Riviera63

Continuation

Made it back from the show yesterday safe and sound but, with a much dirtier car than when I left as we hit rain for a good share of the ride home. The Riviera was well represented at the show. Nine very beautiful examples were present. The first generation cars swept the awards. Ken Reed took the top spot with his gorgeous 1965 GS. Al Schmidt took second place with his stunning Coral Mist 1964 and my 1963 took third place. All of the cars there were fine examples and certainly could have won an award. I was very humbled and honored to have had my car chosen as one of 4 cars to be a part of a program held the night before the show. The cars were chosen because of their special place in automotive design history. The cars chosen were: 1902 Haynes-Apperson Runabout, 1922 Duesenberg Model A, 1953 Chevrolet Corvette and 1963 Buick Riviera. This was a well run, wonderful show held in a great venue. The many people that ran the show should be commended on the job they did. They were welcoming, friendly and raising money for a great cause. Bill

The car is clean and ready to roll. Leaving at 5:30 tomorrow morning for the Des Moines Concours d'Elegance with my brother. Looking forward to reconnecting with Ken Reed. He will have 2 of his beautiful Rivieras there as well. Bill

One has been found.

I will second Jan on this. I have one of Tom's boxes in my car. An improvement I made that I do not regret. Bill

I agree with Tom and have seen both blue and green. I found my washer bottle at an antique store several years ago. It was all original including the green concentrated fluid which is still in it. The original Opti-Kleen label was a little rough so I took that off and replaced it with the Buick version of the washer bottle label. I personally like the green as it less common. Bill

I had a similar problem 2 years ago. My car would start fine multiple times and then for no reason I would go to start it and nothing. Completely dead. The first couple of times I put the battery charger on it thinking I had left a light on or not turned the key completely off and the next time it would start. I took the battery to be tested and it tested good. I swapped out the ignition switch and all was good. A month later my brother and I took my car to a BCA event in Saint Louis. All was good until we stopped at my mother's house to see her and let my brother off to pick up his truck. When I came out to drive home, completely dead. I thought at that time it has to be the battery. We were fortunate to be able to find a battery on a Sunday. That same battery is still in the car and no problems since. I asked the shop where I have my car worked on about this. They said that they have seen this happen at the shop with increasing frequency. The battery tests good but, the battery is bad and is the culprit. May or may not be your problem but, worth a try. Bill

Thank you John.

Thank you Jim.

Thank you Steve. No rush, because I am not sure I am going to do the cut outs. When you have some time if you could take some measurements that would be great. I am sure there are others that would be interested as well. Bill

Thank you Jan.

The coolant decal in my engine compartment needs replacing. I am not sure the one that I have is the correct one. I have found 2 different decals. Is either of them correct? Thanks for any help. BIll

I understand that. That looks to me to be the area I have circled. Yes or no? Two cuts have to be made. One horizontal and one vertical. At right angles to which edge? How many inches down? How many inches left and right? Need more specifics. Bill

Hi Tom, Thanks for that. Would the cut out be where I have circled on the picture? Does your car have the original so that I could see what it looks like? Or if someone else could share a picture of what the original cutout(s) looked like that would be great. Bill

Thank you. I never have driven the car without it. I am sure it is there for a reason. It is very inexpensive . Only $39.50 with free shipping from CARS, Inc. Old Buick Parts. https://www.ebay.com/itm/182540406515?fits=Year%3A1963|Model%3ARiviera&hash=item2a80418ef3:g:cj8AAOSwW7FdPXCN&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0ILuTXYwqSmFc%2FLGGSRCzYFPDjvoJn83ZrZTIYZqbEhBIJYtw3sN38CBj8IegN%2BK%2FonwmlvjfyiseRwsVbO%2BNuW10qQRN30VXmyWYyUH%2B8QsxZaQ4Si8j70bbjc0RelnDBcqUUzb%2BOEf89WPEVCKEw8QLexUcTUVLFEoCD%2FK%2BMuspeCaVmCS4PcjOLOon2ObL8ky9I9OaxCzWIve9NBpCpXyue1qF69JI4Zo%2FF5THyebY8gMX0Qpp4pdrwHLrqRR6vIPdBsl9uVI%2BWYpISOefcM%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6rGx6jKYg Bill

Just picked up the Riviera from the body shop this morning. I had the underside of the hood repainted and the driver's fender repainted as well. Very happy with the results. I take my car to a young man in a small town 20 miles south of me which coincidentally was where I used to teach. I had 3 of his cousins as students. Young is relative of course, as I am old enough where everyone seems young. He was only in his 20's when I first went to him 4 or 5 years ago. Very conscientious and he likes working on the vintage cars. I also had new hood insulation put in and put in correctly this time around. Thanks Tom. Bill

Thanks Tom.

Hi Chuck, I was thinking of you as replied to his question. I will try to see if I can figure out a way to get inside the trunk lids I have to see if the clip is inside one of them. Probably will have to just cut the letter area out and look. Bill

Good timing for this thread. I have my car in the body shop to have the underside of my hood repainted. I got tired of the paint flaking off and having to scrape and repaint. They will be replacing the hood insulation. My old insulation was installed as Rockable's was with the hard side against the hood. I was thinking when I looked at the replacement pieces that it would make more sense and look better to have the hard side down but was not sure how well the other side would stick. What adhesive would one use to install the new insulation? Can you use a regular spray adhesive or do you need to use something else because of the heat that is generated under the hood? Thanks. Bill

Matt, The clips go in from the front/outside. There should be holes. Bill

Matt, Non-AC cars did not have a fan shroud. Bill

Matt, The clips go into the holes on the trunk lid. You push the studs of the letters into the clips once they are in the trunk lid. No need for adhesive. If you need clips I have a few. If you need a whole set James at Bestoffercounts sells them on E-bay. As we had discussed before the triangular door bumpers are held in place by 2 screws that are accessed/installed from inside the door. You have the screws with the bumpers I sent you. Bill

UPDATED I have purchased two 1963 Rivieras and an assortment of miscellaneous parts. I will list some things here but, if there is something specific you are looking for PM me and I will see if I have what you are looking for. Thanks. 1.) 10 very nice right hand thread lug nuts 3.) Parking brake adjustment bracket and parking brake spring pin 4.) SOLD-2-1963 & 1964(?) standard interior rear quarter panel stainless trim pieces, enough for one side, can be used on either side 59.) 1965 lower front bumper support bar 68.) Console heater air hose spring clamps 89.) Suction Throttle Valve bracket with attaching hardware 95.) 1965 front bumper filler panel/lower tie panel 105.) SOLD-Blower motor-AC car-tested working 112.) 1965 Headlight Switch 119.) Upper cowl panel 134.) Blower motor to firewall ground wire 138.) 1965 speedometer cable with housing and connectors 141.) Master cylinder with screw on cap 144.) Air distribution duct that connects to evaporator 146.) 1965 Brake booster 148.) Throttle operating lever with throttle return spring 155.) Passenger's door long stainless beltline trim molding 156.) Heater box with gasket 161.) Power Steering gear box 167.) 1963 left side dash access panel 172.) SOLD-Pair very nice 1963-1965 upper back seat side filler panels 174.) 1963-1965 deluxe interior door armrest pads-have 2-will fit either side 177.) Passenger side front console kick panel extension 178.) Horn bracket with attaching hardware-for horn(s) behind grill 183.) 1963 fuse box bracket 186.) Steering column support brackets 188.) 1965 trunk wiring harness 202.) 1963-1964 Vacuum trunk release actuator-tested-working 212.) 1963 heater/AC switch dash cover plate 216.) Driver's side lower dash trim 218.) Front seat inner side chrome trim pieces 220.) Console side carpet aluminum trim pieces-passenger and driver 223.) Passenger side upper dash trim 224.) Passenger side lower dash trim 228.) Trunk lid hinge bolts 230.) Dash clock mounting bracket 231.) Firewall vacuum diaphragm mounting bracket and attaching hardware 232.) SOLD-Console/sail panel courtesy light bezels 233.) Pair vent window cranks, plastic washers and attaching clips 234.) Deluxe interior passenger's side armrest end caps with attaching screws 236.) Driver's side upper dash trim 240.) SOLD-Passenger seat stop lanyard and hardware 249.) SOLD-Miscellaneous 4-way power seat pieces 250.) SOLD-Set of 4 stainless headlight retainer rings 256.) Passenger outside A-pillar stainless trim molding 257.) Driver's outside A-pillar stainless trim molding 261.) Power steering pump brackets 273.) 1963 1964 gauge cluster face with lenses 275.) SOLD-Used AC fuel pumps-have 2 280.) 1965 headlight switch complete with bezel, stem and knob 284.) Delco Remy alternator 1100668 date code 4 A 16 285.) Delco Remy alternator 1100700 date code 8 M 18 286.) 1964 tail light lens center emblem-have 2 290.) Door power window wiring conduit 291.) Pair 1963 sun visor boards 293.) Left outside lower back window trim molding 294.) Right outside lower back window trim molding 295.) Left outside back window side & top trim molding 296.) 1963 front console ash tray 297.) Parking brake assembly with switch 303.) Passenger side front wheel opening molding 310.) Interior door handle opening mechanism-driver's side door rear or passenger door front 312.) 1963 Neutral safety switch 314.) Spark plug wire loom bracket 315.) Console shifter dust shield 316.) SOLD-Set of 4 headlight retainer rings 319.) Driver's LH front power window motor 320.) SOLD-Passenger rear power window regulator 321.) SOLD-Passenger rear power window motor 324.) Door opener mechanism passenger rear (deluxe interior)/driver front (deluxe and standard interior) 325.) Tail light housings passenger and driver's side 327.) Driver's side vent window beltline molding 329.) 1963 fuel gauge 330.) 1963-1964 tan brake pedal 331.) 1963 right vent control cable non-AC 332.) 1963 left vent control cable non-AC 333.) 1963 rear heat control cable 334.) 1963 defroster control cable 336.) SOLD-Door skin nuts and T-bolts 337.) SOLD-Dash speed minder knob 340.) 4-blade fan with spacer and bolts 341.) Trunk lock catch assembly with attaching hardware 342.) SOLD-Bucket seat track front hold down brackets 343.) 1963 Metal brake booster line with check valve 344.) SOLD-Driver's door long beltline molding 345.) Rear console courtesy light assembly 346.) Rear quarter window weatherstrip stainless steel leading edge molding 347.) 1963-1964 air cleaner 348.) Upper radiator hold down bracket non-AC car 349.) Deluxe interior armrest end caps-for cars with manual windows 350.)SOLD-Console compartment lid hinge 351.) Console front courtesy light bezel mounting brackets with hardware 352.)SOLD-Turn signal switch for tilt wheel and cornering lights 353.) Driver's door vent window beltline molding 354.) Passenger door vent window beltline molding 355.) 1963 heater assembly lens non-AC car

Here are fan clutch brands and numbers that I have gleaned off of the Forum through the years as fitting our 1st generation cars: Imperial 215049, NAPA 217301 and Murray 2705. Bill

Hi, I have someone that is in need of correct window felts for his 1963. When I went through this I had a contact name and number but, he has since left the company. I know others since then have contacted Repops and talked to someone else. Would anyone happen to have that contact name and number please? Thanks. Bill