Riviera63

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.) 2-1963 & 1964(?) standard interior rear quarter panel stainless trim pieces, enough for one side, can be used on either side 54.) 1965 console shifter bezel and shifter guide 59.) 1965 lower front bumper support bar 68.) Console heater/AC air spring hose clamps 89.) Suction Throttle Valve bracket with attaching hardware 95.) 1965 front bumper filler panel/lower tie panel 105.) Blower motor-AC car-tested working 112.) 1965 Headlight Switch 118.) Driver's door long stainless beltline trim molding 119.) Upper cowl panel 122.) AC receiver/dehydrator brackets, clamps and attaching hardware 130.) SOLD-4 access panel attaching clips-2 needed per panel 134.) Blower motor to firewall ground wire 136.) 1963 dash pad defroster grill with attaching hardware 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-have 2 171.) 1963-1965 middle lower rear seat filler panel 172.) Pair very nice 1963-1965 upper back seat side filler panels 173.) Rear quarter window leading edge weatherstrip stainless trim molding-will fit either side 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 180.) Passenger deluxe interior armrest power window switch bezel 182.) SOLD-Steering column ribbed aluminum trim for non-tilt wheel 183.) 1963 fuse box bracket 186.) Steering column support brackets 188.) 1965 trunk wiring harness 193.) 1963-1964 radio knobs 194.) 1963-1964 headlight switch knob, stem and bezels 198.) Passenger vent window beltline stainless trim molding 199.) Driver vent window beltline stainless trim molding 200.) SOLD-Rear quarter stainless trim molding-will fit either side 202.) 1963-1964 Vacuum trunk release actuator-tested-working 203.) 1963-1965 4-way power seat-under seat wire harness-deluxe interior 207.) SOLD-Power window wiring harness-passenger door-deluxe interior (work for standard interior?) 209.) 1963 Glovebox door script 212.) 1963 heater/AC switch dash cover plate 213.) SOLD-1963 glovebox light and lens 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 221.) Driver's side 2 piece dash face aluminum-non AC car 222.) SOLD- Shifter black plastic dust shield 223.) Passenger side upper dash trim 224.) Passenger side lower dash trim 226.) Console courtesy light mounting brackets and attaching hardware 228.) Trunk lid hinge bolts 230.) Dash clock mounting bracket 231.) Firewall vacuum diaphragm mounting bracket and attaching hardware 232.) Console/sail panel courtesy light bezels-have 2 pairs 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.) Passenger seat stop lanyard and hardware 246.) 1963 firewall to trunk ribbon wire harness-tested 248.) 4-way power seat slave track with 4 delrin glides 249.) Miscellaneous 4-way power seat pieces 250.) Set of 4 stainless headlight retainer rings 252.) Trunk lid catch with attaching hardware 256.) Passenger outside A-pillar stainless trim molding 257.) Driver's outside A-pillar stainless trim molding 259.) SOLD-Driver's side rear quarter power window switch wiring harness 260.) SOLD-Passenger's side rear quarter power window switch wiring harness 261.) Power steering pump brackets 264.) SOLD-Passenger's side rear wheel opening molding 265.) SOLD-Rear power window switches ribbon wiring harness-this is the ribbon harness that goes from the firewall to the rear switch harnesses 266.) Speedometer speed minder knob 267.) SOLD-Deluxe interior armrest to door panel attaching hardware-have 2 sets 272.) Rear console courtesy light assembly 273.) 1963 1964 gauge cluster face with lenses 275.) Used AC fuel pumps-have 2 280.) 1965 headlight switch complete with bezel, stem and knob 283.) SOLD-Deluxe interior lower door trim spears 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 2 288.) 1963 tail light lens center emblem 289.) SOLD-Upper rear seat hold down screw/washers 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 298.) SOLD-63 fuel/gas gauge 299.) SOLD-Passenger rear quarter power window motor & regulator 300.) SOLD-Driver rear quarter power window motor & regulator 301.) Console compartment lid with good black vinyl 302.) Driver's side rear wheel opening molding 303.) Passenger side front wheel opening molding 304.) 1965 temperature & defroster cables 305.) SOLD-1963 temperature control cable 306.) 1963 air control cable 307.) SOLD-1963 rear seat speaker grill 308.) SOLD-Console compartment lid hinge 309.) 1963 front console ashtray assembly 310.) Interior door handle opening mechanism-driver's side door rear or passenger door front

There was only a $20 difference between the two. When I initially talked to the salesman, he talked about how the Auburn Premiums were designed to have a tread pattern and look of tires of that time period. He also said if you chose the DB 1 all the lettering was removed from the sidewall. It is completely smooth. If you go to the website you can zoom in on the tire and see this. Bill

Eric, My brother-in-law and I were on the way to the 2014 ROA Meet in Colorado Springs from Wisconsin and he noticed the car acting squirrelly on the highway. He diagnosed it as a bad track bar bushing. Right or wrong we removed mine and replaced the bushing in my 63 while it sat parked in the garage of a friend's house in Denver, CO. I don't remember needing any special tools. No problems since. Bill

Bit the bullet and ordered a set of 4 Auburn Premiums from Diamondback. Cost spread over 7-8 years makes me feel better as does the anticipation of whitewalls that actually stay white. I ordered 225/75's with a 3/4" whitewall. The whitewall width on my current Hankook's is 5/8" and so is my Nexen spare. I realize that the whitewall of the day may have been wider. I prefer the narrower whitewall just as I prefer the larger tires. In my opinion the cars of that era were "under tired" and look better with wider and larger tires as compared to the tires of the day. The shipping was less than they had estimated when I first called and they said 2 1/2 weeks to my door. Bill

To put one in a 63 you will have do do some fabrication on the seat frame. The seat frame was not set up to accept a center armrest as these were not an option in 63 like they were in 64 and 65. You could opt to get a seat bottom from a 64 or 65. Hopefully, you got all of the necessary pieces. You will need to replace the divider between the seat bottoms with one for an armrest. You will also need to replace the filler panel underneath the speaker. The filler panel for a center armrest is shorter than the one you have now. Bill

Ray's is Tony's from Australia I believe. Tom's anti-sway has no bushings. Bill

Ask and ye shall receive. Before I go any further I just want to say that I am not claiming the things I have done to my car and the items installed are the best things you can do or the best items you can buy, they are not the only things you can do or that everyone should do them to their car. I am simply reporting what I have done and my impressions. No more, no less. I have one of Tom's rear sway bars on my car. I like it. It tucks up nicely between the rear axle and the muffler where it is not noticeable. With that and a host of other things that I have done have improved a car which was a pretty nice handling and driving car into a really great handling and driving car. Along with Tom's rear sway bar I have replaced the track bar bushings (this probably made the most noticeable improvement of any of them), brake reaction rod bushings, Bilstein shocks (which stiffened the ride somewhat and I like that), beefier front sway bar and one of Tom T's quick ratio steering boxes. I also found an old school alignment shop and had them realign with as much positive caster as they could get. Was all of this necessary? No. Was all of this overkill? Probably but, I do not regret doing any of it. I did not aspire to turn my car into a sports car but, merely to make it as pleasurable a driving car as I could make it for me. One thing I have noticed is that I use my brakes a lot less than I used to. A very noticeable difference in handling on corners and curves. I enjoyed driving my car before. I love driving my car now. Bill

I contacted Diamondback and discussed the whitewall brown spot issue with them. They claim as Bloo said, that they they vulcanize the whitewall to the tire and do add a barrier to prevent the leaching that would brown the whitewall. They back their tire with a 4 year warranty against this and any other issues that might arise. The salesperson was very helpful and polite. I am very seriously considering buying their Auburn premium whitewalls. Any width I want up to 3". I thought the shipping quote was very reasonable and they do not charge sales tax which helps offset the cost of shipping. They said it would be 3 weeks from the time the order is placed to the tires being on my doorstep. Not cheap by any means but, that brown spotting on the whitewalls just drives me crazy. I spend too much time on my car getting it to look nice and then have crappy looking tires. Bill

I just saw 3 NOS spinners for sale on e-bay. They are for the early 63 wire wheel covers that utilize the 3/6 bolt pattern, not the later 4/8 covers. They are pricey but, with the cost of rechroming now and I am guessing the rarity of these early ones, maybe not so bad. Bill https://www.ebay.com/itm/225515518984?fits=Year%3A1963|Model%3ARiviera&epid=1653990380&hash=item3481c5bc08:g:W8oAAOSwiuVkL1~k&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0KEzpFU4GWBWQ5c6NiFu5rWUzQNfHfXfaUTyXaZiCd5a6F%2BoD%2B4duVLtg0cSfh5PKarvIzOSHdkVjQrzsNy7XxZUo5oOUEqFhTFW%2FTHX56oORW77ydLrxFIVPz7lkSzAselTRxFTkfeFx2YPQ4YwIBL5E3p3Yks3lmvVj1SskwWi5JFCX8LuSqVphuhHkgTXdKJqmIXA264XJNhqxm%2BzAQ0%2BAemIMq0zkgQKYuL626SQ0oI%2FtQ9lXrPQmOR%2Btt2CAOliva9jgt3iHmJ%2BWa5k8tw%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR-C62qzvYQ

Kev, Thank you for posting this with the link. I found it very helpful and informative. I would hazard a guess that this is the issue I have had and am still having with my tires. I may have to rethink getting different tires as this may be a problem that one cannot escape. Has anyone ever had this problem with the Diamondback tires? Bill

I feel I have to chime in on this as getting a good set of whitewalls for my car has been problematic. I bought a new set of tires for my car when I first bought it in 2014. I ran those whitewalls for 7 years and heeded the age warning and decided to buy a new set of tires. Simple right? In 2021 on advice found here I bought a set of Venezia Classic 787 tires on line. When they were installed I noticed that 3 of the tires had brown spots on the whitewalls. This was not readily visible as they had the protective blue coating on them. I called the seller about this and they basically told me to pound sand as I had gone past the 45 day return period. I delayed getting them on as I had had shoulder surgery. The tires rode beautifully but, the brown spots bothered me. I have found out that these brown spots are caused by a defective barrier layer between the inner layer of the tire and the whitewall. No amount of scrubbing or application of cleaning concoctions will remove these stains. I sold those tires and thought I would play it smart and buy the tires locally so that it there was a defective tire I could exchange it easily. I went with the Hankooks this time. These tires like the Venezia's ride beautifully. I encountered the same problem with the whitewalls as I did before. I have taken off and had 8 tires replaced under warranty because of this problem. I finally gave up because it was just becoming ridiculous. I now have a decision to make. I can just leave them and put up with the brown spots or try to play Russian Roulette with new tires. It seems as if this problem is with tires manufactured outside the USA. I know Cooper made whitewalls but, they did not make the size I wanted. I searched for them recently and it seems that even they do not make them anymore. It seems that my only other choice is to go with the Diamondbacks which entails a huge cash outlay. I know this seems like a trivial problem but, I work too hard to make my car look and be the best it can be and then have crappy looking tires. Suggestions anyone? Bill

I saw a tip on this forum posted by one of the members that he used a paint can opener to remove the drip rail. I have used this method and it worked very well. You do have to be careful and pay attention as has been mentioned as it is very easy to damage. The WD-40 idea seems like a good thing that will make this go more smoothly. Bill

I also have had my original radiator recored. Since it is an AC car it has the fan shroud and 5 blade fan with a clutch. I have taken many long trips in the summer and have never had an overheating problem. Bill

Wow. I am feeling I should apologize or at least feel bad about exercising such poor judgement in buying these but, I won't. I am one of I am sure many that do not have the funds and/or desire to do a full restoration on their car. Because of this, it is my/our cross to bear that we have to resort to using these "inferior" parts. As much as their seems to be a bias against "NOS" parts in some people's minds no one will ever convince me that in most cases (not all) that a 60 year old "unused" part is not preferable to a 60 year old "used" part. My car, my way. Your car, your way. Neither one better than the other, just different. Bill

I don't know........WD-40 makes a pretty strong case for its self.

My 1963 Pontiac Tempests used molded 90 Degree heater hoses 5/8" and 3/4". They were available through NAPA. 5/8" is number 9812. 3/4" is 9820. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBH9812 https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=9820&referer=v2 Bill

Not trying to start any controversy. I am just stating what I found with the two 63's that I bought. They both have a deluxe interior. One has a build date of the 1st week of January. That has the headliner trim painted blue. The other has a build date of the 5th week of March and it had chrome headliner trim all the way back to the rear window with the trim along the bottom of the sail panels and around the back window painted red like the interior. I have attached pictures of some of the chrome trim I took out of that one. You can see what the elements can do to this chrome trim. This highlights the beautiful condition of the pieces Tom is selling. My car was a 4th week of May build with the standard interior and the trim is painted except for the A-pillar. Bill

Ed, The CARS are $3.00 cheaper for a pair but, you will pay $9.95 for shipping and handling as compared to free S & H from James. The new CARS website is horrible. If you do a search for 1963 Riviera parts they show 3 items. Bill

James Kehr, BestOfferCounts. He has them listed on e-bay. $24.99 for a pair with free shipping. 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.) 2-1963 & 1964(?) standard interior rear quarter panel stainless trim pieces, enough for one side, can be used on either side 54.) 1965 console shifter bezel and shifter guide 57.) SOLD-1965 Front upper bumper brackets with attaching hardware 59.) 1965 lower front bumper support bar 68.) Console heater/AC air spring hose clamps 89.) Suction Throttle Valve bracket with attaching hardware 95.) 1965 front bumper filler panel/lower tie panel 105.) Blower motor-AC car-tested working 112.) 1965 Headlight Switch 118.) Driver's door long stainless beltline trim molding 119.) Upper cowl panel 122.) AC receiver/dehydrator brackets, clamps and attaching hardware 128.) SOLD-Passenger side lower dash pad 130.) 4 access panel attaching clips-2 needed per panel 134.) Blower motor to firewall ground wire 136.) 1963 dash pad defroster grill with attaching hardware-have 2 138.) 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 151.) SOLD-Passenger's side rear quarter window stainless beltline trim molding 155.) Passenger's door long stainless beltline trim molding 156.) Heater box with gasket 160.) SOLD-Inner fender door hinge cover filler panels-for car without electric windows 161.) Power Steering gear box 167.) 1963 left side dash access panel-have 2 171.) 1963-1965 middle lower rear seat filler panel 172.) Pair very nice 1963-1965 upper back seat side filler panels 173.) Rear quarter window leading edge weatherstrip stainless trim molding-only 1 left-will fit either side 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 180.) Passenger deluxe interior armrest power window switch bezel 182.) Steering column ribbed aluminum trim for non-tilt wheel 183.) 1963 fuse box bracket 186.) Steering column support brackets 188.) 1965 trunk wiring harness 193.) 1963-1964 radio knobs 194.) 1963-1964 headlight switch knob, stem and bezels-have 2 sets 198.) Passenger vent window beltline stainless trim molding-have 2 199.) Driver vent window beltline stainless trim molding-have 2 200.) Rear quarter stainless trim molding-will fit either side-have 2 201.) SOLD-Complete 1963-1964 Vacuum Trunk Release controller, actuator and mounting bracket-tested 202.) 1963-1964 Vacuum trunk release actuator-tested-working 203.) 1963-1965 4-way power seat-under seat wire harness-deluxe interior 207.) Power window wiring harness-passenger door-deluxe interior (work for standard interior?) 209.) 1963 Glovebox door script-have 2 212.) 1963 heater/AC switch dash cover plate 213.) 1963 glovebox light and lens 215.) SOLD-Complete set dash cluster light sockets with bulbs-all bulbs tested-good 216.) Driver's side lower dash trim 218.) Front seat inner side chrome trim pieces 220.) Console side carpet aluminum trim piece-passenger and driver 221.) Driver's side dash face aluminum-non AC car 222.) Shifter black plastic dust shield 223.) Passenger side upper dash trim 224.) Passenger side lower dash trim 226.) Console courtesy light mounting brackets and attaching hardware 228.) Trunk lid hinge bolts 230.) Dash clock mounting bracket 231.) Firewall vacuum diaphragm mounting bracket and attaching hardware 232.) Console/sail panel courtesy light bezels-have 2 pairs 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.) Passenger seat stop lanyard and hardware 244.) SOLD-Driver's front fender stainless trim molding 245.) SOLD-Lower door stainless trim molding-will fit either door 246.) 1963 firewall to trunk ribbon wire harness-have 2-tested 248.) 4-way power seat slave track with 4 delrin glides 249.) Miscellaneous 4-way power seat pieces 250.) Set of 4 stainless headlight retainer rings 252.) Trunk lid catch with attaching hardware 254.) SOLD-1965 speedometer head with trip odometer cable 256.) Passenger outside A-pillar stainless trim molding 257.) Driver's outside A-pillar stainless trim molding 259.) Driver's side rear quarter power window switch wiring harness 260.) Passenger's side rear quarter power window switch wiring harness 261.) Power steering pump brackets 264.) Passenger's side rear wheel opening molding 265.) Rear power window switches ribbon wiring harness-this is the ribbon harness that goes from the firewall to the rear switch harnesses 266.) Speedometer speed minder knob-have 3 267.) Deluxe interior armrest to door panel attaching hardware-have 2 sets 272.) Rear console courtesy light assembly 273.) 1963 1964 gauge cluster face with lenses-have 3 275.) Used AC fuel pumps-have 2 280.) 1965 headlight switch complete with bezel, stem and knob 283.) Deluxe interior lower door trim spears 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 2 287.) SOLD-1964 tail light lens with center emblem 288.) 1963 tail light lens center emblem 289.) Upper rear seat hold down screw/washers 290.) Door power window wiring conduit 291.) Pair 1963 sun visor boards 292.) SOLD-1963 Rear seat speaker grill 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

Bob, Don't sell your bridge, leave it where it is. I have this picturesque river I can sell you that would look perfect flowing under your bridge. In fact, we are having a winter closeout sale right now. Only one left, act now before it's gone! Bill

My follow up comments were not meant to be complaints. They were merely meant to describe what I had received and then the steps I took to get them to a condition I would like them to be in. I understand that buying parts regardless of perceived previous condition is always a crap shoot. A lot happens in 60 years that people can't know or predict. I agree with Bob that regardless of a parts "title" an accurate description is a vital key, which many times is lacking. Having been and on the buying end I always try to describe the part I am selling accurately to the best of my ability. I know that many people have issues with the term "NOS". I look at it as just a title that helps distinguish a parts past history. I don't for one minute think it means the part is perfect or without flaws. I think a more appropriate acronym might be "UOS" Unused Old Stock. I also understand that when I install an "NOS" part it becomes a used part. I do know that in many cases (not all) that a part that has not had 60 years of exposure to the elements and use may look or perform better than one that has. I have put a lot of work into these covers but, I also know that I may have had to do a lot more work with something that has seen some use. Ask Bob. Bill

I thought I would just give a follow-up to the turbines that I had bought. In a perfect world when you buy something NOS you would think that all you have to do is clean them up a little bit and pop them on. As with all things, it is never as easy as it seems. Somewhere along the line someone had clear coated 3 of the covers that I had gotten. This may seem like a good idea for protection but, it let them looking dull and had a water spotted look to them in some areas. The first picture shows a cover before the clear coat was removed. It doesn't look too bad. In my mind the clear coat had to come off. I tried acetone with limited success. You can see in the second picture the portion where the clear coat is and where it had been removed. The clear coat was tough stuff. What eventually worked was using a citrus based paint stripper. I let the stripper sit for awhile and then wiped it off. The stripper softened the clear coat enough so that I was able to remove it with 0000 stainless steel wool dipped in acetone. The covers were much improved. I then applied metal polish with 0000 stainless steel wool and then buffed with a microfiber cloth. The 3rd and 4th pictures show a finished cover with one of the NOS center cap/spinners I got from Steve Lorenzen. The 4th cover that I received is not going on my car. It is going to be the extra one that I will put on my spare tire. This cover appears to have been a bad casting. It looks as if someone had thrown sand in the mold before the metal was poured. See the 5th and 6th pictures This cover from what I can tell is NOS. A center cap has never been installed on it. I think this may have been one of those examples of where an NOS part was ordered to replace a poor quality original and then the replaced item was put in the box that the new part came in. If I had ordered a new car and this cover was on my car when I got it I would have had the dealer replace it. This one may be going to the "Turbinator" for some rehab. When I got the centers from Steve I also purchased another cover and center cap as spares. I decided to use the spare cover I bought as one that would be mounted on my car. It was a nice cover but, had some nicks and gouges on some of the sharp edges and scratches from use. I started with 400 grit sand paper and worked my way up to 2000 grit. Then this cover got the 0000 steel wool and metal polish treatment like the others. I think the effort was worth it. See the last 2 pictures. Moral of the story is that old cars are hard work no matter what the situation is. Bill

Here is a shot of the vacuum advance on my rebuilt distributor. Also, I have attached the notes Tom sent along as far as specs for the distributor. Bill

I found a couple of these on e-bay a while back for my 1963. I don't know if you will find any of these but, maybe these numbers will help with a cross reference to another. I would also ask Tom Telesco about this. He rebuilds distributors and he would know where or what to buy for a replacement. Bill