96roadmaster

'63 Riviera, if you want a lower stall converter with a tight feel, you may want to go with a 1994-1996 stock LT1 torque converter. These were on the Chevrolet Impala, Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Fleetwood, are readily available everywhere, stall at about 1477 rpm, and have a high STR rating. The STR rating is what determines how loose the converter feels. Just run that suggestion by your trans builder. The 700R4 is mechanically identical to the 4L60, except that the 4L60 is electronically controlled. If I remember correctly, their converters are interchangeable though. The higher stall/loose converters are used by drag racers, who can get off the line at a higher rpm and enter the powerband quicker. It makes it annoying around town though. Good luck!

Since this is a newer section in the AACA, and I'll be very active now, I figured I should introduce myself. My name is Roupin, and I share a car hobby with my father. Between us we have the cars in my signature, which we consider "the classics" even though the '84 and '96 are newer models. Recently we pulled the Riviera out of storage (finally!) and now it's time to have that car cleaned up and get it on the road. Here is a thread I had made on the Buick club with the pictures of the car... http://forums.aaca.org/showflat.php?Cat=...true#Post428272 I will also be updating the progress with more pictures on my website, www.roupin.com That site started off mainly as a place for me to store my pictures (I got sick of losing stuff on my computer), and then evolved into a Gallery. Anyway, it's nice to be a part of this friendly group, and to be able to share my love for the Riviera.

Thank you Tim for the ideas. It definitely gives me the courage since it sounds easy enough. I'm also having a mechanic friend add a helping hand as well. I'm also having everything replaced in thw whole system, since the car was in storage for a number of years and I don't intend to take chances with this beauty. RivNut, I thought long and hard if I want to go with the disc brake conversion, but I'm very reluctant to part with the famous Buick aluminum finned drums. I know I can get better performance from the discs, but I'm trying to keep the car visually original. My only deviation will be the master cylinder, and that's just in the name of safety. I'll post pictures when we convert it in a couple weeks! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm looking for the stock upper fan shroud for my '64 Riviera. Mine is cracked and I'm looking for a clean replacement. Does anyone have the part, or can provide me with a lead? Thanks!

Ed, can we get a link to that writeup? My '64 Riviera is at the shop right now awaiting this conversion, but I can't find any information about it anywhere.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FANTASTIC. It can not need too much restoration work. How about a picture or two of the 58 Super? Stevo </div></div> I only have two pictures of the Super, since that car is in storage for the time being as well. The '58 Special is the one being restored, and the pictures are all over my website. Here is a link to the Buick page, just to make it easier for you... http://www.roupin.com/gallery/categories...4e8f3a6843c4b28 The Riviera doesn't need that much work, since it's a very clean car to begin with. The only work we are pretty much looking at is paint, some minor rechroming and polishing the stainless.

I finally got around to it and took the '64 out of storage and into the same restoration shop who's doing the '58. That's his next project. We towed it to his shop since we didn't care to experiment through the canyons of LA in a car that's been parked for a handful of years. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Some background: We bought this baby from Cecil Don many years ago and it's an all-original car with 92k miles on the clock. The car is perfectly straight with zero rust. The car is mechanically sound and the interior is still 100% perfect. Enough talk, here are the pictures. I'll update with progress in the future.

I've also bought thousands of dollars worth of stuff from CARS, without any problems either. As far as I'm concerned, I've been happy with their service, support and return policy (I've returned 2 items before). I was just curious about the quality of the hubcap ornaments, since they will be going on a completely restored showcar, and I know they probably buy these from a single vendor. Anyway, I'll take my chances with them and add them to my order. I currently have some other parts on order from them for the '64 Riviera as well <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's finally time to pull the '64 Riviera out of storage and give that baby the love it deserves. In the name of safety, I'm strongly considering converting to a dual master cylinder setup, and am looking for a writeup or any information of the sort. Basically, everything that is needed to convert the car, step by step. I know there was a topic about this a few years ago, but I just spent half an hour searching through the archives and came up empty handed. Thanks! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I'm at a disadvantage here. Someone please fill me in and relay and feedback regarding the ornaments from CARS, before I commit $240 to them. If anyone doesn't want to say anything publicly, please send me a private message instead.

The ornaments I'm looking at are for the 58 Buick Special, BUT I am still interested in hearing about ANY of the ornaments they offer. I know the 58's aren't too popular around here and the chances anyone has bought a set is slim, so I'm open to firsthand feedback on any year ornaments. As for the 96 Roadmaster, that is my daily driver. I currently have 79k miles on it since new, and absolutely love it. All of our cars are always 100% original, but the Roadmaster is the one I've thrown a few parts at. It shares it's architecture with the Impala SS, which you probably know is well-known in the aftermarket parts suppliers. The Roadmaster is VERY comfortable, VERY powerful, and VERY reliable. Mine has had a few extra issues because of the harder miles, but is still light years better than most other cars. Plus repairs cost pennies. If you want any other information, or have specific questions, feel free to ask. I'm heavily involved with that car and it's crowd, and have both seen and heard them all.

I'm looking for any feedback on the hubcap ornaments that are reproduced by Cars, Inc (www.buickparts.com). Are they aesthetically correct as the originals? Do they have the reflective paint as well? Bottom line is: Are they worth the $240 for the set? Any feedback is appreciated.

Too bad the Super is coming back as a front-loader, after all these years. Maybe Buick should have left it in hibernation, until they had a car worthy of the name.

Mr. Lichty, I can't help you with the parts you are looking for, but I just couldn't resist replying. This is Roupin, William's son. I hope you still remember this car! We are thoroughly enjoying the car, and I am also now in love with the '84 that Mr. Gary recently assisted in. Here is also a link with more pictures from a local show we entered the car in... http://forums.aaca.org/showflat.php?Cat=...true#Post393173 I hope everything is fine and you are doing well! Take care, and good luck with the parts <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Roupin

Are the parts between the '55 or '56 identical to the 58's? I'm fancying the idea of converting the Super to a stick. And to prevent any argument wars before they start, that car is a driver at best, so I'm not concerned about originality on that one.

Bump to the top!

Thanks for the reply. I'm curious to see a picture of the part you have. I'm looking for the exact part, or the closest match. I know the '56 Belairs are very similar, but I'm interested nevertheless. Hold on to my number just in case!

Pontiac59, I'm new to Imageshack, and apologize for the error. Here is the correct picture of the speaker grill... http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6263/58speakergrillmk0.jpg I just sent you a PM, with my phone number. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience. Thank you, Roupin

Yup, that's when the car had JUST arrived. I washed it and took that picture within 2 hours of its arrival.

Were you able to see the picture that I posted? It was coming up when I posted it, but for some reason I only see it's web address. Here is a direct link you can click on, please let me know if it looks identical to your eye. http://img456.imageshack.us/my.php?image=349pz.jpg Here are a couple pictures of the '59 <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> http://www.regionofdoomforum.com/Upload/...ark%2006013.jpg http://www.regionofdoomforum.com/Upload/...k%202006085.jpg http://www.regionofdoomforum.com/Upload/...k%202006005.jpg

Whew! I sorted through a few thousand pictures on my computer just to find this one... Here it is! Pontiac59, please let me know if it matches yours.

I do have a picture on my computer at home. I will dig it up tonight and will post it here. Thanks!

I'm desperately looking for a 1958 Buick rear speaker grill. That's the original speaker grill that was on the rear deck on the cars that had the optional rear speaker. It's a small part, but I just can't find it anywhere. Does anyone have any leads? I'm also willing to offer a finder's fee for a clean one, if the transaction goes through. Please help!

It's that time of the year again. The show was held at Woodley Park in Van Nuys, California (SoCal). There were over 400 cars there, and it was simply great. It was the first time I had taken a car to a show, and my car was accompanied by it's 1st cousin! The '59 convertible is owned by a gentleman named Rick who drove down all the way from San Jose in his '59 Electra 25 convertible just to attend the show. He was accompanied by the '82 Riviera you see in the pictures, driven down by another gentleman (I think his name was Ben) from his local BCA club. Anyway, enough talk, let's see the pics!

Thanks! See you on Sunday!