[New to the Riviera -Part 2]

Wow you guys are really making me rethink my decision on this.

I get what you're saying Bernie, the car I end up with will be a car I had 100% control of the restoration. When you think about it, I could make the car exactly like I want. Maybe I change the whole color combo to whatever I want. I had been looking for a car not needing much in the way of restoration but maybe this could be better in the end.

What to do, what to do...

thanks again fellas, Dave

[New to the Riviera -Part 2]

Hello again,

As you may remember my thread from a couple weeks back, you all were advising me on 66 that I was trying to buy. Well, I have never heard back on my offer for their nicely preserved but non-running car, so I assumed that was a no. It's too bad because the car deserves a better fate that it's getting.

Anyway, not to be stopped on my hunt for a nice Riv I responded to an ad for a 64 one owner car. Crazy enough the ad was similar to the first car, one owner (mom) SoCal car, well maintained by father, but parents have passed and the car has been sitting. This car has been on the road as recently as 2012, but the car is not currently running. My buddy and I checked it out yesterday and it appears to be a pretty solid car. Wearing most of its original paint with the usual surface rust where it's thinned. It does have all the trim though it needs replating. No rust in the trunk or floors that we could find. The car has been sitting in the California sun for some time and that has taken its toll on the interior. Door panels are faded and it will need upholstery, headliner, package tray.

Asking price was $7500, which seemed fair enough? but I am not a Riviera expert (still learning). After sleeping on it I've decided to pass on this car, not necessarily for the money, but it's a bit bigger project than I want to take on. Below are few pics I took if anyone wants to see it. I can post a link to his ad, the owner is a nice fellow. I'm not sure what the policy is on links to ads though, don't want to get in trouble.

Thanks again, Dave

Dave Carter

roa# 14284 (still looking for my first Riv)

[New to the Riviera question]

Thought I'd give a status update on the Riv.

I went back this weekend tried a few more things to get the Riv started, didn't have a lot of time but I'm reasonably sure it's the fuel pump. The engine will run priming the carb but quickly shuts off when it runs out of fuel. It did run long enough to develop a coolant leak. There's a small hose leading to thermostat housing at a right angle to the radiator hose, on the carb side. This small hose is attached to what looks like a diaphragm and this diaphragm was leaking coolant. Hope this explanation makes sense, I don't have a service manual (yet) for the proper names.

I was pointing out to the owner that these are the type of things that will start appearing when trying to put the car back into service. I know they think it's perfect, and it is well "preserved", but not perfect like their ad says. I explained before I put my family in it for a drive lots of things will need to be sorted.

I was able to move some stuff around and inspect the body better and I think the paint is salvageable. As my uncle always says, I think you could "grind a shine" on it. It would be worth a try at the very least.

Also checked the plates and noticed the last registration sticker was from 2000! So while they have been moving it and driving short trips, this vehicle wasn't intended to be driven regularly for many years.

I don't think there's much more I can do to get it running without taking the car apart in her garage and I'm really not comfortable doing that. So I made them an offer for the car as it sits, not running. It was more than anyone else has offered and I believe more than fair. I'll let you all know what happens.

Thanks again for all the advice -Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Marcisdave,

I think your idea of saving the current paint is a good one. My buddy and I were just discussing the value of keeping it original and trying to save the current paint. The small areas that have been touched up with a spray can I believe could be sanded back off with patience. Maybe a spot touch up with the correct matching paint would be ok and preserve the originality somewhat. I've also seen those dent guys work miracles on some panels so I'm starting to think the preservation route is the way to go for this car.

Thanks, Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Thanks again guys, believe me all the advice is appreciated.

My plan is to go back this weekend and try again to get the car running. Her daughter confirmed to me last night the last time the car was driven any distance was 3.5 years ago. This was only 5 or 6 miles to a local mechanic but in LA traffic that should have been enough for the car to reach temperature anyway. The car last ran a year ago and she said it ran fine. My understanding was this was moving the car from the garage for a general cleaning. I really want to get the car running and outside for a better inspection before talking any money.

I've attached to few photos as promissed. Sorry about the quality, low light and from my cell phone. -Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Jason, thanks for the advice.

The more I think about it even 6K may be too much considering all the possible issues. It may be a smarter move to pass on this car and spend more for a car that's already sorted. I don't have a problem with doing the work myself and I really want to help this family out. They had advertised this car before and people were trying to low ball her, saying the motor was locked up when it was just a dead battery. They must think since she is in her 80's she won't know any better, or maybe they didn't, who knows. I do think this car is too nice to leave sitting in her garage, it needs to be brought back to life.

Since the car is in California I checked to see the registration status to avoid any back fees (a California thing). It came back as no longer in the system, this means the last time anyone registered this car for driving or non-op (CA thing) was over 4 years ago. This tells me that the "drive" they took a year ago in this car were no more than around the block, which is kind of what they implied. So any real use this car has seen was a more than just a year ago. This also means even if it runs and moves I would play it safe and tow it home.

I'm thinking an as is offer is my path forward, cause either way I'm towing it home. I'm also retinking my 6K offer to maybe start at 5K and leave budget for other fixes. I believe they turned down 5K before but maybe with an explanation of what it will take to get her back to life maybe they will take it. I have some pic's on phone that I will post.

Thanks again to everyone who has chimed in! Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Thanks for the tips guys, sounds like electrical gremlins can be sorted. The non-starting situation bothers me a bit more. I've changed a fuel pump on a SBC, is the nailhead any different? I would much rather sort this with the car in my garage instead of the current owners. I'm tempted to make her an as is offer and have it towed to my house. My only concern with this is that I don't know if the tranny works.

I haven't mentioned the price yet, they are asking $8500. If I had found this a running drive able car in its current condition with functioning accessories that may have been a reasonable price. But it's neither running or driving but still a clean unmolested car that needs paint and some issues sorted out. I was thinking of offering them 6K as it sits and flat bed it to my place. Does this sound fair/reasonable?

Any advice is appreciated. Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Well, I installed the charged battery and tried to start the Riv today and got some mixed results.

The good, the engine turned over nicely and would run when primed with starting fluid or gas. So it does run, but is loud, the exhaust has a hole somewhere.

The bad, I pulled the fuel line from the carb and there was no fuel. The gas gauge read E so I put some fresh in the tank but only about a gallon, only had a small can. I cranked a few more sessions but nothing. Pulled the carb line again still no fuel. I cranked it long enough I believe for the fuel to reach the carb. I didn't want to crank too long, didn't want to burn up the starter or run down the battery. It shouldn't take that long for fuel to reach the carb should it? My next move was to check the fuel filter between the pump and the carb. Then fuel pump I guess working my way back to the tank.

Even though the car wasn't running I did try to check the electrical accessories since I had a fresh battery, results not so good. The power seat controls on the door, only the center one seemed to do anything. The front and rear paddles, I assume for tilt?, did nothing. All 4 power window switches on the DR door did nothing. I assume all of these features should work with the key in the run position? Power antenna makes some noise but does not move, in the down position now. Also tried the blower switch on the heater control, nothing. Shouldn't the blower motor at least run? I plan to point out all these nonfunctioning items when negotiating a price, I'm guessing these May not be inexpensive or easy fixes.

One bright note, the headlights did open and close!

Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Jason,

Haven't pulled the trigger yet but if she runs and drives I will definitely make an offer. I know for sure it needs a paint job, it has a few small dings and paint touch ups. But the trim looked nice and straight and the interior looked almost flawless. Hopefully today or tomorrow I'll get it running.

The Burb wasn't so bad. I was looking for a mid 60's wagon, but that was back when wagons were just getting popular (and pricey). I stumbled across a nice Burb and it became the perfect family cruiser, especially when my boys were little. I'll post a pic if that's allowed.

Thanks, Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Tom,

You know thinking back every time I primed an engine with gas from a little squeeze bottle the car was outside. The last thing this area needs is another fire. Based on the small confines I'm thinking starting fluid used sparingly may be the ticket. With any luck a charged battery and a few cranks gets the job done. I'm dying to see it outside.

Thanks, Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Thanks Jim,

That's exactly what I was looking for. I'm going to try and get it started this weekend for a better inspection out in the light of day. The car does have a few dings in the body that I could see, but that was kind of expected with an elderly owner and a small garage. I couldn't find any signs of rust but the car has spent its whole life garaged in California. If I get it outside I'll post some pic's.

Thanks again, Dave

[New to the Riviera question]

Hello,

My name is Dave and I'm a first time poster, but a longtime (5 mo.) lurker. I must say I've learned lot without ever asking the first question, thank you all. Most of my experience has been with Chevys, a couple 60's impalas and recently mid 60's trucks, but had always wanted an early Riviera. A job relocation sort of forced me to sell my 66' Suburban, but also gives me the chance to get my first Riv. It was sad to let the Burb go but the job took me from the Midwest to sunny Southern California, so not all bad.

Following the advice of the forum I joined the Riviera owners club back in September, money well spent. I've been diligently looking ever since we got to California and finally think I've found a nice car for a decent price. There is one issue, the car hasn't ran in about a year so I thought before I tried to start it I'd ask you guys what you thought.

Here's the rundown. The car is a 66' two owner car, the current family bought it with approximately 3000 miles, it has almost 67,000 actual now. It's has what looks like the original white paint and a very nice original blue interior. Options as I can tell, strato bench seat, tilt wheel, power seat, power windows, power antenna, cornering lights. I checked as best I could for rust and could find none, it was a little tough the car is in a tiny garage and was hard to get around.

I really need to see the car in the light of day to check it better. The owner is a elderly woman who can no longer use the car. Her daughter said the last time it ran was about a year ago and she was the one who parked it where it is now. I tried to start it but the battery was dead so I brought it home and put it on the battery tender. This morning the tender green "storage" light is on so I believe the battery is good.

Before I try and start it, is there anything I should know specific to the Buick? My plan was simple, crank it over and if it didn't start add a little gas to the carb. I'd like to avoid the starting fluid but maybe if it doesn't fire? I'd hate to hurt the engine. If it's sat a year I'm sure the gas is old but where it's at I have no way to drain it. Any advice you have about getting this old girl running would be appreciated.

Thanks again, Dave