Pat Curran

I have never seen one in person but would sure like to see a picture of one.

The car was originally equipped from the factory with a 430 cubic inch V8 rated at 360 gross horsepower. It was fitted with a 4 barrel carb and dual exhaust. The TH400 3 speed automatic transmission was also standard equipment. Not sure if yours has been bored or not but obviously some modifications have been made to produce 400 horsepower. I don't have my shop manual handy so not sure about gap settings but 10W-30 oil always worked well in my stock engine. The 430 is a reliable motor with routine maintenance. Looking at your picture, the engine in your car is still a Buick unit at heart based on the distributor mounted in the front of the engine. Most GM engines had them mounted in the back but not this generation of Buick.

Thanks Randall. It is really a nice looking car and the white interior is great!

Hey Randall, what is the serial number of your car? Is it a late build? It is my understanding that the white deluxe interior wasn't available until mid production although the white standard interior was available from day one. Just curious. Thanks!

Just personal preference but a 71/72 front clip on a 73 would be the boattail that I would want. Unfortunately it is not a bolt on swap. I never cared for off-set license plates on a vehicle but that is just me.

There is nothing better than looking out at those pontoon fenders on a first generation Riviera while driving down the road!!

I have used a valve stem cap from a tire in the past. Visually you can’t tell the difference from the repros that are for sale.

Good catch Tom. The molding below the rear window is from a non vinyl roof car as well.

It is chrome plated and the recessed portions are painted black.

The GS badges may have been added but it is hard to say. The air cleaner lid was chrome from the factory but is MIA here. The brake pedal pad on the car indicates that it has the somewhat rare disc brake option but the picture of the undercarriage shows a finned aluminum brake drum. Most likely the pad was swapped out or the wrong one was installed at the factory? Overall it looks to be a fairly straight loaded car.

I have used graphite powder on my antennas as a lubricant over the years and it always worked well and never had a problem.

I lost count of how many mufflers were replaced on my 64 and 65 by Midas. They are famous for condensation and then rusting out. They lasted 2 to 3 years and I owned my 64 for 24 years and my 65 for 8 years. Do the math on that. I no longer have these cars but I still have my 71 Monte Carlo that was bought new. Midas has replaced the dual exhaust on this car numerous times in the 45+ years I have owned it. They replaced it last year with a complete stainless steel system and didn't charge me the difference for the upgrade. I asked them why after all these years did they install a stainless steel system and they told me they want to cut their losses and they hope to never see me again!

It is not unusual for prices to be modified during a model year either up or down.

I guess anything is possible with the right connections but as Ed stated, these were not offered officially by the factory and I as well doubt these are original. There are some very good upholsterers out there that are well qualified to do quality work but they don’t come cheap. Mileage doesn’t necessarily dictate when a car needs to have interior work, particularly with a convertible. If the top has been down in the sun frequently, the interior will prematurely fade and crack. Leather requires more care to keep it supple and some owners never touched it.

C/A is the finest publication of its kind. I have been a subscriber since day one. Yes it is a bit expensive due to no advertising but it is well worth it. You get what you pay for!

Really like your car. It is my favorite color combo for 65. Outstanding!!

Welcome to the world of vacuum headaches! Cool car though.

I like it!

Not to mention the frost finish between the flutes!!

It certainly is! The holes were pre-drilled from the factory but in every case where I have seen these in a car, none ever had screws in the holes. This thing fit snug and you really didn't need screws to hold it in place.

Just as an FYI, originally the top of the liner was not supported by any fastener and they began to sag in the middle. Buick issued a narrow metal sleeve about the same width as a door edge guard that fit over the top edge to help prevent it from sagging. It worked really well. You will see some first gens with this sleeve and others without. Either one is correct. I remember years ago when first gens were available at your local junk yard and I collected several of these sleeves when I found them. I don't have any left though.

I did a quartz conversion on my 69 and it was silent with no noise at all.

FYI, Hemmings posted an article on their blog today about DeWayne. It is a nice little write up.

I don't think the FWD in a Toronado makes that particular car more attractive, particularly if it needs to be restored. I like the Toronado (first generation at least), but on average, they bring less money than the Riviera.

I would rule out other possible reasons first before dropping the transmission unless it has been properly diagnosed that that is the source of your issue. What are they saying is the cause?