THE PASSING OF A LEGEND

Mr Riviera · June 10, 2014

It looks like we have lost a Great Friend and Legend in the First Gen. Riviera Circles .

http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Leonard-J.-Scott-100060812

RivNut · June 10, 2014

Twenty years ago, a fledgling Riviera owner was needing information about boring a 425. This was before the days of email and free long distance on your cell phone. This guy wrote a note to Mr. Scott asking him his opinion on whether to do a 0.030 or a 0.040 overbore on his engine. Mr. Scott took the time to reply in a hand written letter (which I still have) on old fashioned three-hole blue lined paper; it was four pages long. I found out more about boring an engine, core shifts, what the factory did to keep the cylinder walls the same thickness in the 425 as they are in the 401, and more than I'd ever hoped to learn about the why's and wherefores of boring an engine. I even showed this to the machinist who was going to do the work and I think he learned something as well. Mr. Scott recommended the 0.030 overbore. He could have sent me a post card with that info, but he took the time to hand write a detailed explanation as to why.

At the end of the letter, Mr. Scott had included a note about the part he'd sent and said "it's the best of the three that I have." He also said that he wasn't going to charge me for the part until I knew that it fit, and was satisfied with it.

Just the kind of guy he was. It was my pleasure to just have known him. Just think what kind of information he would have been able to share with us on this forum.

Edited June 10, 2014 by RivNut (see edit history)

1965rivgs · June 10, 2014

I have at least a dozen letters which I received from Leonard which I have kept for many years. He and I wrote and spoke many, many times. He was VERY knowledgeable and always more than willing to share and learn....and as Ed has stated, a prolific writer. I still have a price list of parts for sale which I received from him....I come across it occasionally and it is worth a chuckle. His parts were always very reasonably priced and excellent quality. He was an original `65 GS owner! His car was a rather unusual color combo, verde green exterior with a white standard interior, the only one I have ever seen.

Presently working on getting my desk top/scanner back in action, when I do I will post some pics.

Rest In Peace Leonard...the original "Riviera Man"!

Tom

RockinRiviDad · June 10, 2014

I didn't know Leonard J. Scott but he sounds like a man I would have loved to meet.

The two stories shared by Ed & Tom got me to thinking the torch still burns on…sounds like Ed & Tom were cut from the same mold.

May Leonard Rest In Peace

Thanks for sharing…

David

Mr Riviera · June 11, 2014

Perhaps not known , Leonard was a retired Marine ! Semper Fi Len

BadgerRivFan · June 11, 2014

I did not know Leonard, but as a Riviera guru and a Patriot he is truly someone to be admired. Rest in peace sir...

Mr Riviera · June 15, 2014

After being Retired from the Marine Corp. Leonard went to work for Mark Smiley of Classic Buicks - Thats where he gained his knowledge on the Rivieras . I guess he spent most of his time stripping the First Generation Rivieras for parts for re-sale . The last time I visited Len he had a 65 Riv GS Verde Green - he had other cars as well . Dont know where they went ?

Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel · June 16, 2014

I kept the letter Leonard wrote me regarding the Riviera's turn signal actuator for a long time. Such great detail and caring about how to fix the car right. A most excellent man - he is missed.

65VerdeGS · June 17, 2014

It looks like we have lost a Great Friend and Legend in the First Gen. Riviera Circles .
http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Leonard-J.-Scott-100060812

Leonard is a Riviera legend indeed!

I met Leonard Scott in July 1983, a few months after I had bought my '65 Gran Sport. I drove my 'new' car to Southern California on vacation that summer and one of my stops was at "Classic Buicks" in Chino, run by Mark Smiley. I was looking for some odds and ends, including the SUPER WILDCAT decal for the air cleaner lid which had recently been reproduced. I was standing in the reception area of the store when I heard whispers behind the counter. Someone was saying "Whose is that green Riviera in the parking lot?..." Soon enough a trim and fit middle-aged guy with a Marine hair cut came to the counter. This was Leonard Scott. He asked if the Riviera outside was mine. Twenty four year old me said "Why, yes, its mine." We moved to the parking lot where he looked over my Verde Green car. He then told me that he had exactly the same car, and that he had bought his brand new Verde Green GS in August 1965. We instantly had at least one thing in common!

I asked him about parts for my car. In hushed tones he said "Yes, Mark here has most of what you need, but I can probably help you with whatever you need at a good-guy price." Hence began a friendship that lasted many years. Leonard was reliable and honest to a fault. He would send me parts without payment, and only expected payment when I was satisfied. On more than one occasion I called him long-distance (back then it wasn't free) to ask advice and he always gladly gave of his time. He sent me photos of his cars - in 1984 he had 7 Rivs, and garages full of parts. There was never a part I needed that he didn't have on hand. One time I was driving home, going up a long hill when I started to hear an increasingly loud rapping noise. I thought my engine was going! But I also noticed that the noise was based on road-speed, not engine RPM. Leonard quickly diagnosed it as a loose flexplate bolt. He told me how to repair it without removing the transmission from the car, saving me considerable money. I always held Leonard in the highest regard.

Leonard was my intro into the Riviera Owners Association. He told me about a fledgling group that had been started by a man named Ray Knott in Colorado. I joined the ROA in 1984, as member #259, and received my black on silver window sticker that said "'63-'65 Riviera" as during those early days membership was limited to the first-generation models only.

Thanks to Leonard I was able to keep my Riviera in good running order while completing a gradual restoration. Leonard would reliably reply to my inquiries via neatly typewritten letters on onionskin paper, some over a dozen pages long. I still have 14 of his letters. In one letter he sent me detailed instructions on how to restore my headlight motor. Leonard's help was part of the reason why I enjoyed driving my Riviera for nine years as my daily driver. In those earlier years there weren't many resources available for people like myself and Leonard gave me confidence in knowing I could keep my car in working order. Leonard was a font of knowledge about the first-generation Rivieras, and I will always have fond memories of his dedication to the hobby and the kindness he showed his fellow enthusiasts such as myself.

I'll except passages from some of Leonard's letters in future posts for all of you to enjoy.

Rest in Peace Leonard, and thank you for all those you touched and helped over the years!

JZRIV · June 17, 2014

Thanks for the good stories folks. Great detail Alex on your experience especially since it was so long ago. Some people have a way of making a lasting impression. Think I recall only having one letter contact with Leonard since I was into the later generation Rivs. Seems we need to create some sort of lasting memorial for Leonard within the ROA.

June 17, 2014

I did not know Leonard or know of him. I do know the repair and maintenance on any car is in flux as the car ages. The mechanics in the 60's working on these cars were (for the most part) parts changers. Parts were not only available but abundant. Today's engine builders to patching in floors 50 years later, making a clam motor work again or pressing rear control arm bushings out and in without wrecking the control arm are increasingly becoming lost arts. Guys like Leonard deserve their torch carried on, may his legacy live on.

Mr Riviera · July 7, 2014

Yet another letter has surfaced !

Mr Riviera · September 1, 2014

Here is the only picture I have of Mr Riviera , Len Scott , taken at a Riviera Meet I think in Buana Park Ca. Still a Marine haircut , telling folks about the Riviera !

devildog93 · September 5, 2014

It sounds like i missed out on meeting a great man who would have had a ton of stories to pass on from a couple of areas we share. I'll do my part to keep the haircut going while he is guarding the gates wherever he is now. Quite the shoes to fill by those of us trying to continue on down this path.

1965rivgs · September 12, 2014

I have at least a dozen letters which I received from Leonard which I have kept for many years. He and I wrote and spoke many, many times. He was VERY knowledgeable and always more than willing to share and learn....and as Ed has stated, a prolific writer. I still have a price list of parts for sale which I received from him....I come across it occasionally and it is worth a chuckle. His parts were always very reasonably priced and excellent quality. He was an original `65 GS owner! His car was a rather unusual color combo, verde green exterior with a white standard interior, the only one I have ever seen.
Presently working on getting my desk top/scanner back in action, when I do I will post some pics.
Rest In Peace Leonard...the original "Riviera Man"!
Tom

Finally have the pics scanned and am at my desktop with a beer and a few minutes to devote to this thread. These are pics Leonard sent to me many years ago when I was a "newbie". It was hard to get good info back then and when you did the long distance charges put a dent in the monthly budget!

He also sent a copy of the original window sticker. Leonard was the original owner. I LOVE the rear 1/4 pic...the way the sun is illuminating the charcoal color in the chrome wheel...and the fact it adds pleasant, but not stark, contrast to the dynamite Verde green/white color combo....if this was the custom interior version I`d mortgage the house for this one! What a guy...great conversations/memories...enjoy!

The first pic is our Director Ray Knott apparently presenting Leonard with a certificate of appreciation? Not sure...or what meet this is? Maybe Ray can chime in,

Tom Mooney

Edited September 12, 2014 by 1965rivgs (see edit history)

RivNut · September 12, 2014

The first pic is our Director Ray Knott apparently presenting Leonard with a certificate of appreciation? Not sure...or what meet this is? Maybe Ray can chime in, Tom Mooney

This was at the meet in Buena Park, CA - 1992.

Ed

Ray_Knott · September 13, 2014

I regret that I was not aware of the passing of Leonard Scott until last night, when these threads were brought to my attention by Tom Mooney. Unfortunately with my work load, I rely on others to keep me informed about postings on the forum.

Leonard Scott, ROA #125, joined ROA 30 years ago and made an impact from the very first. He offered his services as a Technical Advisor for the 1963-65 years and also sold parts for those years. Leonard always went above and beyond when giving advice or helping to find that needed part. Leonard never used email and preferred that questions were submitted by mail with a SASE included. The answers were long detailed and often handwritten. Leonard served as a Technical Advisor until July 2004 when his health started to fail. Leonard was elected in 1986 to the ROA Board of Trustees and served until October of 2007, when he resigned due to loss of hearing.

Leonard was a tough Marine, having served in Vietnam, where he lost some of his hearing. He told me he was stationed for a year just eleven miles south of the DMZ, where he heard rocket attacks and bombs every day. In 1965 Leonard ordered a Verde Green 1965 Gran Sport with a standard white interior, and little frills. He kept this car as long as I knew him. Leonard worked with Marc Smiley at Classic Buick, where he was able to learn all about the early Rivieras and assist others. In the mid-eighties he built a dome house in the high desert of California and to my understanding, never used a power tool. For years Leonard had two ROA memberships and received two issues of the Riview. He insisted on doing that so his wife Mary Ellen would have an issue of her own.

There are few men like Leonard Scott, tough as nails with a heart of gold. God rest his soul.

Ray Knott, ROA #1

Director / Editor

Edited September 13, 2014 by Ray_Knott (see edit history)

63 Rivi · September 17, 2014

Lots of great stories about Leonard. He helped me with some very thorough technical advice back in the late 80's and gave that same devotion to others in the club as well. A class act that will be missed.

PaulMuzz · May 3, 2022

On 6/10/2014 at 3:19 PM, RivNut said:

Twenty years ago, a fledgling Riviera owner was needing information about boring a 425. This was before the days of email and free long distance on your cell phone. This guy wrote a note to Mr. Scott asking him his opinion on whether to do a 0.030 or a 0.040 overbore on his engine. Mr. Scott took the time to reply in a hand written letter (which I still have) on old fashioned three-hole blue lined paper; it was four pages long. I found out more about boring an engine, core shifts, what the factory did to keep the cylinder walls the same thickness in the 425 as they are in the 401, and more than I'd ever hoped to learn about the why's and wherefores of boring an engine. I even showed this to the machinist who was going to do the work and I think he learned something as well. Mr. Scott recommended the 0.030 overbore. He could have sent me a post card with that info, but he took the time to hand write a detailed explanation as to why.

At the end of the letter, Mr. Scott had included a note about the part he'd sent and said "it's the best of the three that I have." He also said that he wasn't going to charge me for the part until I knew that it fit, and was satisfied with it.

Just the kind of guy he was. It was my pleasure to just have known him. Just think what kind of information he would have been able to share with us on this forum.

Hi Ed

he must have been a special person to do that. The prior owner of my 64 also bored over .030. Do you have any background why that is preferable?

RivNut · May 3, 2022

10 hours ago, PaulMuzz said:

Hi Ed

he must have been a special person to do that. The prior owner of my 64 also bored over .030. Do you have any background why that is preferable?

Paul,

Although it wasn't specified, i think that boring 0.030 was enough to clean up the cylinders and also leave another 0.010 for the future. Plus 0.020 and 0.040 pistons probably have to be specially made. Just my humble opinion.

Ed

Zimm63 · May 4, 2022

Curious as to whether any of his letters have been put on the ROA technical site?

RivNut · May 6, 2022

On 5/4/2022 at 9:40 AM, Zimm63 said:

Curious as to whether any of his letters have been put on the ROA technical site?

I’ve been giving this some thought and I’ve come to this realization. The information that Mr. Scott shared through his letters was new information for us at the time. Over the next 35+ years, most of that “new” information is now pretty much common knowledge. The thing that set Mr. Scott apart was the time and effort that he put into his responses, all of which were done by hand without the aid of a computer and or a word processor.

THE PASSING OF A LEGEND

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