Pat Curran

As a charter member I have seen the ROA grow and prosper since its inception. I have every issue of the newsletters and Riviews and it is interesting to compare the original typed by hand and photocopied newsletters to the publication that we have today. I have been a member of other clubs over the years and enjoyed the publications that were distributed but the Riview stands out over the others. The enthusiastic membership makes a big difference and Ray Knott as well as the current and former board of director members deserve a big hand. Collectively, it has enabled us to "share the pride" which was and still is the mission of the ROA.

Sorry to hear this. I could see some burned out hulks of classic cars on the news coverage and hopefully Steve had good insurance and can find another Riviera.

FYI, Chevy offered two styles of this wheel cover but they are very close in appearance. The Corvette's had a recessed plastic emblem in the center cap just like the Riviera. There is another Chevy version where the emblem is not recessed and the emblem is a flush mounted aluminum piece that was glued on. It was standard on the 1972 Monte Carlo Custom which was a one year only offering and also optional on other Chevy's.

My engine made smoke and after a few hours of running it in a closed room, you couldn’t find the door!!

I love my American Flyer that was a Christmas present from my dad back in 1958! Still have it!

Seafoam, I was thinking the same thing. The Riviera was built to compete with the Thunderbird but the T'bird came standard with what I consider a deluxe interior. But, like what has been stated above, the base price gets customers in the showroom and then the sales pitches begin to unfold. The common phrase in the car business is that there is a butt for every seat. Oldsmobile took the same approach with the Toronado. They had a deluxe interior option as well and many were sold that way. The Strato Bench was used across all GM brands back in the day and if you wanted a bench seat, it was certainly the way to go. Beginning in 1967, it was even available on the Chevy Caprice and Impala Super Sport and you really don't see many of those around today or even when they were new.

For comparison purposes, look at the 9,000 mile original 67 that RK Motors in Charlotte has on their website. They have had this car a while now. It also has the standard interior but with buckets and a console. I think the trunk and engine compartment in the gray one looks much nicer than the one at RK.

I’m not 100% sure about the red on the road wheel but the wire wheel covers that were on S/R’s had red backgrounds.

Whoever wrote the description for the 65 needs to be educated on what a factory restored car really is.

They have been listed in past issues of the Riview. The 69 Camaro canisters will also fit. The only difference is one of the vacuum nipples is curved vs. straight but once the hose is on you can’t tell the difference.

Interior illumination only.

The lens is ribbed and I don’t believe it was used on any other GM car other than the 69 and 70 Riviera. Certainly not an easy part to find. Reproductions are not being made.

I have had several GM cars with this option but I have never owned a boat tail and they had the unit mounted in back so you could see it in your mirror. Maybe someone with a boat tail can chime in.

It is the fiber optic monitor for the tail lights. Note the ones on the tops of the fenders as well.

Interesting car. Do you leave as is or restore it? You are right Tom, some bad info about GS history in general but this car looks to be well documented. Note how the lower right front fender molding doesn't line up with the door. I know this has been discussed on this forum in the past but at least GM was consistent!! This is a nice find.

Ed, I did the same thing as well. Took the glove box lock out and brought it to an old time locksmith shop. I had the key in no time. I had bought a complete 64 parts car back in 1991 that was sitting behind a garage for more than 20 years and had it brought home on a flat bed. It was a restoration project that was started by the previous owner and was never finished. He passed away and I bought it from the family who really didn't know much about the car. I had a huge smile on my face after I opened the trunk. It was full of NOS exterior trim still in the packaging that was purchased for the restoration. It was like Christmas!

Check out this small emblem GS that was a special order color by a Buick dealer. He wanted a Cadillac color and he placed this car in his showroom to attract people to come in. It was featured in the Buick Bugle a year or two ago and has been touring the show circuit since the family restored it. Absolutely awesome!

You certainly don't want to be on a lower level or below grade to avoid potential flooding. I wouldn't want to be on the very top either. Depending on how many levels there are, a floor or two from the top would be my choice and I would park as close to the center of the structure as I could. I would also avoid parking near stairwells and elevator shafts.

Pulling the door skins is a relatively easy job as they are bolted on. Removing them is the best way to service any of the mechanics inside the door. You should also be able to see where the Riviera script was mounted on the fenders by removing the access panel and looking inside. These are mounted with speed nuts and can be installed without removing the fender. You can purchase body and shop manuals from most of the literature vendors that advertise on the internet and Hemmings. They will be invaluable.

Back in the 80"s I almost bought a set of white NOS mats for my 64 Diplomat Blue with White deluxe vinyl interior. Marc Smiley had them advertised at Classic Buick's but I never saw the mats in person. I don't recall if they were from a 63 or 64 but obviously they would fit. I thought they would look stunning with a white interior but a pain to keep clean so I never went through with the purchase.

Ed, I am not sure where the engraving was done and I wasn't implying that the actual dealer did the engraving but I believe they installed it. I have seen 2 different styles over the years with some consistency. I have seen some that were actually engraved and I have seen some that look like a silkscreen with black letters. I have seen both examples on original owner cars and I have owned several myself with both types. A form (card) was included to be filled out (I have an original blank card in my collection). I will have to dig it out to see where it is mailed to or what the dealer instructions are.

These were engraved and installed by the dealer at the time of delivery. It is possible that this car remained on the lot after the new models came out.

The grain looks close to the one offered by GM in the 60's and early 70's. The bubbles under the vinyl would be a concern though. You never know what you are dealing with until you get a look under it.

It can be difficult to find a complete set in nice shape at a reasonable price. The emblems can be swapped out so don't be too concerned with that. If you find a set for a 64, the black finish between the turbine vanes can be removed very easily as well.

Not 100% sure but I believe these are from a Skylark or Special, maybe 1964? If so, they are 14" and will not fit the Riviera which is 15".