60FlatTop

Those Rivieras had GM E-bodies GM E platform - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . The list of shared models is pretty good. In this forum your best bet would be posting in the Reatta section. Bernie

That's Jethro! Bernie

Jared, In 1961 when I was about 13 this book showed up at our public library: I own a copy today because that book set the path of my life. American books like that were not common at the time and it was a true treasure. One page of the book stood out and affected me deeply. This one: I studied that picture as an impressionable youth and dreamed that I could work the same magic the owner of that Mercer did. At 13 I would have been well advised to figure out how to get enough money to buy his car rather than the time, money, and skill to duplicate his efforts. I have owned so many 1942 Roadmasters over the 50 intervening years, well although the grilles were changed and the names were different they were the same forlorn car. The 100 point restoration never materialized while the hundreds of little jobs I did on each accrued. However, I was never without a dream. I could always lean back from the grind and daydream about the future drives and places to go. I always enjoyed the privilege of ownership no matter what stage the progress had halted at. You can stand in a tent in Hershey or Pomona with another owner and discuss the intricacies of the part your $100 per year budget might acquire. No matter the condition, you are still a member of the elite group of owners. The study of the mechanics and aesthetic history and development can consume hours of pleasurable time. I recently spent 3 years doing that with a 1953 Jaguar; delighted with the experience, sold the unfinished project. How did I do? When I was 30 I bought a 15 year old Buick Riviera, my favorite car ever. Last year I bought a 1994 Impala SS. I bet I will be happy with that when it turns 50. None of the restoration projects panned out I just bought cars I liked that were in better shape and kept them. Now I have four cars that run and drive and are presentable. I can wash them, polish them, show them, but I don't dream about them. And looking back to the first daydream about that Mercer, I might need that the most. And there is this Lincoln Cosmo convert begging to come home with me: Bernie

Thanks, Rob. I am honored that you like them. I always enjoy those casual old car pics like the old Main Street post cards. If I could get some of the club members cars it would make a nice book. Another book I have always wanted to write is one on the unintended use of cars. The large cars converted to trucks and tow vehicles during the '30's, the Doodle Bugs for farm and plowing; my grandparents had a 1920 Buick buzz saw when I was a kid. I would love a collection of pictures like that to work with. Here are a couple pictures I took on Main St., Saranac Lake, New York last year:

My Buick Chapter friend Scot comes from one of those little towns with a public square and a fountain. Scot swears he never put a box of soap power in the fountain. I am not so sure. The town is five miles west of me. Scot lives in the city 20 miles to the east so I like to tease him about the old cars in Holley, his home town. They are just parked on the square as natural as can be. Here is a pic I posted before: Then today another popped up: Must be the grease from Sam's Diner that attracts them. I have Publisher and some other software. If I had a bunch of pictures like this I could make a calendar or even a neat book. Contact me if you would like to contribute pictures you have of your car casually parked in town. If I get enough to make something salable I will send the profits to the McPherson College Restoration Program. Bernie

Sometimes things move slow around here. I just got my seat frames back from glass beading and painting with ValSpar satin black polyurethane. Bernie

That is a serious consideration. My wiring harness needed a few repairs and sprucing up. The wire ends were painted black, some terminals were loose, and the plugs needed real cleaning with lacquer thinner. I took the whole harness out and unwrapped each section. Lisle tools makes a neat little terminal release tool: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_22984255-P_x_x?cm_mmc=ACQ-_-Google-_-enhancedRM-_-22984255&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=22984255&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}#utm_source=acq&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=enhancedrm&utm_content=22984255 It lets you get the ends off easily. Most of the terminals are available at NAPA. I replaced the purple #12 wire to the starter. I ordered a short length from Rhode Island Wire Works to get the right color. The Apple Green temperature sensor wire was cooked from engine heat. I couldn't get the correct color so I repaired it with a section of yellow painted green with Krylon. Year One sells the non-adhesive wrapping tape for re-wrapping. I put about 6 finishing nails into a 2X6 that I held in a vise. Then I could slip the terminal end over the nails and keep the harness tight while I re-wrapped. You work from the ends inward. Pay attention to the way the tape stretches out the branches and wraps back. I was real happy with the results and that was almost 15 years ago; still looking good. I still have a stock of terminals if you find any no longer available. Now, not that a ex-Navy Boilerman would challenge an AF Physicist............... well, you know I have a big smile right now, don't you. Bernie

Ummmm, nope. The .wav file link I attached was much less explicit and a whole lot more fun. At least they said the were sorry. I guess I won't do that again. Bernie

Damn, works on this end. Bernie

I have been planning a rechrome of my bumper. I just get soooooooo scared to let it out of my sight.

That is the car my mind's eye saw. And I expected the excitement of the "hunt" and a learning curve while I skimmed the cash into my tin can. Thanks for all the prompt answers. Bernie

I just have to put the famous quote here : http://www.rosswalker.co.uk/tv_sounds/sounds_files_20100522_6746301/beverly_hillbillies/hotdog.wav Bernie

I have been thinking about buying a teen's or '20's Large Series Buick. I have looked through my personal literature and searched online to find a nice clean and easy to read list of the model lines for that era. Does anyone have such a list or a link to one I may have missed. I am looking for the equivalent of a Model 90 of the 1930's. Bernie

Flat top duce, hmmmmm. How about a Flat Top Electra 221. I always thought mine should have been called a Super. Bernie

I lost my ignition key about 20 years ago. This reminded me I better take care of that sometime. Ohhhh, the urgency of things in my life..... Bernie

I'm pretty sure I saw that car on Ebay in the $10,00 to $12,000 range. Lots of rare and original hype as I remember. Geez, up here in the wilds of western New York they are just parked in small towns as natural as can be. I saw one Sunday. Bernie

You reminded me of a picture I had stashed away. With all the talk about greening and sustainability maybe the natural look would turn heads in the future:

Thanks, John. It is going to be up there with the $17 Riviera wood wheel horn bar I bought in 1979. I think it was the last NOS one on the factory shelf. Bernie

How's this?

I only get that feeling from polishing the front fender peaks on the Riviera.......... well the concave hood panels, too. And the indentations on the quarter panel scoops. That flat edge by the quarter window that flares into the rear quarter panels has a special feel under the polishing cloth, too. Then there is the razor edge beside the tail light and the sail panel...................................................... Bernie

"Restoring" a 1980's car can get pretty painful and frustrating. I am early on the curve at the depth of reconditioning with my convertible. Twenty years from now specific parts, electronic parts, and the general increased consumption of high fructose corn sirup products is going to make for real challenges for the old car leagues. This is the extent I am writing about: Today we had a bright spot, though. My Ebay automatic search landed me a set of boxed NOS aluminum wheels for the car: Just like the originals: I was going to have a mobile wheel service come in and refinish my original wheels when I mounted new tires. I got these for $100 each from Brian at his Neatcollectibles Ebay store. A pretty good deal. They will be well cared for for the next 30 or 40 years. Bernie

Over the last 35 years I have toyed with two modifications for my Riviera. Most damaging would be making it a convertible. I am very sure I could do it using '64 or '65 Skylark convertible parts. Second and a bit more reversible is the standard transmission. I have owned some 4 speed cars. I always had a torquey engine that made 1st gear almost useless. I found myself quite happy taking off in 2nd gear almost all the time. Knowing that, my choice for the Riviera would be a Chevy close ratio 3 speed. All the parts are still available and I think it could be done nicely for around $2500. Now, if Ed Roth was still around to draw my picture winding out in second gear with an extended shift lever I'd probably do it. (The standard, not the convertible.) Bernie

I'm all for some profit, even beyond a little. I still remember the day my High School business teacher told us about tangible and intangible goods. I knew what I wanted to sell that day. I just get tired of seeing the same Reserve Not Met time after time on Ebay. I will take my que from Star Trek and "Boldly ask the price no man has asked before." At least you know it. Believe me I don't begrudge anyone profit. Its the whole reserve thing. If someone spent time and effort to get me to look at a car; then told me the price was a secret, they will be having their next conversation with the guy who said "Make me an offer." I'm gone. I wasn't born cynical and opinionated, experts made me this way. Bernie

I remember seeing a car that met the reserve once on Ebay, really, I did. I remember a few years ago when Barnum & Ebayley announced they sold their millionth car. I think they had to list 10 million to do it. Maybe more. Bernie, reserved and seldom met.

1. The first check should be the fuel pressure. You should see 3-5 PSIG. 2. You can disconnect the fuel line at the carb and attach a small hand vacuum pump like a Myteevac. Use the brake bleeder bottle and just keep pumping and filling. Look for stoppage, dirt and grit, and the like; anything suspicious. I would run at least 4 or 5 bottles through. 3. Check your sending unit connections for cracked hoses and pinholes in the tubes. 4. You have fuel in the tank. Be sure it is more than 1/4 tank. My car runs out when the gauge reads 1/4. Bernie