rodneybeauchamp

Tom, all the really good ‘65’s are down under and we ain’t selling them! Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

We were on a club outing on Sunday and got Jo to take these. We had our VW Eos with top down and no Buick yet but both Kevin (sitting in the Skylark) and Roger (speaking to him owns the Riviera) bought theirs. Was a great event with a big number of very nice cars, these the only Buicks! Nice to see both Buicks out and about and Kevin is on the path to keep sorting the convertible! Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀

Hi John, was one of the reasons I pounced on it very quickly. My criteria was less than 50K and all the underneath Photos confirmed the mileage. And since it arrived I have driven it a small number of times and it feels like a new car. But my aim is to put some miles on it with some Coffee N Cars events, some cruises and some interstate club events. Not good for a car to sit idle deteriorating. It was one of my concerns that it had been idle, but once all the fluids and filters have been changed and a few other things checked, it should be fine.

Thank you Sebastien, here in Australia they are very rare too. There is a ‘95 interstate and my ‘97 that our Buick club members are aware of. Until I collected mine, I had never seen one either. I think that they will start to ease into popularity as time goes on. Perhaps a bit like the ‘63 Riviera which was overlooked for many years. Now the ‘63 - ‘65 command very tall money for a good one. Im very happy with this one, it is very different in my eyes to what we have here. BTW am in awe of what you are doing with your Buick. It will be better than new! 👍👍👍 Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

And when I drove it home from the shipping depot to home (over fifty miles) I was over the moon with what I had. It drives much like a brand new car, quiet, smooth, comfortable. Buick engineers knew what they were building with this one. Definitely a keeper in my book. Oh, there are a few gremlins which is to be expected with a twenty five year old Buick but I can attend to those over time. Now the next saga, getting it to comply with our South Australian authorities regarding conditional Left Hand Drive registration. Some further photos. Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

And some of the paperwork that came with it, including the original window sticker. For some reason the original owner deleted the pinstripe that is standard with the prestige package. Hope he doesn’t mind, but I will be adding one 😀😀😀😀😀😀

I made the initial inquiry on 28th April 2023, and the transaction was completed a few days later. A week or so later it was collected by the transport company and trucked from Minnesota to Houston where it sat waiting to be packed into the container which happened on the 5th June. Unable to be shipped until the 11th July, the container went first to the UK, then offloaded to another ship that sailed to Sydney, then offloaded to another that sailed to Adelaide. When it was collected Noel sent me a short video of it running which was a nice touch. Will try to include that some how. After customs clearance, some cleaning and other red tape I was able to drive it home Monday 25th September. A long agonising wait, but we’ll worth it once I picked it up. Not much room once it is put inside a 40’ container along with another car. Both bound for Adelaide (Plymouth Prowler I believe). The loading people must climb out through the windows once inside.

And further photos. There are many many more and no doubt they will appear here as the story unfolds. The vehicle may still be listed under the ‘Sold’ section at Route 65 Car Sales if wanting to view them all. After accepting my offer we arranged a deposit and wire transfer of the money and I arranged for an Australian importer to ship the Buick. The sales person Noel Bayne rang me and I also rang him which helps both parties to verify that we were genuine persons and not a scam ( which is always in the back of your mind )

This one popped up on one of the alerts I had set up while we were caravanning in Tasmania. Route 65 Car Sales posted umpteen photos, inside, outside, underneath and showed the odometer at 10,883miles. All the photos attested to the authenticity of the mileage. And after a quick email obtained the Carfax report. The 1997 Riviera has many of the upgrades that the 1998 has including the uprated four speed overdrive transmission, aluminium suspension components, daytime running lights and more so I decided to pull the trigger on this one. Anyway some photos from the Route 65 Car Sales listing.

Hi all, would like to introduce you to my latest (and possibly last) Buick, my 1997 Riviera supercharged coupe. With all of us there is usually a story so this is mine. In our Australian Buick Magazine was an article titled “Is this the youngest Riviera in Australia”. The article was about a 1995 imported by John Offer (whom I have spoken to but so far not met) The photos and the article really grabbed me so much that it became the seed of an idea. Unfortunately John’s Riviera didn’t get to the Australian 2022 Buick Nationals in Dubbo NSW so I was not able to see, feel and touch one in the flesh. Undeterred, I started looking for a 1998 with 50K or less miles. I had given myself strict criteria…. It had to be pearl white, it had to have the Supercharged engine (standard in 1998), sunroof and in excellent condition. Once I sold my ‘63 Riviera, the search escalated where I looked everyday and signed up to six million sites to be notified. A few came up that were close, a smart red one took my fancy but sticking to my criteria it took almost six months to find ‘the Riviera’. So without too much more, here she is! 😀😀😀😀

Not sure on these engines but my overheating on a Skylark was caused by an air lock after I drained and refilled the system. Perhaps there is an air lock and not enough fluid in the system. Ended up using a funnel to help burp the system. Just my two bobs worth Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀

Hi NTX5467, I do need to do some more searching. My knowledge of the 3800 in anything but a Riviera (or a Holden Commodore over here) is scant. I occasionally use the ‘95 - ‘99 Buick Riviera Facebook group and some others but find their format can be sketchy. Not a huge fb fan at all 👎 This forum is much nicer, well organised and much easier to search and navigate. Which probably has a lot to do with the people who are active here. Will certainly post the results and start up a page in Me and My Buick. Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 Appreciate your help.

Hi all, Well after a long waiting time I was able to collect my 1997 Buick Riviera. Very very happy with the 50 odd mile journey home. No doubt to comply with our Australian requirements I will need to show to our authorities the engine number. After searching the owners manual, this forum and other literature I cannot find where it is located. Can any member assist with this? Thanks in advance Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀

You should be happy with those. I fitted them on my Riviera in early 2016 and the next owner is still using them. Mine were 235 on the optional 6” Riviera rim and did touch the frame on full lock but never an issue. Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀

Hi Matt, for what it is worth Penrite Oil in Australia are making a fully synthetic oil they are calling “Extra Ten”, which from what I can work out means that at hotter temperatures it maintains viscosity. As you would be aware, down under we have more issues with higher ambient temperatures rather than ice and snow. The reply is from the Technical Support explaining how it works. Have not used it but seriously considering. Might be worth a look if available over there. Just my two bobs worth that Penrite give me (kidding) Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Looking good. Those whitewalls will clean up nicely with some sand soap, or a soapy Brillo pad or scourer with lots of soft soap and water. A stiff bristle brush will help too! Always worked wonders with my whitewalls over the years. Much cheaper than store bought tyre cleaners. Certainly avoid chemicals and solvents. Enjoying the progress! Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

A temporary fix for the roof and gutter rust holes is to neutralise it with a rust killer then rattle can some primer and a top coat. Then apply some quality sticky duct tape or similar and lightly paint over to match. Only temporary but it will slow the rust and keep the water out until you are able to undertake a proper repair. Certainly makes it useable one it becomes drivable. My ‘40 Pontiac sedan was patched like that for a few years but was still able to drive it to swap-meets and car shows. (And a wedding! ) That way you can concentrate on the mechanical side. Enjoying your fun and your progress. Keep at it! Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Hi all, Can anyone advise if a fifteen inch rim from any other GM vehicle will suit a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 four door hardtop? My hairdresser, Fiona is in need of four wheel rims. Apparently the mounting holes have been enlarged overtime creating a problem for safety and alignment. One is also buckled. In Australia these Cadillac rims may be hard to source so wondering if any other rim would interchange? Other Cadillac years or other GM? Tnx in advance, Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Our car market was very different to the US and UK because of our small population, large distances between major towns and cities and our heavy reliance on rural industries before WWII. The idea of the coupe utility was the farmer could carry sheep and hay and fertilisers during the week and take it to Church on Sunday. Therefore it had to be comfortable and stylish yet sturdy enough for the tasks. Also farmers would buy new vehicles in the good years and repair them to keep them running in the drought years. Just my take on this! Why they were not marketed in the US ….. who knows Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

That’s a great attitude to have on these projects. Fully for fun and to test one’s abilities. If all we worried about is the investment in time and money we would probably do something else. But at the end of each day you can stand back proud at what you have accomplished and say, yep I have done that! That is the real reward. Enjoy the Chrysler and look forward to seeing more posts and pictures Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Great find. Would be nice to get it running and driving so you know what you are dealing with. Doing small tasks at a time such as a brake overhaul, wiring etc will allow you to keep it driving without extensive time off the road. Photos as you go are super important as is a correct shop manual. Enjoy the journey and as others have said, just do one thing every day! Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Interesting build and another first generation Riviera down under. At this rate we will have more ‘63, ‘64 and ‘65 Rivieras than the States. FYI if you want a more correct Riviera look, the round manual remote Buick outside mirrors will do wonders to the appearance. More importantly they are interchangeable from Left to Right by reversing the mirror hood. The ‘63 has the oval surround on the remote knob whereas the ‘64 and ‘65 have the rectangular surround. And they were fitted on most Buicks of that era, not just the Rivs. Good luck on the build. Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Hi, you may want to post this in the Buick Riviera section of this forum. Lots of good knowledgeable folk live there and speak fluent Buick-ease. And photos always get us interested. cheers Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Welcome to the world of the PREVIOUS OWNER. Who knows why they do what they do but all we can do it get it right. Half the fun and you get someone to curse as you lay upside down trying to get to all those unreachable wires. Enjoy! Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀

Owner now has located a seat. Many thanks for helping. Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀