lrlforfun

OK: Here's a real nice used rear bumper for the 63 Le Sabre and Wildcat. For used It's very straight and has shiny chrome. NOT PERFECT. The back-up lights are even present. Asking $150. Pick up at my house in Castro Valley, CA. Sorry, NO SHIPPING. Thanks, Mitch

OK Scott: So....where are these things? Mitch

OK Scott: So.....what's the next question? Mitch

OK Riviera People: I run the kind Bob the Turbinator runs. Perfect! Hey, I also noticed the valve stem on the 63 wire cap is at 6 'o clock on the factory picture. I've been putting all mine at 3 'o clock. Will i get in trouble with the cops on that one? Mitch

OK Buick People: It's happy. Ever go to a swap meet and see the vendor ask too much for their stuff, pack it up and keep doing the same thing? Well, cars can also be like that. Now at least if the car is not selling the seller has a legitimate reason to consider lowering the price. Yup, VERY VERY HAPPY. Mitch

OK Riviera People: Ya want it? 1.Call the seller 2. Get a vibe with the seller and ask questions about the car. 3. Get the pictures you NEED. 4. Re-contact the seller ask for any more clarification you'll need and hone in on an approximate price. 5. Physically look at it, drive it, get it up in the air. 6. Be prepared to fish or cut bait. Yes, bring money (determined before the physical look) AND BE PREPARED TO WALK if it ain't right. Anything besides this protocol you're stickin' your neck waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out and if you don't get what you want it's your own fault. Crap presentations are crap because the product could be crap and priced over market....OR BOTH. BTW, if more buyers were that particular about this procedure we'd have a better, more honest market and much happier hobby. ALTRUISTIC? Perhaps, but it's a start! Mitch

OK David: I'm gonna look for it locally. Shipping is more than double the cost of the product. Thanks, Mitch

OK Bob: On these old things ABSOLUTELY NOT...if they're original paint. A repaint? Could be a fool's errand as it's a lotta work and it may not come out that great....or hold up. I've lucked out 1 in 15! Mitch

OK Riviera People: Buffing that paint? A fool's errand. Clay it then do the two-step paint correction. I'd use a 15MM throw DA with a foam cutting pad and a semi-aggressive compound, followed up with a polish/sealant and a foam polishing pad. Keep your DA at half speed and be patient. A rotary will not do a good job on these. I AM a professional detailer and I have years of experience with old cars like this. And....every job is different. I might see it in the flesh and use a somewhat different approach. Mitch

OK Werne: I purchased my sweeper kit from Rubber the Right Way. pretty reasonable in price too. Mitch

OK Bill: Turbinator has 'em. He on the Riviera forum. he does an exchange, 63, 64 and he's a great guy to deal with too. Mitch

OK BCA People: A 425 with a spreadbore and Q-J!

OK CTX: I got 'rm! Mitch

OK Buick People: Lotta things right , lotta things wrong. Wrong? The price stinks, it's really in need of a lot of work, a crem de la crem Cherry , red loaded 63 Electra convert isn't worth all that much. Right? It looks like it ain't rusted. it is a loaded red convert with buckets and a console. To make this really pop is gonna take oooodles and toodles of dough Mitch

OK Turbinator, formerly RRB: So what are these sets going for? What's a complete set of trade-in's worth in trade? Mitch

OK Riviera: Looked like Yvonne's old car but hers had power vents. Mitch

OK Canadian Wildcat: I would pay $1,000 for a good running 425 in Northern California. So, what's good? I can hear it running. It has almost no lifter noise, no rod noise, no piston noise. It has almost no blow by when hot and changing the open/close on the PVC valve. I could take a compression check and the compression is high and even. A core? Almost free because it's gonna cost 6 grand to build......... if it can be built. The tranny? A Turbo 375, 1964 only. The 64, 65 and 66 401/425 hooks up to your Turbo 400 switch pitch. The tranny? 65/66 is best. I know because I have dozens of these cars with good and bad engines and.....I have repaired and rebuilt 4,. Mitch.

OK John 😧 The 340 has poor oiling. It's a wimpy and small engine for a big and heavy car, not much power. Add hills and the a/c on and it's really gutless. Today? Add Father Time's shadow and it's not lookin' too good. Buick realized this in 1968 and responded with the much improved 350 which stayed for a very long time. I base my experience from have a new one and currently having 4. And....the Skylark? Lighter car with a 300 trans= a lot peppier. Mitch

OK Brad: I have 4 66 Le Sabres so I think I can chime in with some experience. Power Brakes? Excellent as hell when operating as designed. Not hard or expensive to bring them up to the highest factory standards. The rear end? Take it to a QUALIFIED" shop where they specialize in rear ends. Have them put it up in the air and get an inspection and evaluation. Go from there. The motor? A 340 with the 2 speed trans is actually much peppier than the 400 package which is a 4 barrel and a turbo 400 transmission. It is NOT a great motor so keep the oil clean and run Marvel's Mystery Oil in the crankcase. Mitch

OK Riviera People: The gas tanks are starting to fail in droves. Corrosion that clogs the fuel pump and carb....allowing tons of fuel in the crankcase. I'm seeing it a lot! Mitch

OK Pat: 225 70'z on a First gen Riv is THE ticket! A lower profile and a little more meat on the ground. So many molest these Rivieras by messing with the suspension when just changing to this size can eliminate the mess. Mitch

OK Riviera People: I got blasted by the best for sayin' this. There is NO SUCH THING as new old stock. It ain't new if it was made 50 years ago. It's UNUSED OLD STOCK. Like several people cautioned, don't fall into that stupid trap. $1,600 for UNUSED Cathedrals? Not on my watch. Mitch

OK Tom: I have a super loaded 63 Rive.....with NO tint. I wonder what happened there. Mitch

OK: Factory a/c in this cream colored Riv is a fool's errand. Too much work and you'll be hog tied and want to bail quickly, Grampa's car or not. If a/c is that much of an issue there are several outfits that install aftermarket that works great. Options on this Riv? Just buy a loaded one as there are plenty out there. I have 3 63 Rivs loaded . They're out there. You can have Grampa's extreme poverty Riv and a loaded one. Mitch

OK Riviera People: First-Gen Rivs for sale grow on trees in many areas. The problem? Most are obscenely overpriced. The ones priced at market disappear quickly and that's why one wouldn't see it listed for sale. Mitch