I am in the midst of rechroming my rear bumper, replacing the tail light bezels and lenses, and touching up the paint in this area. I had seen that CARS had replacement lenses. So upon my removing the tail lights and disassembling them, I had to tear out the lenses since they were calked in with silicone. The lenses were cracked anyway. I ordered several parts from CARS. Unfortunately the order came minus the lenses, with a note that they no longer stock the lenses.

HELP! Does anyone make reproductions, or is there a good source for used ones? I realize ebay has them occasionally, but I did not find any current postings. Any other ideas?

Steve Lancaster
ROA 9842

There are listings now on Ebay under 1963 Buick Riviera for tail light lenses. I have a 63 and check Ebay every day for listings. I am quite qure that 63 and 64 have the same tail lights. One of the listings is for lenses only. It said one has a hair line crack on one end. It looks like the center logo is missing on both lenses. It expires in a little over one day. The other listing is for complete tail light assemblies with lenses. This listing expires in 6 days. You may want to check them out. If not keep checking daily, as they do come up quite often. Good luck.

The glass part of the lenses is the same but the medallion is different. Make sure that you save the medallions from your 64 lenses to use in the lenses from a 63 if that's what you wind up purchasing.

Steve,
Don't forget the member/dealers in the Riview like Gene G. Larry Daisy and Dick Sweeney! They specialize in 1st Gen parts and all three are stand-up guys! One of them will have the good quality parts that you need!
Tim McCluskey
ROA 9686

The bezels are the same but the lenses and the emblems are different 63 to 64. The 63 have a round emblem, the 64's an oval one and they are not interchangeable unless you want to have 63 emblems and lenses in your 64. The recess that the emblem fits into is shaped like the emblem, hence no interchange.

I've had an easier time finding 63's than 64's. Also finding good core bezels for rechroming is getting tougher.

Larry

Yes we have the new lenses that you ordered from cars give us a call at GM Obsolete 602-253-8081

The lenses are the same. The 63 Tri shields and the 64 R both sit in a round background that are the same size. The medallions are fastened from inside the lens.

ED, Sorry but you are wrong on that. They are two very different lenses and not interchangable. I have both and they are different.

Larry

Thanks everyone. I would have to agree that the 63 and 64 lenses are different. There is a shallow recess for the larger oval 64 emblem vs. the smaller round 63 emblem. I did notice that GM Obsolete has new reproductions. I am a shopper and would like to make sure I have options. I will try contacting some ROA sources like Tim suggested.

I went out and took apart the tail light assembly on my 64 this morning. I learned something. I guess I was thinking of the replacement lens I saw at an ROA event a few years ago. I think the replacement was made so that it was interchangable for both years; there was no indentation for the medallion, just the hole for mounting the medallion.

Azcarman, I want to put in a plug for the tail light lens I purchased from GM Obsolete. I received them today, installed them in the new bezels and mounted them on the car. The lenses are BEAUTIFUL. They are sharply reproduced and have a brilliant reflective quality. You know, I wanted to whine about the price, but we have to realize that having a 64 Riviera is not like owning a Mustang or Chevelle. We pay the price for having a car out of the mainstream of collectors. I am very happy.

Conroy,
Very well said. These cars are not belly button "A" bodies, and anyone who is willing to supply us with nice reproduction parts deserves our business, or they will stop doing it! That is why I always try to recommend vendors who advertise in the Riview!
Take Care,
Tim

Anyone know of a source for 65 tail light lenses? GM Obselete still carries the 64 but has no listing for a 65.