1974 · Buick · United States
1974 Buick Riviera: The Last Year of Stage 1
Colonnade pillared roof; 20,129 built, 1,698 with Stage One and 4,119 with the GS handling option.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
The Riviera Owners Association lists 20,129 Rivieras for 1974, this record's own overview states, including 4,119 with the GS handling option and 1,698 with the Stage One option, the standard 455 listed at 230 horsepower SAE net and the Stage One version at 245. This record's own production notes describe the two package rows as subsets of the total rather than a mutually exclusive split. This record's own key facts section adds that 99.5 percent of 1974 Rivieras had air conditioning, 97.7 percent power windows, 89.9 percent power seats, 76.3 percent vinyl roofs and 60.7 percent cruise control, that the GS ride-and-handling package cost $108 and the Stage I option $139, and that 1974 was the last year of the Stage 1.1,2,3
This record's own identification section carries the year's VIN pattern, a Buick digit, a Y series letter for Riviera, body code 87, an engine letter (T for the 455 four-barrel, U for the dual-exhaust 455, V or W for the 455 Stage I), a year digit, a plant letter including N for Norwood, and a production number. Its own engine-code entry, drawn from TeamBuick, lists four Riviera codes for 1974: ZF at 210 horsepower, ZK at 230 with dual exhaust, ZS as the 245-horsepower Stage I, and ZA at 255 horsepower labelled simply "Riviera GS," a rating higher than the Stage I's own 245 that this record's own sources do not reconcile against each other; the Owners Association's own GS table gives ZA for the year as well.4,5
This record's own options section prices the year's two packages: A1, the Stage I option, at $148 for 1,698 cars, bundling the high-performance 455 with a matched Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, a performance axle with Positive Traction, a chrome-plated air cleaner, the Stage I grille badge and a high-energy ignition system; and A9, the GS and handling package, at $186 for 4,119 cars, whose own installs note flags that the Owners Association's production page prints the count as "4,1 19," bundling JR78-15 steel-belted radial whitewalls, specific springs and shocks, a heavy-duty front stabilizer bar, a rear stabilizer bar, a specific insulation package and body-mount system, and GS fender nameplates.6,1,3
This record's own options section itemizes 77 entries in total, most of them priced individually by the Owners Association's own transcription of the 1974 order form. Automatic climate control, code I5 at $533, sits against manual air conditioning's $474 under code I6, and the section's own price notes carry several minor transcription quirks the Owners Association itself printed, including code I3 rendered as "1 3" and K1 as "K I."6
This record's own paint table carries 17 colours from the Owners Association's 1974 chart, its own note adding that two-tone paint was available and that expanded vinyl roof coverings, full or Landau, came in seven colours of their own. Its interiors section carries 29 trims: four standard Manchester cloth-and-vinyl notchback bench colours, four optional vinyl 60/40 notchback colours, six further white-combination vinyl 60/40 notchback choices, two vinyl 40/40 bucket-with-console colours plus six more in white combinations, five vinyl-and-velour-cloth 60/40 notchback colours, and two leather-and-vinyl 60/40 notchback colours.7
This record's own specifications section carries seven 1974 figures from the Owners Association's weights-and-measures table: a 5,035-pound curb weight, a 122.0-inch wheelbase, front and rear track of 63.6 and 64.0 inches, a 226.4-inch overall length, an 80.0-inch width, a 54.0-inch height, and a JR78x15 tire size. This record's own prices section carries a single figure, $5,550, effective from a price revision dated November 1, 1973, and its own conflicts and unpublished-leads sections are both empty for the year.8,6
Fact sheet · 1974 · United States
The numbers
1974 Buick Riviera — Colonnade pillared roof; 20,129 built, 1,698 with Stage One and 4,119 with the GS handling option.
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
- ROA Evolution: 99.5% had air conditioning, 97.7% power windows, 89.9% power seats, 76.3% vinyl roofs and 60.7% cruise control; the GS ride-and-handling package cost $108 and the Stage I $139; 1974 was the last year of the Stage 1.3
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera, all1,2 Riviera · 2-door · not stated by source ROA and Wikipedia agree. | 20,129 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera GS handling option1 Riviera GS handling option · 2-door · 455 · automatic · not stated by source | 4,119 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Riviera Stage One (dual exhaust 455)1 Riviera Stage One · 2-door · 455 Stage One · automatic · not stated by source | 1,698 | built, model-year | Reported |
Package rows are subsets of the total.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Riviera sport coupe (4EZ87)6 | $5,550 | manufacturer's suggested retail price as transcribed by the Riviera Owners Association, 1974 (revised 1 November 1973) |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 455 V-81,2 455 cu in · 4-barrel | 230 hp (SAE net (as listed by ROA)) | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 455 V-8, Stage One1,2 455 cu in · 4-barrel, dual exhaust | 245 hp (SAE net (as listed by ROA)) | Stage One option | 1,6981 Reported |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
A1order code (Buick option code) |
Stage I Performance Package - High Performance 455 cu. in. 4 bbl. V-8 engine; matched "THM-400" transmission; Performance axle w/positive traction; chrome plated air cleaner; Stage I name plate on grill; High energy ignition system.6 | $148 | 1,6981,3 Reported |
A9order code (Buick option code) |
Riviera GS & Handling Package - JR 78-15 steel belted radial ply whitewall tires; specific springs & shocks; H.D. front stabilizer bar; rear stabilizer bar; specific insulation package; specific body mount system; GS name plates on fenders.6 | $186 | 4,1191,3 Reported |
B4order code (Buick option code) |
Full Length Operating Console (40/40 Seats Req.)6 | $65 | Not yet sourced |
C2order code (Buick option code) |
Max Trac6 | $94 | Not yet sourced |
D1order code (Buick option code) |
AM Radio6 | $86 | Not yet sourced |
D2order code (Buick option code) |
AM Radio & Stereo Tape Player With Front and Rear Dual Speakers6 | $216 | Not yet sourced |
D3order code (Buick option code) |
AM-FM Stereo Radio & Stereo Tape Player With Front and Rear Dual Speakers6 | $363 | Not yet sourced |
D4order code (Buick option code) |
AM-FM Stereo Radio With Front and Rear Dual Speakers6 | $233 | Not yet sourced |
D5order code (Buick option code) |
AM-FM Radio6 | $145 | Not yet sourced |
D6order code (Buick option code) |
Rear Seat Speaker (Single)6 | $19 | Not yet sourced |
D7order code (Buick option code) |
Automatic Power Antenna6 | $34 | Not yet sourced |
D8order code (Buick option code) |
Front & Rear Dual Speakers (D1 or D5 Req.)6 | $39 | Not yet sourced |
E3order code (Buick option code) |
High Energy Ignition system (Std. w/A1)6 | $59 | Not yet sourced |
E5order code (Buick option code) |
California Assembly Line Emission Testing (Required in Calif. only)6 | $21 | Not yet sourced |
F1order code (Buick option code) |
Whitewall Tires J78-15 (N.A. w/A9)6 | $41 | Not yet sourced |
F9order code (Buick option code) |
Steel Belted Radial Whitewall Tires (HR78-15) (Std. w/A9)6 | $143 | Not yet sourced |
G2order code (Buick option code) |
Performance Axle (Included in A1)6 | $0 | Not yet sourced |
G4order code (Buick option code) |
Positive Traction Differential (Included with A1) $6 | $51 | Not yet sourced |
H2order code (Buick option code) |
Firm Ride and Handling (H.D. Suspension, Springs & Wheels) (Recommended for trailer towing.) (N.A. with A9)6 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
H3order code (Buick option code) |
Automatic Level Control (N.A. with A9 or H5)6 | $81 | Not yet sourced |
H5order code (Buick option code) |
Superlift shocks (N.A. w/K3)6 | $43 | Not yet sourced |
H6order code (Buick option code) |
Heavy Duty Wheels (Std. w/H2)6 | $11 | Not yet sourced |
I3order code (Buick option code) |
Heavy duty engine and transmission cooling (H.D. radiator, thermal control fan, H.D. Delcotron)6 | $44 | Not yet sourced |
I5order code (Buick option code) |
Automatic Climate Control Air Conditioning System6 | $533 | Not yet sourced |
I6order code (Buick option code) |
Air Conditioner6 | $474 | Not yet sourced |
J3order code (Buick option code) |
Color Coordinated Custom Front & Rear Seat Belts (3 each) & Front Shoulder Belts (2) (Std. on Custom Trims)6 | $0 | Not yet sourced |
K1order code (Buick option code) |
Cornering lights6 | $38 | Not yet sourced |
K2order code (Buick option code) |
Speed Alert & Trip Odometer6 | $18 | Not yet sourced |
K4order code (Buick option code) |
Three speed windshield wiper with low speed delay feature6 | $26 | Not yet sourced |
L1order code (Buick option code) |
Soft-Ray Tinted Glass6 | $60 | Not yet sourced |
L2order code (Buick option code) |
Soft-Ray Tinted Windshield6 | $37 | Not yet sourced |
L3order code (Buick option code) |
80 AMP Delcotron6 | $35 | Not yet sourced |
M1order code (Buick option code) |
Engine Block Heater6 | $5 | Not yet sourced |
M2order code (Buick option code) |
Electric Rear Window Defogger6 | $68 | Not yet sourced |
M3order code (Buick option code) |
Rear Window Defogger (Blower)6 | $36 | Not yet sourced |
M4order code (Buick option code) |
Four Note Horn6 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
N1order code (Buick option code) |
Heavy Duty Air Cleaner6 | $10 | Not yet sourced |
N5order code (Buick option code) |
Bumper Guards (Rear only) (Req. in Maryland & California)6 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
O1order code (Buick option code) |
Door Guards6 | $7 | Not yet sourced |
O4order code (Buick option code) |
Remote Control Outside Rear View Mirror Right Side6 | $27 | Not yet sourced |
O5order code (Buick option code) |
Outside Rear View Sport Mirrors (Left & Right Remote)6 | $34 | Not yet sourced |
P1order code (Buick option code) |
Carpet Savers and Handy Mats6 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
P2order code (Buick option code) |
Front Carpet Savers6 | $8 | Not yet sourced |
P3order code (Buick option code) |
Litter Pocket (Std. w/Extra Cost Trim)6 | $5 | Not yet sourced |
Q1order code (Buick option code) |
Power Seat 6-Way, Bench or Driver Side Only on 60/40 & 40/40 Seats6 | $113 | Not yet sourced |
Q2order code (Buick option code) |
Power Seat 6-Way, Driver & Passenger or 60/40 Seats & 40/40 Seats6 | $226 | Not yet sourced |
Q3order code (Buick option code) |
Door Courtesy & Warning Light6 | $21 | Not yet sourced |
Q4order code (Buick option code) |
Dome Reading Light6 | $14 | Not yet sourced |
R1order code (Buick option code) |
Power Windows (Req. w/Extra Cost Trims or Electric Sun Roofs)6 | $95 | Not yet sourced |
R3order code (Buick option code) |
Front & Rear Light Monitors6 | $22 | Not yet sourced |
S2order code (Buick option code) |
Maintenance Free Energizer6 | $27 | Not yet sourced |
S3order code (Buick option code) |
Cruise Master6 | $74 | Not yet sourced |
S6order code (Buick option code) |
Tilt & Telescoping Steering Column6 | $40 | Not yet sourced |
T1order code (Buick option code) |
Electric Trunk Release6 | $15 | Not yet sourced |
T2order code (Buick option code) |
Electric Door Locks6 | $51 | Not yet sourced |
T3order code (Buick option code) |
Electric Door and Seat Locks6 | $76 | Not yet sourced |
U2order code (Buick option code) |
Low Fuel Indicator6 | $10 | Not yet sourced |
U3order code (Buick option code) |
Sunshade Map Light6 | $6 | Not yet sourced |
U7order code (Buick option code) |
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror6 | $37 | Not yet sourced |
V2order code (Buick option code) |
Chrome Plated Wheels6 | $77 | Not yet sourced |
V4order code (Buick option code) |
Super Deluxe Wheel Covers6 | $38 | Not yet sourced |
V6order code (Buick option code) |
Deluxe Wire Wheel Covers6 | $66 | Not yet sourced |
W4order code (Buick option code) |
Protective Body Side Molding (Front Fender & Body Side)6 | $49 | Not yet sourced |
W7order code (Buick option code) |
Body Side Stripe6 | $31 | Not yet sourced |
Y7order code (Buick option code) |
Trunk Trim Carpeting6 | $44 | Not yet sourced |
Z1order code (Buick option code) |
Sun Roof-Manual Operation6 | $572 | Not yet sourced |
Z2order code (Buick option code) |
Sun Roof-Electric Operation (R1 Req.)6 | $622 | Not yet sourced |
|
1 1 Trailer Hitch (Class 1)6 | $24 | Not yet sourced |
|
1 2 Trailer Tow Flasher & Harness (5 wire)6 | $13 | Not yet sourced |
|
1 3 Trailer Tow Flasher & Harness (7 wire)6 | $24 | Not yet sourced |
|
1 4 Rear Stabilizer Bar6 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
|
31 Special Car Order Paint6 | $119 | Not yet sourced |
|
* Custom Trim 60/40 Notchback Seat in vinyl or cloth6 | $274 | Not yet sourced |
|
* Custom Trim 60/40 Notchback Seat in Leather6 | $568 | Not yet sourced |
|
* Custom Trim 40/40 Front Seat6 | $238 | Not yet sourced |
|
* Vinyl Top, Full6 | $125 | Not yet sourced |
|
* Landau (Rear Portion) Padded6 | $385 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Regal Black7 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Arctic White7 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Medium Blue Metallic7 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Mediterranean Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Midnight Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
I |
Ranch Green7 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Leaf Green Metallic7 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Forest Green Metallic7 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Sand Beige7 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Gold Mist (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Nutmeg Metallic7 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Silver Cloud7 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Cinnamon Metallic7 | Not yet sourced |
U |
Dark Brown Metallic7 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Burgundy Metallic7 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Plum Metallic (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Ruby Red (Riviera exclusive)7 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
150 |
Manchester cloth and vinyl notchback bench (standard): Black/Green7 | Not yet sourced |
151 |
Manchester cloth and vinyl notchback bench (standard): Black/Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
154 |
Manchester cloth and vinyl notchback bench (standard): Black/Sandalwood7 | Not yet sourced |
158 |
Manchester cloth and vinyl notchback bench (standard): Black/White7 | Not yet sourced |
460 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): Green7 | Not yet sourced |
466 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
468 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
469 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): Burgundy7 | Not yet sourced |
660 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): White/Green7 | Not yet sourced |
661 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): White/Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
664 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): White/Sandalwood7 | Not yet sourced |
666 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): White/Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
668 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): White/Black7 | Not yet sourced |
669 |
Vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): White/Burgundy7 | Not yet sourced |
476 |
Vinyl 40/40 buckets with console (optional): Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
479 |
Vinyl 40/40 buckets with console (optional): Burgundy7 | Not yet sourced |
670 |
Vinyl 40/40 buckets with console (optional): White/Green7 | Not yet sourced |
671 |
Vinyl 40/40 buckets with console (optional): White/Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
674 |
Vinyl 40/40 buckets with console (optional): White/Sandalwood7 | Not yet sourced |
676 |
Vinyl 40/40 buckets with console (optional): White/Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
678 |
Vinyl 40/40 buckets with console (optional): White/Black7 | Not yet sourced |
679 |
Vinyl 40/40 buckets with console (optional): White/Burgundy7 | Not yet sourced |
360 |
Vinyl and velour cloth 60/40 notchback (optional): Green7 | Not yet sourced |
361 |
Vinyl and velour cloth 60/40 notchback (optional): Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
364 |
Vinyl and velour cloth 60/40 notchback (optional): Sandalwood7 | Not yet sourced |
368 |
Vinyl and velour cloth 60/40 notchback (optional): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
369 |
Vinyl and velour cloth 60/40 notchback (optional): Burgundy7 | Not yet sourced |
966 |
Leather and vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): Saddle7 | Not yet sourced |
968 |
Leather and vinyl 60/40 notchback (optional): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight8 | 5,035 lb | Riviera |
| Wheelbase8 | 122 in | Riviera |
| Track, front / rear8 | 63.6 / 64.0 in | Riviera |
| Overall length8 | 226.4 in | Riviera |
| Width8 | 80 in | Riviera |
| Height8 | 54 in | Riviera |
| Tire size (standard, option)8 | JR78x15 | Riviera |
Identification
- VIN
- E.g. 4N39T4X100000 as printed: 4 = Buick; series letter (Y = Riviera); body (87); engine letter (T 455 4-bbl, U 455 4-bbl dual exhaust, V/W 455 Stage I); year (4); plant (C, G, H, L, N Norwood, X, Y, Z); production number.4
- Engine codes
- TeamBuick lists Riviera engines ZF (455, 210 hp), ZK (455, 230 hp dual exhaust) and ZS (455 Stage I, 245 hp), with ZA (255 hp) labelled "Riviera GS"; ROA's GS table gives ZA for 1974.4,5
Identification
Read a 1974 Buick VIN
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Same model year
Also in 1974
- AMC AMX The final Javelin AMX: 4,980 built, with the Go Package's cowl induction dropped and a production run that stretched into November 1974.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The Gremlin X gained a 'hockey stick' stripe. The 304 V8 remained available, but no X or V8 counts for the year were found.
- AMC Javelin The Javelin's final year: 22,556 non-AMX cars on a production run extended into November 1974.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last year a 455 Stage 1 could be had in a Buick intermediate Gran Sport; 3,355 were built, 478 of them Stage 1.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The SS was gone; the new Laguna Type S-3 coupe carried the Chevelle's performance image, with a 235 net hp 454 still on the engine list.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Spirit of America Nova (RPO Z51) offered on the Custom hatchback per the source. Enthusiast-compiled production: 390,537 cars; Super Sport 21,419.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS Colonnade-era El Camino; Chevrolet's 1974 data pages define the RPO Z15 SS option for the El Camino Classic. Team Chevelle's production totals give 51,223 El Caminos built, 4,543 of them with SS equipment.
- Dodge Challenger The last original-era Challenger shared a catalog with the Dart; the 360 replaced the 340 as the optional engine and production ended in April 1974.
- Dodge Charger The last B-body Charger before the 1975 personal-luxury redesign, with 5-mph bumpers, carried-over powertrains and an SE that accounted for 30,957 V-8 cars.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The 360 replaced the 340 in the Dart Sport, and Flory's production table counts 3,951 Dart Sport 360s at a $3,244 base price.
- Ford Maverick Grabber Grabber production fell to 23,502 by Classic Industries count.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 11,328 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird Sixth-generation personal-luxury Thunderbird; the record holds the production total and the luxury-group option prices only.
- Ford Torino The 1974 Torino grew again and added the Gran Torino Elite; the Gran Torino Sport survived only as a formal-roof hardtop, with 23,142 built.
- Mercury Cougar Outside the muscle focus: 91,670 Cougars for 1974 per Wikipedia's table.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500 again and offered a 350 for the first time: 1,800 coupes, 380 of them with the 455 W-30.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The final year: Barracuda and 'Cuda hardtops with a standard 318 and a new optional 360, and 11,734 built before the line ended.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The 245 net hp 360 replaced the 340 in the Duster's best sales year: 3,969 Duster 360s among 281,378 Dusters, with Twister, Gold Duster and Space Duster packages priced separately.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite In 1974 a GTX nameplate came with the Road Runner's optional 440 four-barrel, TorqueFlite required; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 386 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner The last Satellite-based Road Runner; production roughly halved from 1973.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A new nose and the last Super Duty: 10,255 Trans Ams, 943 with the SD-455.
- Pontiac GTO The last original GTO: a package on the compact Ventura with a 200 hp 350; 7,058 built.
- Pontiac Grand Am A revised nose and 17,083 built, only 342 with a four-speed.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The 455 remains the SJ engine as Grand Prix volume falls to under 100,000.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans With the GTO moved to the Ventura, the LeMans GT package became the intermediate performance choice, backed by 350, 400 and 455 V8 options.