1965 Riviera GS resto pics

[Guest carlbraun]

Here are some pics of my 65 GS that is slowly coming together.  I hope to have the front fenders and hood on by the end of the month and the bumpers and glass in soon as well. Final vacuum lines and A/C wiring needs to be done before the windshield goes in.  Restored dash and passenger bolster was done by Just Dashes in Van Nuys and the rear package tray is a fiberglass unit that was covered in correct vinyl by Clark's.

Edited May 25, 2015 by carlbraun (see edit history)

[Eric's.64.Superwildcat]

Fantastic!

[Guest carlbraun]

eric

 

thanks

 

I once took a test drive in a 1974 Super Duty Trans Am down Ogden Avenue in front of Borg Pontiac.  All I remember is tire smoke and the green and white DG police cruiser.

[Tder1]

Now, That's how it's done ! Nice Job Carl ! They do seem to take forever so Slowly it hurts. Been working on mine for almost 3 years now. It will come together.

Edited May 25, 2015 by Tder1 (see edit history)

[Eric's.64.Superwildcat]

Here are some pics of my 65 GS that is slowly coming together.  I hope to have the front fenders and hood on by the end of the month and the bumpers and glass in soon as well. Final vacuum lines and A/C wiring needs to be done before the windshield goes in.  Restored dash and passenger bolster was done by Just Dashes in Van Nuys and the rear package tray is a fiberglass unit that was covered in correct vinyl by Clark's.

Carl,

  I noticed in your description that you installed a fiberglass package tray.  I've seen comments in other threads consistently stating that the aftermarket package trays don't fit right.  Was this your experience?  

 

I ask because it would seem that the manufacturer would want to correct whatever problem previous buyers have encountered and that the problem would eventually be corrected.  

 

Thanks

[petelempert]

C-That car looks amazing. Just curious, what paint did you use on your console? PRL

[Guest carlbraun]

thanks for the kind words on the project.

 

i took the advice of others on this site, as well as the suggestions from Clarks, and had the fiberglass tray covered in the correct black vinyl while at their facility.  With the help of my interior guy we popped a hole for the rear defroster and installed that. The fit and finish of the package tray REALLY stands out.  I'd advise anyone to get this done.  No real problems installing the tray AFTER you get over the idea of cutting a hole in the new tray and vinyl covering.  

 

The plastic components surrounding the dash, doors, seats and console were shot with a PPG paint by my body shop guys.  i believe they used a plastic etch primer and then the paint.

 

Just a note to put things into perspective...look at the photo of the dash...it took THREE complete Riviera dashes to restore my original which was already in pretty good shape.  These cars are crazy expensive to build and my ex-GM technical guru says this was the most complicated dash and wiring job he'd ever seen on a GM car...and he's seen them all...being a GM Western Region electrical specialist.for 25 years.

[JanZverina]

Hi Carl,

Where in San Diego are you? You may know this already but there's a meet-up on June 14 at the Deer Park Winery and Museum in Escondido. Your car may not be ready but you may want to attend. Contact karalis@cox.net for details.

-Jan

[slosteve]

That resto is a WOWSER, Carl.

 

Steve