAR superspeedways.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A late-arriving, coupe-only second generation: 48,739 Firebirds, 3,196 of them Trans Ams, and 88 Ram Air IVs.
- Pontiac GTO A new Endura nose, a 455 added beside the three 400s, and GTO production falling to 40,149.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The SJ took a 370 hp 455, Hurst built the SSJ, and production fell to 65,750.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The T-37 and GT-37 bring budget performance to the Tempest.