Vicspensive

Thanks to everyone's advice here and on the Yahoo Riv list I avoided the expensive future of dealing with the '71 Riviera in the aforementioned post. I went to sleep at night with the thoughts of "buy with your head and not your heart" and "another Riviera, another day". Two weeks later, I came across a '65 Riviera on Craigslist. The guy who is selling it restores 70's muscle cars and is just not into the 60's but got this one at a police auction. The person who owned it before kept it in great shape as far as the engine, the brakes, hoses, belts, seals, interior, air-conditioning, exhaust, drive shaft, headliner, etc. and so on. No leaks, fluids good. Great tires all the hubcaps. Good chrome. Even the "courtesy lights" worked. The only problems are a missing passenger seat and some rust on the front right fender which will need to be replaced. Otherwise, light surface rust and in need of a paint job. No deep rust anywhere, not in the trunk, undercarriage, back window and no Bondo. Back to the interior, all original and in great shape. A few days later I come across someone selling a passenger seat, right front fender, and some small assorted parts for console and such in the "auto parts" section of Craigslist. I call him. He has 5 Rivieras, 63-65. We chatted and his only very strong opinion was "don't buy a '65 Riv with an engine rattle". I test drove the '65 today, which has not been driven much lately by the current owner. I listened for squeaks, rattles, clunks and I only experienced a light rattle on the 401 Nailhead which subsided after a minute. But, upon accelerating to just over 35 I got a little rattle for about 10 seconds. I thought it might because the timing was off. Pistons not firing all together right. It needs a tune-up, I can tell. Is this the rattle I should fear though? I'm no expert but everything looked so well kept as far as the engine goes. This car will need some cosmetic love on the outside, I'm just not too keen on the idea of throwing my life's savings into deep engine problems. What are some thoughts from other '65 Riv owners here? I have a moderate budget each month to put into this car (or one like it) and need to drive it daily but only short distances. I do have a mobile mechanic friend and AAA but would like to expand my own working knowledge. Oh, and this car is about $700 more than I planned on spending but $700 now might be $1700 saved down the road. I do feel it is a sound car for a fair price though, but I'm trying to buy with my head... Thanks, Vic

Hi Everyone, I just joined this group because I am getting ready to purchase '71 Riviera boat tail and want to make sure I'm not getting in over my head. I owned a '73 Riviera for a few years and my only problems with it were when it stalled after driving through rain puddles after a good rain and people accosting me whenever I parked it trying to buy it from me. First off, I am not looking into making this a show car. Just want a good looking daily driver and a car that I'm familiar with. I'd be getting an extremely good deal on the '71 from another guy who is an amateur gearhead. Also have a freelance mechanic who is great with Rivieras and charges a lot less than the shop. Unfortunately, my mechanic lives in my town and the car is in a town about 90 miles away. I have AAA Plus and intended to have it towed. Here's a list of what it needs fixed on my potential purchase according to the seller: -"it was my daily driver but the steering column busted, I replaced it with a new one and now it won't crank. I know it's something electrical but I don't have the electrical equipment to check it" -"the issue with the steering collum is that the ignition gave way before it gave out" -"it needs some electrical work in the engine as well as the driver side power window but once the electrical is done , she'll turn" -"the engine has a couple of mods......( dual exhaust, flow masters, eidlebrock intake, custom down pipes) the 455 has been replaced with a 350 from a Skylark" -the speedometer is stuck at 110 MPH (could be due to electrical problems or speed sensor?) -the odometer does not work Otherwise, everything else runs well and he's been keeping up maintenance. Straight body, no rust, no dents, no broken windows, interior is acceptable, needs a new paint job. It's primer black right now. Was black on black originally. I realize there are some RIv owners on this list who cringe at the idea of taking out the 455 engine and putting in a 350 but my last Riviera got 11 miles to the gallon so the smaller more fuel efficient one if okay with me for now. The question I am posing to the forum is how much work, approximately, is it going to take to get this car in fair running condition? I don't have a lot of money and just want to get the basics taken care of first. I will be making a bit more money soon though and realize that certain things inevitably go wrong on an older car and am prepared to deal with that. The other question I have, is there anything in particular I need to be wary of when I'm checking out the '71 Riviera? I'm just an amateur at doing work on engines, just know the basics, and am very interested in expanding my knowledge. Thanks.