ArtDan

What about body mounts? What are their condition?

Nice car congratulations welcome to ROA having done your homework really pays off the price seems fair, for a good solid car. everything else can be corrected, as long as you don't start with a rust bucket I took the plunge 2 years ago, and haven't regretted it yet between the ROA and this forum you will find just about everything you will need to have a great ride

This is all very interesting and gets to the core of the "numbers matching" mythology. After 50 years each of these vehicles becomes a unique entity given its treatment over 5 decades. A numbers matching vehicle can be poorly maintained, and driven into the ground, stored poorly, handled by incompetent mechanics. A well maintained vehicle, properly restored by competent technicians, garage kept or dry climate vehicle is given second class status because of its engine being replaced. Numbers matching is irrelevant because of all the other mitigating factors that define a vehicle's true condition. Numbers matching falsely inflates a vehicle's value because it has nothing to do with a vehicle's history.

"I hope Dave finds the installation was done properly! But if I was a potential buyer looking at Dave`s car, even though for me these issues are easily rectified because I have the parts and am a mechanic by trade, I would expect the worst and build a substantial discount into my best offer, all because the original and appropriate drivetrain components are not in place. After all is said and done, time is money, whether the time is my own or someone else`s. Dave, no offense to you or your car intended by my post...just making a point. If you need any help please feel free to contact me directly. My contact info is in The Riview. Best of luck! Tom Mooney That's right instill fear into scenario and shake the man's confidence in a ride he's had for 22 years Replacements done properly hold well with time. No need to scare the owner into thinking he has a lesser ride due to your projections. Numbers matching still is a bunch of malarkey When a spark plug wears out you replace it when a tire tread wears you replace it when a car is driven, and the engine blows you replace it Big deal

Enjoy the car as-is while looking for a rust-free replacement. My 1st car, when re-entering the old car market was a rust bucket. I sank a lot of money into it for 4 years, and still had a car worth next-to-nothing I then bought a rust free car, have put very little into it and still have a car worth as much as I paid Buy someone else's blood, sweat and tears. Its a lot cheaper and the car you own spends more time on the road than in the shop

57 with a 65 Growing up, the guy across the street took wrecks and rebuilt them. Took a 65 in 1969 and made it a convertible white on white with an orange pinstripe. I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen!

My 56 T-Bird and 57 Mark II (What can I say? My Father was an engineer for Ford)

Don't feel bad about the news IMO it really doesn't matter You have a great car with an authentic engine Numbers matching has no relevance if you're going to drive and enjoy the car Still a fantastic ride My 65's original engine blew, and was replaced with a 401 nailhead rebuilt from a previous year. Knowing this, I still bought the car with no regrets I enjoy my car as a wonderful automobile to drive; that's what they were made for. Enjoy your car in good health!

Thanks The previous owner had painted many items under the hood argent silver, including the valve covers I've carefully stripped them by hand to discover the finishes you've described. The car came to me with a 401 engine, dual quad setup and scripted BUICK finned valve covers I knew the engine had been replaced over a dozen years ago, so I am not sure what adaptations were done with the engine to make it fit with the tranny I just had the TH400 rebuilt at the factory where it was made. I hope to be good-to-go by Spring

I am having my 401 rebuilt. Its not the original engine to my 65, but I believe it is a 63 or 64 engine I have looked through the forum and can not find the answer to what was the original finish on the aluminum valve covers? Were they painted silver? Or were they just brushed and polished?

While shopping for a 65 I found what was originally a Silver Mist car that had been repainted Flame Red I purchased the car because of the condition was great, and I love the color. Because the repaint is good quality, and the color a factory color, I had no qualms spending the $ I believe the change of color does not adversely affect the value, based on the number of unsolicited offers I recieve.

My mechanic matched the size of the chanel with that of a 66 Chevelle replacement stock It was a little too long (about 1.5") so he trimmed it down This way I was able to replace with new material, rather than a used part.

I had several PM's sent on this question Thanks!

Does anyone have a source for the run channel that attaches to the backside of the vent window of a 65 Riv? This is the channel that the main door glass rides up and down in and is attached to the vent window pillar.

I see that Clark's switch has only 2 wires I decided to go with one that has been rebuilt Thanks again guys!

I am being told by my mechanic that the rollers to my 65 rear power windows are aluminum Can nylon rollers be used as replacements, or is there a source for aluminum replacements?

Thanks to all You guys have been very helpful I will post my results after further investigation

The jamb switch busted, and I will be replacing it soon maybe this was a sign that the switch was going bad anyway Once the switch is replaced, I now know what to look for Thanks!

I tried searching for a thread that spoke of this, with no luck: When the driver's side door is opened on my 65, the interior lights located in the upper back seat of the car do not come on. When the passenger side door is opened, the same lights do come on. My mechanic tells me that this is how they may have designed the car lighting system. Is this true, or is there a wiring problem? Thanks in advance,

Thanks for posting. What an exceptional car! And the pics will be a great resource for me (and others too, I'm sure)

The other consideration is gas mileage. Being the new owner of a 65 with 401 engine and dual quads I was suprised to see I only get 7-10 miles per gallon. Now I realize the dual Quads need re-building, but I was shocked by what it costs me weekly to fill the tank. What kind of mileage do other people get on their Riv's?

Always good to hear of progress! congratulations Jason has the driveway cleanup pegged pretty well I like to use a citris based cleaner to cut the grease. not only cardboard is handy protection I keep an old shower curtain around when I change oil since it wipes clean

PA is a little closer than CA I've used a company in FL to chrome some plastic for me If they are as good at metal as they were with plastic, you would do fine: Universal Electrocoating, Inc. Triple Chrome Plating on plastics Their galleries show some fine work and the folks there were great to deal with.

If you are looking for a terrific chrome shop a little closer to home, check out Librandi's in PA: Librandi's Plating

Thanks After discovering that thread yesterday, we ended up disconnecting the A/C compressor and using a short extension combined with a universal joint. It was what worked for us. Now the engine is firing on all 8 cylinders: what a difference! Next thing is to see what can be done with a noisy valve lifter.