RivRider

I need the assembly, does anyone know where to buy new, if not I need the complete with outside handle

Just an update on the old girl, coming back home this summer, just contacted yesterday by current "caretaker". I'm looking for some help trying to put a value on old survivor,a bit difficult being a four-door. For those who don't know,the 400 model is the first year for the high compression 350. I've been out of the picture for a while and will back soon with some updates on projects and be contacting some of you that got left hanging last year, cars took back burner to the restaurant again.

Thanks guys for some options to look at, seems like a common problem, especially Boat-tails as all listed on Ebay have the same scratches. For anyone near PA, there are a couple Riv's in The Papershop, a '51 Super and a '69 that looks good.

I'm looking to replace all side windows as mine have major scratches. I'm just starting to take the interior out and any advice on what to look for that caused all windows to scratch so bad would help, suspecting the window sweeps. Drivers window is worst but would like to find all four.

If your leak isn't too bad try Lucas oil stabilizer,I have Lucas in every fluid in all my cars,I just last weekend pulled my '72 Riv out of the barn for first time in four years,my bad,needs lots more exercise.She had leaked a little oil and a lot of trans fluid,changed both and added Lucas and about 250 miles over the last week and not a drop on the floor.When I first got this car 26 years ago,there was a whine in the rear,changed that to straight Lucas,as indicated on bottle,and the whine never returned.

Here's my '72 I bought 26 years ago with 72,000 miles on her,today has 80,000,needing a little TLC around the edges,just started getting rid of surface rust around wheel wells and on the trunk lid. Hasn't been out in 4 years and just started working on her again.Out of 84 pre-1972 vehicles owned over the years(I have a real bad car crazy addition) this has become my favorite and will never leave me.All original but for the performer cam,Edelbrock carb,dual Flowmaster exhaust (which I love waking the neighbors with),fat tires and wire caps from my previous '64 as the original mags where getting a little dull.Even the heated bucket seats still work,but no need for them as she has never been out in the cold and only been caught in the rain twice since I've owned.I am looking for a drivers side outside door handle which snapped off ten years ago and I'm tired of opening the door from the other side.By the way,one of the best Buicks I ever owned is in the background,'90 Century woody wagon that used to pass four wheel drive trucks stuck in the snow in the winter,sold her for $800 with 350,000 miles.

I need an outside drivers door handle for my '72 Riviera

What a great bunch of pictures of some extra special cars,that sure was a once in a lifetime find.It's too bad the " barn find hunter" didn't pay you a visit before they left,I see he was in Savannah in his first episodes and I'm sure your find would have aired on the show (on computer only).If you all haven't seen it yet it is worth a look,sponcored by Hagerty Ins.,just goggle Barn Find Hunter. It's been so rainy here I watched all 13 episodes and can't wait for the next.By the way,was that a headlight dimmer on the dash of the '63? Next you got to let us know of progress on the '38 when it happens. Nice under the hood helper you got there,I've got one too.

No, I love it,wish I had it this weekend because of a couple old broads hitting on me at our bar this weekend that didn't want no for an answer!

I agree on not paying for water until it comes to distilled for my old girls.the ones with tires that is.Nice tee shirt!

When you get your radiator ready to fill and if you have hard water in your area,use distilled water to mix,it will give you a lot less trouble in the future.Up here in the northeast we have very hard water so I always use distilled and add just a table spoon of vegetable oil,really keeps it from build up inside.Looks like you're making progress.

That is a real beauty,glad I'm not the only one naming cars,my '60 is called "Elvira" 'cause she's all black and Elvira would sure look good behind the wheel,although she'd probably look better behind the wheel of yours!

You really should try my method on that paint,might surprise you,pick a fender and give it a whirl.Do you know if it was repainted ? If it was,the sanding would be the way,if not that old paint should come back.Stay away from that lacquer thinner.Take a look at my '60 LeSabre "Elvira",she looked a lot worse than yours before I started,I should have taken pictures after dust and before my clean up.

You might want to try one of my old tricks for bringing back old paint,used on all 80-something of mine,wipe it down the whole car with kerosene,adds oil back to paint and loosens any overspray.Then go back and rub down the whole car,terry cloth towel dampened with kerosene,this will remove dead paint .Then wash with good hot water and Dawn dish soap.Then polishing compound,old Dupont #7 works best using quite damp cloth and keep re-wetting,in straight back and forth rubbing,this allows you to fill in any minor surface scratching with circular polishing later.When finished use a damp towel to remove excess compound one section at a time and dry with another towel right after.Then go at it with wax.My Grandfather taught me this with my first car,'63 Impala SS convertible,the dark maroon paint looked like it had never been waxed and turned almost white,after doing this it looked like new again.On the chrome I use 0000 steel wool,made for polishing metal,a lot less messy,especially inside where you don't want all the goop of liquid.Try a small section with both these tricks,don't be scared,I never ruined one yet,that's why "Elvira" looks so good,you might be surprised and less invasive than sanding and less work. By the way,another beautiful 4dr. saved,good luck and keep us posted.

No,I'm up in N.E. corner,twenty miles below N.Y. border just off Rt.81 up in the endless mountains at 1800 feet.

When I did Elvira I used polishing compound,Dupont #7 first then wax and I forgot how nice that old lacquer paint was to work with,if not real bad you can always bring it back.Then the tooth brush and soft bristle scrub brush to get in the cracks and trim.Then I found Turtle Wax Ice that doesn't leave all that junk,several new ones like that out there,does a nice job.Where are you at,if I get Elvira going this year,it would be nice to see them side by side

Looks like you've got got her all shined up,I love that color,really stands out in the sun.

Better thin out the herd,found your Riv in Simponsville,SC,check out on www.classiccars.com.put in Rivieras,first page. Only 2 hrs away.

Shucks,I new you would get hooked on that beauty,looks like Helen and Elvira will be sticking around.When I get my Riv back on the road,I'm am going to make a road trip down to see your Buick farm later this summer.

Did the storms miss you,we had hail last night when the barbecue chicken was about half done,first of the year,good thing we had the grille and beer under the roof.

Sounds like we're building a party at Mr.Earls!! Can't be too many other places with such a collection of Buicks and characters in one place.It will only take me 14 hours to get there unless I bring the Riv,cut it to about 10 or 11.

I prefer a good cold beer if it's hot outside or tequila and oj if its cold out,I do landscaping too,but prefer shinning old metal.Looks like if they where all running you could fit more in the barn!! Easier to maneuver.

They just keep getting better looking!! If these gas wells would get to pumping,I would retire and come down to help just for the fun of it,got a spare room?

Very nice new pictures,in my opinion that is the best looking Buick ever made,that will stir up some members but I think a lot would agree,stunning and odd at the same time especially from the rear,although my Riviera comes in a close second for oddities.Nice work,keep us informed.

Don't be scared,that is how I did the last 4 engines,three that worked and one on the way.The '68 LeSabre took 8 quarts on top of the 6 that was in the pan to start with,added every few days until it wouldn't take any more.Six months later it was running! I let it drain for a day before refilling,a lot of smoke that cleared in 15 minutes and it's still running today out in Illinois,till she comes home. Good luck on however your trick is,everyone has one.In fact the guy with the graveyard is the one that taught me this one.