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Ed, Agreed. A beautiful and special Riviera! As I have said, the owner is a stand-up guy based on previous dealings we have had. Hope Jim might be able to bring it to the ROA meet. Jim Vesely ROA # 7437

Cool and clean! Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Sharp Riviera Bill! Jim Vesely ROA #7437 BCA #39477

Jim Carter is a stand-up guy. I purchased a few parts he had advertised in the Riview some time ago. Unbeknownst to him, there was an issue with one of them. I brought it to his attention. Do not recall asking for it although he issued a refund right away. This vehicle was featured in the Riview in the past. Jim Vesely ROA # 7437 BCA # 39477

The color of the Los Angeles Craigslist Riviera is not the same shade of green as Code S - Olive Gold Metallic, an exclusive Riviera color. Olive gold metallic was specified on 22.59% of all 1968 Rivieras per Darwin Falk's Options Not Included series of articles in the Riview. It was either repainted a somewhat different shade of green or or special color specified from the factory (probably less likely). Jim Vesely ROA # 7437 BCA # 39477

The full-length operating console was optional at extra cost on bucket seat models. The non-operating floor console was standard on models equipped with bucket seats. Therefore, the floor console was removed on the Los Angeles Craigslist 1968 Riviera or a non-operating floor console was requested to be deleted when the vehicle was ordered (probably less likely). Further, no chrome air cleaner lid appears to be present. This was removed, requested to be swapped for a standard air cleaner lid when the vehicle was ordered (probably less likely) or the vehicle may not be not be a genuine GS. Jim Vesely ROA # 7437 BCA # 39477

Operating console was a separate option. This Riviera is fitted with the deluxe interior. Jim Vesely ROA # 7437 BCA # 39477

Randall, Thank you for the clarification. Jim Vesely ROA # 7437 BCA # 39477

Pat, The following information is according to Darwin Falk in his series of articles, Options Not Included in the "Riview": 7.2% of 1966 Rivieras wore a vinyl top (offered only in the spring of 1966), 63.1% of 1968 Rivieras were ordered with vinyl tops, 84.9% of 1969 Rivieras had a vinyl top and 87.5% of 1970 Rivieras were so equipped. Regarding the 1969 vinyl top production, black was by far the most popular vinyl top covering, installed on 35.94% of the production. This is followed by white vinyl tops installed on 15.38% of 1969 Rivieras, buckskin on 12.31%, dark green on 10.47%, dark fawn on 8.01% and burgundy on 2.80%. Burgundy was a Riviera only vinyl top color. Darwin has not written an Options Not Included article on the 1967 Rivieras to date. The following information is also from his articles: 5.78% of 1965 Rivieras were ordered with a black vinyl top (the only color available that model year and only in the spring of 1965). 75.1% of the first year of the boat-tail generation, 1971, left Flint with the vinyl covering. Both the full vinyl top (as in prior years) and a sport or landau were available for 1972 although the landau top was only available after about December 1971/January 1972. It is, apparently, not clear if the full vinyl top was offered for the entire 1972 production run. 69.7% of 1972 Rivieras had factory vinyl tops. In 1973, only the sport or landau style vinyl top was offered and were installed on 81% of Rivieras. Jim Vesely ROA # 7437 BCA # 39477

Yes, the boattail design was envisioned by Bill Mitchell on a smaller vehicle, closer to the A-Special used on the Grand Prix. Unfortunately, for financial considerations, GM insisted that its middle body section be based on the new full-size B body platform. Mitchell said "What hurt the boattail was to widen it. It got so wide a speed boat became a tug boat." Jim Vesely ROA # 7437 BCA # 39477

Nice photos Ed, John and Steve. It is a cool car. Well done. Jim Vesely ROA #7437

Randy, I believe you are referring to Mike Trom. As you indicated, he is a V-8 Buick member. Mike's e-mail is listed as mrtromm@yahoo.com. He has said that he does reproduction window stickers for 1959 and 1963-1974 Buicks. Mike did two window sticker reproductions for me. First-rate job, easy to deal with and fast turn-around. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Paul, A very generous offer. I would very much like the stud type mirror. Kindly contact me with/for shipping information. Thank you very much! Jim Vesely

Hi Paul, I am interested in one of the mirrors. From the images, it appears the reflective surfaces are in very good condition. Hope this is an accurate statement? Please let me know the price you are asking for whatever mirror(s) is now available. Thank you. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437.

Kev, Very sharp color on your '65! Thank you for sharing. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

I have been pleased with the quality of floor mats produced by ACC. They were purchased several years ago. ACC has been pleased to send out samples of the carpets/mats for color match on request. On at least one occasion another vendor selling ACC products, shipped directly from ACC, has been less expensive than ordering directly from ACC. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Kevin, Thank you for correcting me regarding the 1970 LeSabre and mentioning the Estate Wagon. I was basing my information on the 1968 and 1969 Buick Features albums which indicate that the chrome plated wheels were not available in those years on the LeSabre nor the Electra 225. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Ed, The correct center cap for a rim code 853 rally wheel is, definitively, the fluted cone style cap. The fluted cone style cap on an 853 wheel will not contact the fender skirt of a 1970 Electra 225. As you have indicated, rally wheels were an option on full size Buicks. However, as alluded to by John above, I do not believe they were a 1970 factory option on the Electra 225 nor the LeSabre. I am nearly certain that, in the 1970 full-size lineup, only the Wildcat and, of course, the Riviera were available with the V-2 chrome plated (so-called rally or rallye wheel) option. This could be verified by someone with the 1970 Buick Features album. Nevertheless, the chrome plated wheels of both rim codes 853 and 895 are often seen (and, in my opinion, look great especially the 853 wheels) on 1970 Electra 225's as well. Rim code 853 is the factory option wheel on the 1970 Wildcat and Riviera models. Hope this helps. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Congratulations on your purchase. Stunning 63! To quote Jason Zerbini: "Buy Once - Cry Once" "The Quality remains long after the price is forgotten" Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Congratulations Brian. Great looking Buick! Well deserved. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Felix, A passenger door mirror was a dealer, not factory, option. They are the same for 1968 and 1969, fit all Buick models of those years and have flat glass. The mirrors come up from time to time on eBay. The NOS ones will typically sell for several hundred dollars. Used, of course, go for less depending on condition. They were reproduced a few years back although I understand the mirrors are no longer available as such. They are the mirror image (pardon the pun) of the standard, non-remote, driver door mirror. They do look somewhat different from the remote driver door mirror as the remote left hand mirror has a thicker housing in order to accommodate the swivel glass. Hope this helps. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Neat picture! I believe this photograph is of the Marina City Parking Garage on State Street along the north bank of the Chicago River in Chicago, IL. Marina City, completed in 1964, is a well-known building in Chicago. It includes twin corncob-like concrete structures. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

According to Darwin Falk's Options Not Included: 1968 Interior in the Jan/Feb 2009 Riview: The change from the small hard plastic door pull to the long vinyl door pull strap occurred in early 1968. This would fit with the data plate indicating a build in the fourth week of November 1967. A total of 4.8% of 1968 Rivieras were ordered with headrests. Of these, 1.7% had the headrests as a stand-alone (perhaps the term sit-alone would be more appropriate) option. The rest of the 4.8% of 1968 Rivieras with headrests were ordered with the recliner option which included the headrests. Darwin gives a further breakdown in the article for the various interior types. Front shoulder harnesses were optional prior to 1/1/68. Thereafter they were standard. 0.7% of 1968 Riviera were ordered with rear shoulder harnesses. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

Ed, I believe the 802 wheels will fit. This is further substantiated by the ROA article entitled IDENTIFICATION & APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR CHROME "ROAD WHEELS" (the RIVIEW, Vol. 7 No 6) where it states "Basically any wheel from 64-70 (Styles I, II, II-DB) can be used on any Riv from 64-70 unless the car has disk brakes... I would submit that the brake drums are similar, if not the same, between the Riviera and the Electra. The correct center cap is available from Mitch Romanowki at http://www.buickcenters.com. It is the cone style cap, his model #66-E. I hope this helps. Thank you. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437

The ROA, Buicks.net and Hot Rod Reference.com list the casting number for the 1968 400/430 intake manifold as 1383438. Team Buick lists 1383438 and 1386681. Possibly early and late 1968 intake manifolds were used? I have not found a casting number in the 1968 Buick Chassis Service Manual although do not have access to a master parts manual. I would appreciate definitive information on the 1968 big block casting number/numbers if possible. Thank you. Jim Vesely BCA # 39477 ROA # 7437