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Thread: 1971 Buick Riviera Cowl Tag and Vin Decode Please!

  1. #1

    1971 Buick Riviera Cowl Tag and Vin Decode Please!

    ST71 49487FL1 103168BDY
    TR 686 50 D
    02D

    49487IHXXXXXX

    Please decode, thanks!

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by willgillespie View Post
    ST71 49487FL1 103168BDY
    TR 686 50 D
    02D

    49487IHXXXXXX

    Please decode, thanks!
    I just picked this car up, all original, one owner, i am stoked!

  3. #3
    Boat-tail Riv, eh? very nice. i can do your VIN by i don't have my decode books for the trim tag handy at the moment.

    49487IHXXXXXX
    4 = Buick
    94 = Riviera
    87 = 2dr Sport Coupe
    I = this is NOT an "I" but is instead a "1" and denotes the year ... 1971
    H = Flint, MI
    XXXXXX = your sequential production #


    ST71 49487FL1 = all of this info is the same as your VIN

    103168BDY = sequential body #

    TR 686 50 D = exterior and interior color and trim, i'll have to get back to you on this

    02D = 4th week of February production
    The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation.
    Vladimir Lenin

    Government schooling is about "the perfect organization of the hive."
    H.H. Goddard, Human Efficiency (1920)

  4. #4
    Thanks man!

    How can i tell if mine has the the GS high output engine or not?

  5. #5
    How can i tell if mine has the the GS high output engine or not?

    er, you need to understand something: GS / Gran Sport are terminologies for trim levels. very rarely did they ever have any specific "sport" or "performance" components. in fact, in 1974 you could get an Apollo "GS" ... with a 6cyl / 2v carb.

    now, there are several years where "GS" was an actual "model" as well as a trim level ... but even that didn't guarantee a hi-po engine.

    the engine package you're thinking of is the 'Stage 1' 455. this was characterized by larger valves, a more agressive cam and a more highly tuned carb and was usually backed up by a heavy duty trans. this was an A-body only option.

    the big cars ( B, C and E-bodies: your Riv is the E-body model ) were never available with the A-body Stage 1 setup.

    but they DID get different cams from the smaller cars and were usually factory rated at a higher hp # than the A body engine options. higher than even the Stage 1, although this was a bald faced lie.

    the only thing "Stage" that you could get in a Riv would have been the oversize Stage 1 valves ... and unfortunately, the only way to know whether or not you've got the oversize valves is to pull the head off and measure them.

    your 1971 should have a "TR" code engine.
    http://www.buicks.net/shop/engine_ident.html
    The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation.
    Vladimir Lenin

    Government schooling is about "the perfect organization of the hive."
    H.H. Goddard, Human Efficiency (1920)

  6. #6
    Thanks so much for the info! Any idea what the production figures were on the "boattail" rivs? thanks again for all the info

    Last edited by willgillespie; 04-22-2007 at 07:24 PM. Reason: add photos

  7. #7
    www.teambuick.com are the forums for the main data page, www.buicks.net ... most general production info is linked there.

    http://buicks.net/years/71.shtml
    The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation.
    Vladimir Lenin

    Government schooling is about "the perfect organization of the hive."
    H.H. Goddard, Human Efficiency (1920)

  8. #8
    TR 686 = Saddle colored vinyl interior with notchback or 60-40 seats
    50 = Bamboo Cream paint
    D = vinyl roof, maybe Blue? i'm using a 72 code for that as my book doesn't code a 'D' for 71.
    The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation.
    Vladimir Lenin

    Government schooling is about "the perfect organization of the hive."
    H.H. Goddard, Human Efficiency (1920)

  9. #9

    Smile

    Hi;

    If you have a Riviera GS, there will be a GS emblem on the front fenders after Riviera and for 1971-3 Riviera if it was a GS, it did have the Stage 1 heads which had the larger intake and exhaust valves.but not for 1970. The cam for '71-3 was also a STAGE 1 if an original Riv GS---according to my parts book and personal experiences.

    RivyRob
    Hi All:
    Just another Riviera Nut
    Currently Own:
    1968 Riviera GS (in family 33 yrs)
    1967 Riviera GS


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