might buy 63 riv,parts availability?

[Guest 65specialconvert]

hello,some of you might know me from v-8,bpg,teambuick,etc. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> i am going to look at a 63 riviera,i have been in love with them since the mid 70's,just havent got one yet.the interior is bad,are panels-headliners-seat covers around? leak around rear window emptied into trunk...trunk floors available?i dont want to buy it if parts are that hard to come by.according to the 24 year old kid that rescued it from a farmers field,its got the original belts,hoses,TIRES??? supposed to be a 425,runs and is drivable(not on those tires,thank you!)were is the engine code on a nailhead?any other dead giveaways on id'ing a 425 over a 401? i see the wiper motor is a pain to access & impossable to find,what else should i be concerned about?thanks for any info i need it,i'm a 65-72 A-body guy(but i have a 69 electra to boot) <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[RivNut]

I'll try to address each of your questions as accurately as possible.

Complete interiors - factory duplicates - are available in vinyl, leather, and cloth from Clarks Corvair. Google in their name, find their web site, and request a catalog. All rubber moldings are available. Trunk floors are not available as aftermarket replacement pieces, but some of the salvage yards in AZ advertise rust free cars from which these can be cut; or you could fabricate something.

The engine code for a 63 401 is JT, the code for a 63 425 is JW. I think only a handful of 425's were built, perhaps less than 5%.

Here's a link that will show you where to find the ID numbers.

http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/nailhead_425_identification.html

By propping up the hood and removing the driver's side hood hinge, you can access the wiper motor.

Be aware that the 63 is different that the 64's and 65's in the following ways. Emblems are silver on black Buick trishields - oone year one model only, wheel cover centers, Hood ornaments are different, red/wht/blue trishiled, not the R of the 64/65's. The 63 was the last year for the dynaflow transmission, this also means that the shift quadrant for the console is different. Light and wiper switches are in a different location. The controls for the heater and a/c are totally different. ALl 64's were 425's, the 2x4 set up was NOT available as a factory option in 63, nor were rally wheels and wood steering wheels, BUT 63 was the only first generation car to offer leather interior as an option. Fneders are direct interchanges with 64's but not 65's, the rear quarters for 63 and 64 are different that 65's. the front and rear 63/64 bumpers are the same, but not the 65's. If you look in the classifieds of an ROA Riview, you'll find countless sources for parts - repo, NOS, and used.

If you have any specifice questions, contact me by PM through this site

If the price is right, go for it.

[Guest Riviera66]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The engine code for a 63 401 is JT, the code for a 63 425 is JW. I think only a handful of 425's were built, perhaps less than 5%.</div></div>

Pretty close, Ed. 2,601 425s were installed in '63 Rivieras; that works out to 6.5%.

Darwin Falk

1966-70 ROA Technical Advisor

[JZRIV]

Parts availability is a concern when buying any old car. Rivieras in general, do not have many reproduction parts available although its far better than it was 20 years ago. Still not close to the more popular classic cars if that is what you're used to. Your Riviera project will be much more pleasant if you get a car in good condition to begin with.

Before buying a Riv consider what your intent is. If you are looking for a car to fix up to show condition there are plenty of 63-65 cars around that have been very well taken care of and not neglected. Sure you will pay more $$$ up front but in the end you'll have less invested and likely more solid car. Since there aren't many reproduction parts, used parts prices can be high (depending how patient you are) due to less availbility so you really have to look at what you want to invest when it comes to a Riv that has been neglected. Some models justify bringing back from the dead such as a GS or dual quad equipped 64, or perhaps a car that has sentimental value. If you haven't looked at any other Rivs seriously, I'd recommend doing some searching to see whats out there. Not only will spending more money up front save you money over the total project, you have a much better chance of actually completing it. Starting with a car in poor condition makes the project much more likely to become overwhelming and never get finished.

[Guest 65specialconvert]

no rallys eh?this car has them according to the owner.i am not taking his word for much since all hes done is trailer it home & parked it.i wasnt looking for one,its been on craigs list for quite a few days,and the price dropped to the point of sparking my interest,especially if it is a low mile unmolested original.hope im not wasting my $60 in gas to look at it <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> thanks for the help,keep it coming!!

[RivNut]

Buick rally wheels didn't on a Riviera until 1965. They were first intoduced in 1964 on the Wildcat. In 1963, the base car came with a standard wheel cover; options were the wire spoked wheel cover, and at the top of the line was the cast aluminum (two piece) wheel cover. Turbine vanes in cast aluminum with a stainless spinner that you removed to access the lug nuts. When you took the tire off the car, then you would lay it face down and unbolt the cast aluminum part from the wheel. Many cast aluminum covers have a piece missing from hitting a curb or pot hole too hard or there's a piece broken off where some dumb tire jock put a lot of weight behind a tire iron thinking the covers would pop off if he'd just force it a little more.

Many people have retrofitted the rallys on 63 and 64 models. I for one have them on both my 63 and my 64.