Pat Curran

Really nice looking 65 you have there. Black caps are the only way to go.

The devil is in the details. Hopefully a scammer won't do the same thing and put it on the internet as a car for sale.

Really nice looking example. It has the optional deluxe wheel covers with the spinners which are a pain to keep clean but sure look nice on the car. No vinyl roof which some prefer. Bucket seats and full console is nice as well. The triple white wall tires are a nice touch too. The base plate for the remote mirror switch is actually mounted straight and a number of them were not. Just a fine looking car!

I have dismantled many first gen Riviera's over the years and the moldings had a putty like substance applied around the mounting studs. If applying new material, you have to torque these down to get a tight seal but not to the point where you distort the moulding or the body. Use a liberal amount when re-instaling. You can cut away any excess that may ooze out from under the molding once done. Do yourself a favor and do a water test to make sure nothing is leaking into the trunk once you are done and the material has cured a bit. Although most leaks originate from under the lower rear window moulding, I have seen some leak from the moulding you are working with due to the material drying out from age.

It could very well be patina depending on where and how the car was stored. When I discovered my 69 back in the year 2000 with 6,700 miles it certainly had patina after 25+ years of storage but for those of you that know the car it cleaned up really well and it passed scrutiny with the BCA judges and took 2 first place awards at ROA meets. All it took was a good detailing to bring it back.

I like the 65 but would prefer to see it in person for a final opinion. The interior looks fresh and the wood veneer looks especially nice. With regard to the 64 custom.....Well at least it retains nailhead power.

This is a topic that will generate lots of interest. I don't think I have ever owned a GM car without some type of fit and finish issue. All my Riv's have had some with some more noticeable than others. The lower vinyl body side molding on my 97 left front fender was a good half inch below the one on the door and the car was never in an accident. The gap between the rear bumper and the body of the car on my 69 was not consistent from one end to the other. The picture of the remote mirror base that Paul submitted was a very common problem on many GM cars. You can straighten it out if you remove the panel but unfortunately, there will be an indentation on the vinyl from being like that for so many years that you have to leave it the way it is. Back in the day, there weren't many line workers that would sweat the details and depending on the speed of the line, there may have been no opportunity to do so. Unless it is something that really sticks out or adversely affects the operation of the car or a specific component, I say leave it the way it was built. It is after all, part of the cars character and history.

The cornering lights on my 69 were bright and projected a good beam of light. What I liked about it was the same lens was used for the side marker light when the headlights were on. It was a nice integrated unit. The cornering lights on my 97 were not as effective.

Good story Jason. Happy Holidays to all on this forum!

Jeeze Jason, you being a PA guy I thought you would give Yuengling the thumbs up for beer!! With regard to spark plugs, AC or NGK do it for me. I usually run NGK's in all my toys and they are absolutely the best for snowmobiles as well. I put the AC's in the cars before a BCA event to keep the judges at bay.

Check all the vacuum hoses from the headlights back to the headlight switch as well as the vacuum cannister and all junction points. If they are in the open position then you are losing vacuum somewhere in the system.

I wouldn't want to hit my head on that dash! Got to love the matching glove box door as well...............................

The guys above are right. The nailhead is not a small block Chevy and I would strongly recommend that you do business with someone who has experience with rebuilding nailhead's.

It could be a factory promo photo but hard to say for sure. The wheel covers are definitely 63 and there is no hood ornament which would indicate a 64. Cool photo though.

Another area to check is the decorative molding that goes between the window molding and the trunk lid. These are attached to the body by studs which are visible from inside the trunk. The putty like gaskets that are affixed to the nuts for weatherproofing dry out over time and allow water to leak into the trunk. The window is usually the culprit but check this molding as well.

The 66 GS is an interesting find. Loaded up but no power windows. The steering wheel is cracked but the precious horn bar is still intact. Amazing!

Thanks for the update Tom. I learn something all the time!

I think the thread is wrong. I have the showroom binder that shows all accessories and no overflow container is listed. Nothing is mentioned in the shop manual as well. I have seen aftermarket ones installed and if professionally done they look good. There is a list of upgrades that the BCA allows on older cars without penalty, but most are related to safety such as a two pot master cylinder. Depending on what level your friend wants to compete at, I would do a little more research. As Ed mentions above, it won't work with the stock radiator cap.

My 64 with the 425 and posi rear end would outperform my 65 with the 401 and standard rear end. Both had single carbs. I think the posi rear end is what really made the difference. It put a smile on my face every time I put my foot in it!

As Estate Wagon says above, a 64 was used at the beginning of the movie and he gave the car away. He then bought the 65 when he got to his new job. I just don't recall the color of the 64 though.

The 64's have the Carter AFB. I didn't realize the hole would be different. Oh well, it was a thought!

The chrome single snorkel air cleaner on the 66 GS looks to be the same dimensions as the air cleaner on a 64 Riv only it is painted black. Not 100% sure but it is worth checking out. If they are identical, you can always have it chromed.

I am not sure. Check out their web site for contact information. I am sure they will be able to answer your question.

Steele is a family run business in North Carolina and their products are first class. You can buy direct from them. They have hosted car shows at their facility and have provided tours of their manufacturing plant. If it isn't exact, they won't sell it. Made in the USA is the way to go!

In typical GM fashion, they coined the name "accudrive" for Buick in 1969 when they decided to tweak the camber for better handling. Period Buick advertisements called it "revolutionary." Those were the days!