kreed Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 I need center console lens for my 69 Riviera with bucket seats . The plastic lens is rectangle and about 2x 3 inches and fits at the very back of the console. Have looked everywhere - no luck so far. Any help would be greatly appreciated . Thank you. KReed ROA 14549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 In the 40 years I've owned my '69, I have never seen this item offered, new or used. So, I made my own from an old lighting fixture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 Thanks for the reply- mine is still intact but literally crumbling away . Every time I get in the car , there are few more " crumbs " in the back floorboard ! Just waiting for it to fall apart ..... I suspect I Will have to try the same thing you did and make one . KReed ROA 14549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 8 hours ago, kreed said: mine is still intact but literally crumbling away Can you provide a picture for those of us who are not as familiar with this issue as others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 The lens is ribbed and I don’t believe it was used on any other GM car other than the 69 and 70 Riviera. Certainly not an easy part to find. Reproductions are not being made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWB Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 16 hours ago, kreed said: Thanks for the reply- mine is still intact but literally crumbling away . Every time I get in the car , there are few more " crumbs " in the back floorboard ! Just waiting for it to fall apart ..... I suspect I Will have to try the same thing you did and make one . KReed ROA 14549 The suspended ceiling panels have slight flexibility. Not ribbed but the frosted white has a smooth side to expose in the cabin. You'll have plenty with one piece in case the first cut goes awry. $10.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70rivme Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 That truly is a piece of unobtainium you are looking for. When I decided I was doing the center console and bucket thing to my '70, I must have chased down at least 14 or 15 of these consoles. Even when the consoles looked to be in decent usable condition, that lens was always missing, broken or even warped like it had started to melt. So project buckets with shorty console was initiated instead. I wish you luck in finding one and will keep an eye out for ya. If you end up making one, I look forward to the details and progress! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I will grab a picture and post it . Will try and make one and let you know how it turns out. Thanks KReed 14549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 I made mine from an old fluorescent light.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 . . . ' unobtainium' as Pat, and others have stated, common to '69-'70 Riviera only ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannemerjung Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Made mine from an ice-cream container (pecan caramel) after a long and unsuccessful search. I attached some pictures of the process (cleaned up the frame after the pictured test fit). Looking forward to seeing your solution. BTW - can anyone provide a picture of the original lens? Regards, Alexander 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 (edited) 42 minutes ago, mannemerjung said: Made mine from an ice-cream container Excellent work. I especially like the little frame you made. Did you go down the back side of the console also or did you only go with a top lens? BTW, your interior color looks the same as my 1969 Chev Caprice, medium green or is your interior gold? Hard to tell. Edited October 10, 2017 by NCRiviera (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Was this light for interior illumination or does it illuminate something inside the console? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Interior illumination only. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 On 10/9/2017 at 12:30 AM, Rivdrivn said: I made mine from an old fluorescent light.. Can we see how it turned out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 13 hours ago, NCRiviera said: Can we see how it turned out? I must have a thousand pictures of that car but none apparently showing the rear console lens. I'll be sure to take one next time I'm down in Florida again 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannemerjung Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 22 hours ago, NCRiviera said: Excellent work. I especially like the little frame you made. Did you go down the back side of the console also or did you only go with a top lens? BTW, your interior color looks the same as my 1969 Chev Caprice, medium green or is your interior gold? Hard to tell. I re-used the partly burnt out old lens as a frame for the new one, the lower part was still in good shape, so I re-did the top lens and kept the lower part. The interior color is antique-gold. I am still in the restoration process, hence only some pictures from the upholstery-shop (original vinyl from sms autofabrics). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 10 minutes ago, mannemerjung said: original vinyl from sms autofabrics Looks great. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgerRivFan Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Here is a photo of the lens cover in question... I need one of these too for my '70! This photo was taken at the ROA meet in Lexington and it's from the interior of Pat Curran's unrestored '69. Sadly, the car has left the U.S. and is now overseas. If someone were willing to let us borrow an original, they could be reproduced. I would love love to find one also to complete my car... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 3 minutes ago, BadgerRivFan said: Here is a photo of the lens cover in question Very interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWB Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) 21 hours ago, Rivdrivn said: I must have a thousand pictures of that car but none apparently showing the rear console lens. I'll be sure to take one next time I'm down in Florida again I'll get the key under the door mat, Steve. And I'll take her for a spin here in Fla Edited October 11, 2017 by PWB (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 . . . still looking BadgerRiv Fan - they are almost 'unobtanium' - a very scarce item ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 On 10/10/2017 at 7:43 AM, NCRiviera said: Can we see how it turned out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodneybeauchamp Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 On 12 October 2017 at 2:26 AM, BadgerRivFan said: This photo was taken at the ROA meet in Lexington and it's from the interior of Pat Curran's unrestored '69. Sadly, the car has left the U.S. and is now overseas. ????? and you know what, we only take the good uns ! Rodney from down under Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 Here's mine which is original to car - intact but crumbling daily . Afraid to even touch it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Ken & Al, Buy this gorgeous car for the console lens! LOL Although it looks like if the lens was touched it might crumble. Amazing number of detail pics in this listing. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-BUICK-RIVIERA-SURVIVOR-455-WILDCAT-BIG-BLOCK-RUST-FREE-TURN-KEY-/302619730964?rmvSB=true 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Yes, I noticed the console lens too. Great pictures of a very striking color combo. Somebody should grab this one and bring it to KC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 Love this rare color combo. Nothing wrong that $25-30 K couldn't fix KReed ROA 14549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 Jason this car has your name all over it . Just a couple hundred miles away? You'd look good in it . KReed ROA 14549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 (edited) Ken I'd be Lying if I said I haven’t given it thought. If only it had that little 2 letter badge on the front fenders. I really like the color, but think my wife would look better in it than me. Not to say she wouldn't look better in anything! 70s were never a favorite but this is second one now that caught my attention. The other was the blue/white GS in Cedar Rapids. Had that one been closer I’d have at least “ looked”. Don’t know if it ever sold. Edited February 1, 2018 by JZRIV (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Remove the vinyl top, put on a set of rally wheels w/ wsw tires. Detail the engine compartment and redo the seats and youd have a nice 20 footer to drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannemerjung Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Hi everybody, there are reproductions popping up on eBay! https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1969-70-Riviera-Console-Rear-Lamp-Lens/123226471800?hash=item1cb0debd78:g:~BAAAOSw7UZbOnQu Given the price, I will stick to my DIY-version, but maybe someone else is interested. Alexander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, mannemerjung said: Hi everybody, there are reproductions popping up on eBay! https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1969-70-Riviera-Console-Rear-Lamp-Lens/123226471800?hash=item1cb0debd78:g:~BAAAOSw7UZbOnQu Given the price, I will stick to my DIY-version, but maybe someone else is interested. Alexander The prices on these have actually come down on since they first came out last year. There has been a little feedback on FB. Generally they are being rated as a good buy for replacing the missing lens. I think for what it is, it's not a bad reproduction until someone creates a more refined version. Edited March 28, 2019 by NC68Riviera (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice007 Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 I've reproduced a very close to original version and printed it with a 3D printer. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Nice job for a "unobtainium" part - looks great ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 One of the things that help to dissolve the lens is the heat generated from the incandesent bulb. Replace it with a LED bulb. Very little to no heat generated from the bulb. The lens on the rear of the console is really not in any direct sunlight so it has to be the bulb only causeing the deterioration. Tom T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 20 hours ago, telriv said: One of the things that help to dissolve the lens is the heat generated from the incandesent bulb. Replace it with a LED bulb. Very little to no heat generated from the bulb. The lens on the rear of the console is really not in any direct sunlight so it has to be the bulb only causeing the deterioration. Tom T. The interior continually heating and cooling could contribute to the deterioration of the original lenses, also (?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Bulb heat, same reason that the sail panel lights and console lights in the 1st generation cars yellow and crumble. I know a guy who cuts lenses from gallon milk jugs. Once installed, you can’t tell unless you know what to look for. I’m anxious to get my older stepson working on some repo stuff using his 3D printer. He’s already made a couple of housings and lenses for a couple bicycles that I’m restoring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 It was also prone to being kicked by people sitting in the back seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 The cooling/heating cycles of the vehicle has nothing to do with the detereoration/delamination of the lens as the heating & cooling cycles don't vary by 100's of degrees.. Have you ever touched even a small #194 bulb that's been on for 10 minutes??? IF you did let me know how it feels. Nevertheless a #90 or #89 bulb which would be a hell of a lot hotter. How many of us have been cleaning out the interior/vacuuming or replaing some parts, etc. & have left the doors open sometimes for hours at a time while performing these tasks. No one EVER thought about it then & really don't pay much attention to it now. How many will actually dis-connect a battery cable so the battery drains down so low now the battery has to be charged or jumped to start the vehicle. We have ALL done it, including myself. Tom T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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