jframe

My standard 65 sits about like this one does. Haven't decided whether to do something about it or not yet, but what kind and size of spacers did you use?

Well, I made it fit by gently bending the top of the tank. Problem is, I just don't get an accurate reading.

My 65 has a new, CORRECT 90 ohm sending unit, and I have swapped between two different gauges with the same results. When I completely fill it up, the needle will only go to between 1/2 and 3/4 full. I failed to test the arm of the sender before I installed it; I am wondering if the arm needs to be bent to make the gauge accurate, and if so, which direction? I figure I am going to have to remove the tank one way or another once again, just trying to get some ideas.

Beige is cool! Gives it a sleeper look, especially with the vinyl top; love to see more pics.

66 should fit, just need correct 65 center caps.

Another white Riv, it looks like. That blue 68 os as sharp as usual.

Love the Bonneville AND your Riv!. Sorta partial to white, lol. I am thinking of taking my stock Riv on parts of the Power Tour this year because I never have been before. The Bowling Green, Chattanooga, and Birmingham leg would be easy for me, since I live in NW Alabama. BTW, I have heard of Mark Stielow before, and if he is helping oversee your Riv project, I really don't think chassis issues will be a problem for you. Good luck with your build, and welcome to the Forum! Looking forward to more pics!

Love the car and the color. Stunning amount of detail. Almost OVER restored for a guy like me that loves to drive. I'm glad there are folks that are willing to make this kind of commitment to originality so they can be studied if nothing else. Sure would like to point those fenders down a highway on a warm night with all the windows down, though. ?

You sir, are one LUCKY man! I came close about a year before I found my 65 to buying a 69 bucket seat car that was whote with a black vinyl top; same color scheme as the 65 I wound up with. I still would like to have a 2nd Gen, but I am out of garage room. Love to see more pics of yours!

I started out with my car just doing shoes and hardware. This quickly progressed to new master cylinder, four wheel cylinders, all three rubber hoses and a fluid flush. Lesson here with 50 year old cars, if it needs ONE part of the system redone, it needs ALL of the system redone. Bonus is, these parts aren't terribly expensive.

Nice color combo!

I have been trying to call for a few days now at their office with no response. I left a message but nobody has called me back. I want to purchase a few extra copies, one for my photo buddy, and at least one more to take apart and mat and frame to hang in my office at home. Guess I'll keep trying.

It is a neat idea, and to each their own. At one time, I was all about this. With 25 years of hindsight, I feel now that the FUN of an old car is the driving experience. I love the way my 65 goes down the highway, and while it tracks and stops great, I feel that I am way more involved in the driving experience at all speeds. That is the enjoyment for me, right along with the various noises and smells of a 50 year old vehicle. With my 2003 Corvette, things don't get really interesting until the wind is sucking the side windows out. Up until that point, that car is just simply a point and shoot missile. My Riv is like really good bourbon; you have to SIP it, to enjoy it.

Well, the 65 was a bucket list item for me.

Your car is every bit as sharp. That color is just awesome. I love Second Gens almost as much as the first.

I emailed Ray about at least one extra copy to give to a friend that made some of the pics.

Thanks, guys for the compliments. I was stunned to see it on the cover, especially with that Aqua Riv in there as well. That color just pops so much more than white. My Riv is an absolute joy for me to drive. I am reminded of my folks and how much they loved that Midnight Blue 65 Dad had. My Mom loved it SO much that she slid past a toll booth with all four tires locked up, trying to haul down from a solid 90mph in Kentucky, lol. She said she would send Dad to work in her 60 Impala, and she would wash the Riviera, and drive it all over Detroit, and take any challenge. I am so glad they passed that love and enjoyment on to me, and that my Dad was able to enjoy it for awhile before his death.

My 65 has rear seat belts as well, but the buckle is chrome steel.

Nope, open, I believe 3.07 ratio

Well, I was also wondering IF I had to use the 215 spare with the 225 tires actually on the car, if it would make a huge difference in driving if ONLY for short distance until I could get the 225 tire fixed or replaced?

Been doing first one little thing to another to my 65, trying to make a nice car even better. One thing I did was to replace the 32 year old spare tire with a new, American Classic whitewall in 215/75-15. I am wondering whether I should use this size for my other four on the car, or go to the 225/75-15. I put the 215 for the spare mainly because I have read here that a 225 size is damned hard to get on the shelf under the package tray; apparently, it's a tight fit. I will most likely never use the spare; my Vette doesn't have one at all. I have towing insurance if worst comes to worst. I think the 225 tire would fit the Riv better, but I am really hunting opinions. Should I go to the 225 or stay with a 215/75-15?

My 65 had a Pertronix part number 1181 installed along the way somewhere. No problems so far, always starts well. The resistor is still hooked up tho, which sorta confues me because I thought these units allowed it to be bypassed or removed.

The gold one in the factory brochure sure looks higher in back to me, but factories have doctored photos for years. I personally think it sits about right, and with new Gabriel gas shocks, it sure seems to take speed bumps easier. Previously, even though I ease over them, it seemed to want to get a little cushy in the rear when I crossed them.

I agree, Winston. These cars had a stance like no other, other than maybe a Corvette. I think these mechanics at work are used to seeing Chevelles and late Sixties Camaros that folks have put big block springs in or something. From my measurements, I cannot see any sag from behind the front tire all the way to the rear, where the chrome strip stops. I came up with 15 inches, give or take a quarter inch maybe, from just behind the front tire all the way to the rear where the strip stops.

But it will be different from front to back, no? The moldings arch differently. I was trying to prove to someone at work that the rear end is not sagging. Or maybe I am using the wrong measurement points; the factory manual has a nutty, if accurate, way to do it, but I was just trying to roughly gauge. Hard to justify money for springs if it just is what it is.