[1968 Riviera GS - begin therapy -]

I once bought a stalled 64 restoration project that had sat next to a garage for 20 years for $250 in 1991.  It was beyond saving.  I opened the trunk when I got it home to find it full of NOS parts!  

[Pinstripe 65 Riviera panels]

Put the BCA judges to the test!!

[1968 Riviera GS - begin therapy -]

3 hours ago, RIVNIK said:

  It would be no fun if it didn't have a few gremlins to eff with. What a great find!  That car is a museum of under dash auto memorabilia! The 8track alone is a prize, & to capture that 60's feel you need to have tissues close at hand, of course. The Delco must be a reverb unit, but Im sure someone here knows for sure.    anyhoo, congrats & welcome to the club.                                                      p.s. looks like there's still room for a triple gauge cluster under there                                                            

That is actually the stereo unit but it did not include  a reverb feature.

[Question for '70 Riviera owners]

Based on the sales literature and my own observations when these cars were new, if the car had the optional side molding, it was painted the same color as the car.  The outline of the molding had a chrome finish however.  The chrome finish is also under the paint and it is not unusual to see examples today with the paint removed to expose the chrome.

[Question for '70 Riviera owners]

The fender skirts were standard equipment but there were two styles to chose from, the full skirt or the mini skirt.  The sweep spear side molding was optional however.

[FOR SALE `65 Buick "Pleasure Profile" Options Booklet]

If I still had my 65 I would be placing my order.  I think the price is more than reasonable.  Nice piece Tom.

[Wheel Covers Images 1973]

Those wheel covers are correct for 1971-1972.  Not sure about 1973.  They were optional at the time.  They are not correct for 1970 or earlier.  Those were similar in appearance but of a different design.  BTW, the white walls look great!

[Rivieras and Riviera parts for sale on local Craigslist, eBay, etc.]

This car was originally silver.  When was the last time you saw a silver 1970?

[Power Door Locks available in 64 Riviera??]

Power door locks were not available on the first generation cars.

['65 trim removal question]

It has been many years since I removed them but I think there are nuts on the back of the mounting studs that must be removed first.  

[U.S. Classic Car Prices]

The market can and will fluctuate as we all know, but what is it with first generation Bronco's and Scouts?  Some Bronco's have reached 6 digits!  

 

[65 Riv interior near Complete]

13 hours ago, Kevrev said:

Hi Guys,

 

Finally nearing completion and ready for Club Reg in Australia

You have an early production example based on the horn bar if it is original to the car.

[Tire age. What is too old when buying new tires?]

15 hours ago, gungeey said:

A project  is at it's last steps to road ready, ...since the tires were 20 years old got 4 new ones even though by eye the 20 year old ones looked fine on the outside. Dismounted they looked fine on the inside, too. Was so tempted to just put the old ones back on again.

New tire sidewalls are so thin now...I can feel my finger through the rubber regardless of brand michelin pirelli, continental all the same.

 

Ya just don't know. I will say this, apparantly there's not only a chip shortage for cars there's a RUBBER SHORTAGE right around the corner. Steve

I just put a set of tires on my 2017 Regal GS a couple of weeks ago and I have been doing business with the owner of this store for a number of years now.  He asked me how the tires were on my other cars and if I needed some, I should get them now.  He has been told to expect a shortage next year and he was not trying to make an extra buck.

 

I think the rubber compound formulas have evolved over the years but I agree with Steve, they aren't as good as they used to be.  The sidewalls on my GMC Sierra were dry rotted in 4 years time.  Now in comparison, I have a set of Michelins on my 1971 Monte Carlo that have been on the car since 1977!  (I am expecting comments any time now).  There are no signs of dry rot inside or outside the tires and no flat spots at all.  They ride as good as the day I put them on.  Now granted, I don't go 80 miles an hour down the highway with them even though the big block is begging for more throttle, but for the occasional local cruise night or cars N' coffee, they seem to work well.  If I used the car more often I would definitely replace the tires but I doubt I could get the same quality.

 

[Rivieras and Riviera parts for sale on local Craigslist, eBay, etc.]

9 hours ago, MasonLucas said:

1965 Buick Riviera Coupe Blue RWD Automatic Gran Sport On Ebay

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274890466802?

 

 

The seller may call it blue but this car is turquoise mist.  A great color IMO. 

[1965 Riviera Mecum Auction $132K]

9 hours ago, gungeey said:

 

As long as you don't tell me you found pocket change under the seat LOL

Also, that car was a lady

She most definitely was!!

[1965 Riviera Mecum Auction $132K]

19 hours ago, gungeey said:

 

Those combs look a lot more efficient than a set of popsicle sticks

I am very happy using my popsicle stick that you gave me when I bought your 65 years back.  I sold the car without the popsicle stick though.

[63 front bucket question]

As an FYI, GM began the use of seat back latches as standard equipment with the 1967 model year.  I believe they were federally mandated.

[Wanted to Buy - Decent hood for '64 Riviera]

The leading edge of the hood is a common place for rust but I have seen some total rust buckets with perfect hoods!

The 1965 may interchange but I have never tried it.  The leading lower edge molding for the 63 and 64 is chrome and the 65 is body color but I think they can be swapped out but again, I have never tried it.

[Wanted to Buy - Decent hood for '64 Riviera]

I believe mounting holes for the hood spear are different for the 63/64?

['64 Riv. trunk emblem clips?]

On 5/12/2020 at 10:42 AM, RivNut said:

One thing I've found is that a lot of Ebay sellers are trying to sell 65 emblems claiming they will fit a 64.  One guy said, "just bend it to fit." When I asked him when the last time he had successfully bent die cast, he just hung up on me. Moral of the story : a lot of Ebay sellers don't really know what they're doing.

Some of them are just looking to make a buck with no knowledge of what they are selling.

[1973 Not A Boattail?]

19 hours ago, Wayne R said:

Any  Buick members that have  never owned or read,--70years of Buick by George H Dammann--

its a wonderful book, so i have included a few photos of  George's book,---yes im with others

here---its a boat tail--. and a reminder this was written  when boat tail was released.

Also page 347 George listed the 73  with   rear boat tail design.

I have a complete collection of George Dammann's books.  Collectors have posted wanted adds for his books in some publications the last few years.  I'm keeping mine.

[Rivieras and Riviera parts for sale on local Craigslist, eBay, etc.]

5 hours ago, 1965rivgs said:

  Shoulder harnesses...

Tom

Now you don't see those too often.  Very rare option indeed.

[65 Riviera GS wheelcovers]

55 minutes ago, 1965rivgs said:

Hi Pat,

  I have never seen this hubcap with a Wildcat emblem....although it could be easily done.

  Interestingly enough, I have factory literature which displays a wire wheel hubcap for the Wildcat with a Wildcat emblem but I have never seen one in the field. Every Wildcat I have ever inspected with wire wheel hubcaps has the red, white and blue trishield emblem in the hubcaps...and I have been looking for several decades. I dont think Buick ever manufactured a wire wheel hubcap with the Wildcat emblem...I hope I`m wrong.

Tom

I have never seen one either Tom.  Thanks for the quick reply.

 

Pat

[65 Riviera GS wheelcovers]

13 hours ago, 1965rivgs said:

Hi Steve,

  These wheel covers were standard on the '65 Gran Sport but were available in the accessories catalog thru Buick parts...so technically, they can be considered a "correct accessory" on any '65. I once came across a very original '65 for which the owners had original paperwork from the dealer which included mention of installing these caps.

  Also, the '66 parts books list these caps as the "first type" Riv GS hubcaps...I've never come across a '66 with these hubcaps but I do have a period pic which appears to be a '66 dealer introduction which clearly shows these hubcaps on a new '66 Riv.

  I also have an NOS hubcap which has the '66 part number, which is different from the '65 part number, on the box.

Tom

 

 

Just curious Tom, If they were listed in the accessory catalog in 1965, could you get one for a Wildcat with the correct emblem?  Thanks.

 

Pat

[How much is too much?]

5 hours ago, kblawrence67 said:

Thanks for the feedback, all.

I think I’m going to hold off.  What I really want is a blue 68’ that’s just ready to drive, but saw the 69’ and got a little liquored on the thought of buying that.

Are you talking about the 69 that is on BaT right now?