Riviera63

Ron, I sent you a PM as well. Those were included in the batch of parts I sent you. Bill

Hi Tom, I have been in contact with the head of sales for Turbinator Industries and he has assured me that you will be accompanying him to the show in the role of relief driver and general laborer. I mentioned the possibility of no rooms being left to him. He said he had that covered as he has reserved a site at a nearby RV campground. He also mentioned something about pup tents and trying to keep costs down. It will be great to meet you as well. Seeing you and Bob for the first time and Gene again for the first time since 2015 may be more than I can handle though. Bill

I just wanted to give a heads up to anyone that is planning on going to Lexington this summer. I made my reservations yesterday and according to the website I got the last double room available in the block reserved for the ROA. How true this is I do not know. Computer inventory and actual inventory don't always match. If you are still planning on going and have not made reservations, I would not chance it. Get on the phone and do it right away. Looking forward to seeing everybody there. Bill

PM sent

Thank you Steve.

I have a friend that has a question about the weatherstrip channel that goes from the bottom of the A-pillar up along the top of the window openings and down the backside of the rear quarter window. I know that there is a channel that screws in along the A-pillar to hold the weatherstrip in place at the A-pillar. The question is about the channel that goes from the top of the A-pillar and down to the backside of the rear quarter window. Is the channel that holds the weatherstrip in this area part of the drip rail or are the drip rail and the weatherstrip channel 2 separate pieces? Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Bill

I figured out it was from a batch of pictures taken for an article on my car that was published in the February 11, 2016 issue of Old Cars Weekly. The editor promised he would let me know when it was going to be published and that he would get me some copies. That promise was never fulfilled. The same thing happened to a friend of mine whose car was also featured in an issue of that publication. I never knew it was even printed until Ray Knott took me to task (kiddingly) for not letting him know that my car had been featured in print. He had been sent the article by an ROA member. He sent me photos of the article. If anyone has a copy of that issue that they would part with I would appreciate it. Bill

On its way to New Zealand! Enjoy Matt.

Many of you have watched the YouTube video on the 10 best interiors where the 1963-1965 Riviera was ranked number 1. I also ran across another YouTube video done by the same person that produced that one which talks about some of the interesting facts of the 1963-1965 Riviera entitled: 1963-65 Buick Riviera: Strange Facts, Features, Quirks & Idiosyncrasies of Buick's 4-Place Coupe! I am sure that many of the things discussed are old news for those of us that are Riviera owners. Even so, it is nice to see our cars getting some recognition and discussion. This became especially interesting for me as at the 14:17 mark of the video I had a surprise. For the next 45seconds or so while the narrator discussed the Dynaflow transmission the picture that was on the screen was of the engine compartment of my car! It would be interesting to find out where he got that picture. Bill

EmTee is right. I have salvaged several pieces of Riviera stainless steels trim from the scrap heap. I have used sandpaper with grit as low as 150 and then as EmTee said worked my way up with ever finer grits and then polished on the buffing wheel. In one instance I even used a file to smooth an area before sanding. The stainless steel used is very forgiving. It will take time but, can be done. Bill

PM sent

I just picked up my front seats from the upholstery shop. He did mention that even though the seat covers are presewn/complete they are challenge to install and get to fit correctly because of the stiffness of the vinyl. Bill

I recently had the front seats of my 1963 reupholstered with pieces from Clark's Corvair. I had the upholstery shop save the old seat upholstery and had hopes that someone could use it and not have to send it to the landfill. The upholstery is structurally sound with no rips or tears. Any holes you see in the upholstery are there for a reason such as seat bumpers, power seat switch, etc. You will need to buy new buttons as they forgot to save those. Clark's has them. The reason I had it replaced is there were some stains and spots where the white coloration was wearing away. It could still be used as is or would be a great candidate for someone to dye them a different color as any discoloration or wear would be covered up. The vinyl dyes they produce now are top notch. New owner to just pay the shipping costs. PM me if interested. I would ask that you respond if you have an actual need for them and will use them as opposed to just getting them because they are free. Thanks. Bill

From what I understand the 63 & 64 2-speed wiper motors are the same except for the motor cover on the 63 is metal and the 64 is plastic.

UPDATED I have purchased two 1963 Rivieras and an assortment of miscellaneous parts. I will list some things here but, if there is something specific you are looking for PM me and I will see if I have what you are looking for. Thanks. 1.) 10 very nice right hand thread lug nuts 59.) 1965 lower front bumper support bar 68.) Console heater air hose spring clamps 95.) 1965 front bumper filler panel/lower tie panel 112.) 1965 Headlight Switch 119.) Upper cowl panel 134.) Blower motor to firewall ground wire 138.) 1965 speedometer cable with housing and connectors 141.) Master cylinder with screw on cap 146.) 1965 Brake booster 148.) Throttle operating lever with throttle return spring 155.) Passenger's door long stainless beltline trim molding 156.) Heater box with gasket 161.) Power Steering gear box 167.) 1963 left side dash access panel 174.) 1963-1965 deluxe interior door armrest pads-have 2-will fit either side 178.) Horn bracket with attaching hardware-for horn(s) behind grill 183.) 1963 fuse box bracket 186.) Steering column support brackets 188.) 1965 trunk wiring harness 212.) 1963 heater/AC switch dash cover plate 216.)SOLD-Driver's side lower dash trim 218.) Front seat inner side chrome trim pieces 223.) Passenger side upper dash trim 224.) Passenger side lower dash trim 228.) Trunk lid hinge bolts 230.) Dash clock mounting bracket 231.) Firewall vacuum diaphragm mounting bracket and attaching hardware 234.) Deluxe interior passenger's side armrest end caps with attaching screws 236.) Driver's side upper dash trim 256.) Passenger outside A-pillar stainless trim molding 257.) SOLD-Driver's outside A-pillar stainless trim molding 284.) Delco Remy alternator 1100668 date code 4 A 16 285.) Delco Remy alternator 1100700 date code 8 M 18 286.) 1964 tail light lens center emblem-have 2 290.) Door power window wiring conduit 291.) Pair 1963 sun visor boards 293.) SOLD-Left outside lower back window trim molding 294.) SOLD-Right outside lower back window trim molding 295.) Left outside back window side & top trim molding 297.) SOLD-Parking brake assembly with switch 303.) Passenger side front wheel opening molding 312.) 1963 Neutral safety switch 314.) Driver's side spark plug wire loom bracket 325.) 63-64 taillight housings passenger and driver's side 329.) SOLD-1963 fuel gauge 330.) 1963-1964 tan brake pedal pad 331.) 1963 right vent control cable non-AC 332.) 1963 left vent control cable non-AC 333.) 1963 rear heat control cable 334.) 1963 defroster control cable 340.) 4-blade fan with spacer and bolts 341.) Trunk lock catch assembly with attaching hardware 343.) SOLD-1963 Metal brake booster line with check valve 348.) Upper radiator hold down brackets non-AC car 349.) Deluxe interior armrest end caps-for cars with manual windows 353.) Driver's door vent window beltline molding 354.) Passenger door vent window beltline molding 355.) 1963 heater assembly lens non-AC car 357.) SOLD-Above glovebox courtesy light assembly 360.) Pair exterior door handles 363.) 1963 glovebox door script 365.) 1963-1964 gauge lens with bezel 367.) 1963-1964 air cleaner 369.) Front console ashtray 370.) Passenger side console kick panel extension 371.) Pair dashboard/dash pad end caps 372.) Passenger seat lanyard 375.) Front manual seat adjuster spring 378.) 1963-1964 speedometer lens and bezel 382.) SOLD-Lower front fender Riviera script emblem 383.) 1963 tail light center medallion 384.) 1963 tail light lens 385.) License plate light lens 388.) Rear quarter driver's LH power window motor regulator 390.) Hood latch 393.) 1963 temperature control cable 394.) 1963 AC cool control cable 395.) 1963 with AC heat control cable 397.) Manual seat track adjuster guard shield 399.) Wiper motor attaching screws and control arm attaching clip 400.) Rear speaker plug 401.) Trip odometer reset knob 403.) Dash pad mounting hardware 404.) 1963-1964 glovebox dash face aluminum non-AC 405.) Rear console heat vent attaching clips and screws 408.) Rear quarter window passenger's RH beltline molding 409.) Pair vent window cranks 410.) 1963-1964 manual window crank 411.) Vent window assembly frame leading edge chrome #5715083 412.) SOLD-Headlight stainless steel retainer rings 413.) Trunk light wiring harness 414.) 1963 console shifter assembly 415.) 1965 console shifter assembly 416.) Console shifter tunnel & boot 418.) AC condenser mounting brackets & hardware 421.) Lower door hinge spring 422.) Passenger side spark plug wire loom bracket 423.) 1963 neutral safety switch wiring harness with connectors 424.) Coat hook 425.) Door jamb switch bumpers 426.) Dash access panel clips 427.) 1963 trunk lid letter "C" with attaching clips 428.) 1963 remote mirror door toggle switch 429.) SOLD-Console shifter dust shield 430.) SOLD-1963-1964 tail light housing brackets, nuts & bolts 431.) Interior door opening mechanism, driver's rear (deluxe interior) or passenger front (deluxe & standard interior) 432.) Console courtesy light or sail panel light bezel 433.) Driver's LH rear quarter window beltline molding 434.) Passenger side console carpet trim molding 435.) Driver's side console carpet trim molding 436.) SOLD-A-pillar door opening weatherstrip molding & attaching hardware 437.) 7 headlights, 4-high/low beam, 3 high beam (2 are T3) 438.) Miscellaneous lot of 34 bulbs & 43 fuses 439.) Hood hinge bolts 440.) Assorted lot of the different fender bolts 441.) New Steele Rubber antenna lead firewall grommet 442.) 1963 glovebox light & switch 443.) Full set hood to cowl seal clips 444.) 1963 Heater/AC inner fender control box wiring 445.) 1963-1964 ignition switch bezel and lock nut 446.) SOLD-Ignition switch light bracket 447.) SOLD-Stainless headlight retainer rings 448.) License plate light assembly 449.) SOLD-1963-1964 back up light lens 450.) Rear quarter window glass-tinted & clear

I finally gave up the fight with the brown whitewalls. I bit the bullet and ordered Diamondbacks last year. They make the tires to your specifications and vulcanize the whitewall to the tire with a barrier between the whitewall and the tire to prevent the leeching of the brown into the whitewall. I am very happy with the ride, the look and the whitewalls that stay white. Bill

Hi John, I am guessing that the free shipping probably only applies to the lower 48. I did not see it mentioned in the e-mail. You might want to call them and see what they could do. Bill

I just got a notice from Diamondback Classics that they are offering free shipping on a set of 4 of their Auburn Premium tires in April. The code at checkout is: FREEAPRIL Bill

Hi Winston, I have done this a couple of times on my 1963. Right or wrong, this is what I did. Others may have a different take. That piece is held on with plastic clips pictured below. There are 3 ways to remove that I see. 1). Push the clips out from the backside as Chuck suggested. That would involve taking out the back seat, interior rear quarter panels, etc. 2). From the door side of the molding gently pull toward the front of the car and the molding should slide off of the clips. This is what I have done. 3). These moldings slip over small ridges on the top and bottom of the clips. Take something that will not hurt the paint such as plastic pry tools and gently slip the top or bottom off of the clip. Then it should pull off easily. To reinstall I placed the molding in position or close to it and hooked it over the top (or Bottom) of the clip and then with gentle pressure push down (or up) on the molding to get it to slip over the opposite edge. Once it is over the clips you can slide it back and forth to get it exactly where it should be. I don't remember but, I may have loosened the rear wheel opening molding so that the molding would pull off and reposition easier on that end. You could also slide it back on the way it was pulled off. I did not do it this way as I was worried that the front edge might catch and scratch the paint. I hope this helps. Bill

I was not suggesting that these were not previously available. I was merely trying to help out my friend, a fellow forum member and other forum members. I am sure that there are many people out there that did not know a vinyl version was available. Now they know. Bill

Hi John, Yes, I have a 1963 also. I sprayed my paper label with several coats of clear lacquer and it has held up pretty well. I remove my Kleer-View bottle every fall when I put the car away for the winter. I have to be very careful when removing it from the bracket and putting it back in. It has held up pretty well. The Optikleen label is shorter than the Kleer-View label so you do not have have that problem. Bob may have caps as well. If not they are available from many different sources. I know James Kehr has them. Bill

Today I received a sample of the vinyl Optikleen and Kleer-View bottle labels from Turbinator Industries, Inc. The labels have an adhesive back and are made of a heavy vinyl. In my mind these are clearly superior to the awful paper labels that we have had to put up with for years. I will be field testing one of the labels on my car this summer to see how they hold up to heat and grime of the engine compartment. As of now there are 2 versions available. I am lobbying the head of the Research and Development Department for Turbinator Industries to also produce the "Buick" version of the Kleer-View label. The head of the R & D department can be a little cranky but, hopefully, he will listen to reason and will soon come through with this version. If you are interested in one of these labels contact the Sales Department of Turbinator Industries. They are very reasonably priced. Bill

I am writing this to bring attention to the fine work that the "Turbinator" does in reclaiming wayward turbine wheel covers from the scrap heap. Last spring I purchased a set of 4 turbine wheel covers for my 1963. One of the cover's condition was severely misrepresented by the seller and it was not able to be used on my car. I had a spare cover that I was able to get into the condition where I could use it in place of this bad cover. Rather than banish this cover to a shelf never to be seen again I decided to send it to my good friend Bob "Turbinator" Burnopp to see if he could work his magic to save this cover. You can see in the first 3 pictures an example of the poor condition it was in. It was severely pitted and stained. Truthfully, I did not hold out much hope of it being brought back to a condition where it could be used on my car. I was wrong. I received the cover back from Bob and was amazed at the transformation. I had to do some finishing sanding and polishing but, the heavy lifting and hard work was done by Bob. This cover will be going on my car in the spring when it comes out of hibernation. You can see from the rest of the pictures how nice it looks now. If you need turbines or have turbines that need reconditioning you can rest assured that Bob will do right by you. Thank you Bob! Bill

Ed, I never asked. I figured it was either original OEM. Which would make it in short supply as it is not being made anymore. Or they were having it reproduced as the original was. Being that there is such a small market for this it would be very expensive to have it reproduced. Bill

Ed, You are welcome. I am very happy with my belts. I can tell you that for me the correct dated tags were $25 each extra. 8 tags for a complete set of 4 belts. I had them put them only on the front belts as they would not be seen on the rear belts. OEM webbing was an extra $100 per seat belt set for an added $400. Prices might be different a year later. I have attached a picture of the webbing. The top web is the OEM style. The bottom web is the style they would use as part of the refurbishment with no extra charge. Not a lot of difference and there are probably not very many people out there that would not know the difference. Bill