steelman

At this point I only have the grilles mounted to the fenders, without the lenses. There is no impact to the light level at all that way. The grilles are far enough away from the bulbs that they have no impact. My stock lenses are not in very good shape, so I haven't tried using them yet. Keep in mind that the front of my car is very low, so unless you get down really low, you can't see these lights. I tried to keep them inside the edge of the fender for just this reason. These pictures were taken laying on my garage floor so I could get pictures of the installed lights. That's why I called them phantom headlights, as you have to look really hard to see them at all. I have some pictures in my other computer taken with the lights on I will post later.

Ed has asked for more information on the headlight conversion I did on my 63. I did not take enough pictures or keep notes when I did this because I still wasn't sure I could make this work, so this is not a how-to. Just a few facts related to what I did. This started when I added the billet grille, thus forcing the relocation of the headlights to the fender pods where they should have been. I tried using the stock 5 1/2 inch round headlights, but there just isn't enough vertical space between the bumper and the top of the fender for two lights. Tried 67 Lemans and even 65 Fairlane (yes Ford) mounting brackets, but couldn't get them close enough together to work. I also tried single lights, but there was too much room and this looked bad. What the pictures below reflect are headlights from a 92 Pontiac Grand Prix installed in the fender pods of a 63 behind the fender grilles. These lights are small rectangular halogen bulbs. They are 2 1/4 x 5 1/2. The nice thing about the Grand Prix lights are they are self contained in a bucket with adjusters that are removed from the car as assemblies. There are 4 different assemblies in this car as they are each different right to left and for high and low beam. Make sure to get the plugs and about 2 feet of wire from the Grand Prix at the Pull a Part. You will need it too. The assembly pictured is an extra left hand low beam I had handy. To mount these in the Riviera, I used the low beam on top and turned the high beam housing upside down under it. The bottoms of these assemblies are flat, so that put the two flat mounting surfaces together. There are notches in the lens retainer that line up with the notches on the side of the bulb. To turn the high beam light back right side up (in the upside down assembly), these notches must be made in the other side of the lens retainer. This sheetmetal is fairly thin, so this was done in a few minutes with a file. I used 1/8 x 1 steel strap bent into an L to mount the assemblies to the inner fender of the car. The L is turned with one leg down and the other horizontal. I mounted one assembly above and one below, with a bracket on each edge of the light. Aligning existing holes gave me the 1 1/2 inch stagger face to face of the lights I wanted. Some hole reaming is required, but you end up with common holes on side and 2 on the other. I would love to give you dimensions for the brackets, but I don't remember them. Either 5 1/2 or 6 on each leg, I think. This gives an overall assembly of about 6 inches wide and about 8 inches tall to go in each fender. They are tight, but will go in. Holes were drilled into the inner fender to mount the brackets below the lower light assembly. Another bracket was made to bolt to the existing mounting tab on the low beam assembly and to the small sheetmetal brace at the top of the fender. I need to add a similar brace to the bottom, as the top is solid enough, but the high beam is just a little shakey going down the road. The 4 on Bright relay is from Painless Wiring and is intended for a 88-98 Chevy pickup. Part #30802, about $40 from O'Reillys or you can order direct from Painless. This relay turns all 4 bulbs on when you hit bright. The parklights/turnsignals are from Kool Rides. These are 1 1/4 x 1 1/2 self contained amber lens 3 wire lights that I mounted behind the grille with a simple Z bracket from existing bolts in the radiator support. These almost disappear behind the billet grille when not on, and that is what I wanted them to do. I am sure I left some stuff out, but I will try to answer questions if I can.

No problem, Ed. I will start a new post with this info later this week.

Looking good, Nick. I tweaked on mine some more this weekend. I considered 65 sheetmetal, but stayed with the 63. Decided I would have to change the entire front sheetmetal doghouse. I eventually went to 92 Pontiac Gran Prix headhights mounted behind the stock 63 grilles, similar to what you had at one time. Finished all my aiming and installed a relay switch which will turn on all 4 bulbs on bright, but didn't update any pics. Here is quick picture right after installation. Continued good luck.

Keith, here is couple of my 63. Wheels are Billet Specialties GP-47s. 17x7 in the front and 17x8 in the rear with a 255/55/17 tire. Plenty of room for these in the wheelwell. These wheels are not a shelf item but are custom made to order. There are a few pit falls to installing custom wheels on an early Riv. I made a rather detailed report on custom wheels about 6-8 months ago or longer. Should still be in the archives. If you can't find it send me a PM and I will give you more info. I also have a rather extensive picture collection of early Rivs I saved while deciding on my wheels. I can share these also if you like. Let me know if you want more info. Good luck.

The Riviera was not an option when I bought my wheels. Must be a new addition. Good place to do business with if you need wheels. They treated me very well.

Not sure this was the right way or not, but here is what I did. I made an offset spacer to between the seat and the power seat mounting frame. Power seat frame bolts to the floor as normal. New plates bolt where the seat was factory mounted. New holes were drilled about 3" back and the seat mounted to the new holes. Not hard. Make sure to use at least 1/4" plate as these will cantilever off the back of the seat frame. I am 6'-4 and about 350, so I used 3/8" plate. Not sure if I can get a picture of what I did or not, but I can try. Hope this helps.

Like most of the rest of the members on this forum, I have liked these cars all my life. First generation Rivieras have always had that going fast look, even sitting still. This car is designed like George Trosley drew most of his cars in Cartoons, just ready to leap off the page at you. I always loved the look of first generation Rivieras, but they were always too expensive for my meager budget. Two years ago, I was working a building project in Las Vegas and decided I needed something to tinker with out there in my free time. I decided I wanted a first generation Riviera or a boattail. I had left all my toys at home (Oklahoma City), and wanted something to work on in Vegas. One weekend when I was back home, a friend asked me to go with him to look at a 55 Chevy hardtop a friend of a friend had for sale. We headed out (always with my trailer in tow) to southern Oklahoma to look at the 55. We looked the car over for a few minutes, but we knew it wasn't the right car. Sitting in the corner of the same barn was a 63 or 64 Riviera. Half covered by a tarp and under several years of dust. So, being the car nut I am, I asked what the story on the Riviera was. It could be for sale, but he would rather sell the 55. My friend said he wasn't interested in this 55, but my friend here has been looking for a Riviera. Long story short, we took a 63 Riviera home that day instead of a 55 Chevy. Not in Las Vegas where I could work on it, but I did finally have a Riviera. I have now finished my Las Vegas project and am now back home working on a great 63 Riviera.

Jim Tash, I couldn't disagree more. I have a modified car and the reasons you stated are exactly why I am here. To seek help and advise from the guys that know these cars inside and out. I know modified cars are not the focus of this group, but I would like to say thank you for not excluding those of us who do not chose to own 100% box stock cars. Steve Owens Oklahoma City 63 Riviera

Pat, glad you like the wheels. I saw these on a Cadillac and knew then I had to have a set. I ordered everything from Newstalgia wheel in Chatanooga. They had a deal that if you bought four wheels and tires, mounting, balancing and shipping are free. I am very happy with these, but there were a few issues that had to be addressed. I will go through them here, and maybe save you some trouble. First, the wheels are Billet Specialties GTP-47, 17x7 in the front and 17x8 in the rear. Tires are Goodyear 235/55R17 and 255/55R17. These were a little expensive, but they were what I wanted. I do still have the stock aluminum drums on the front for now. These wheels have a dual bolt pattern, so the second pattern holes line up fairly well with the stock rivets. I had to grind the upper third of the rivets flush with the drums to get the wheels to seat properly. Now, for the real issues. If you order wheels from anybody, tell them they are for an early Riviera, not a Chevy pickup. Wheel suppliers assume that all 5x5 bolt patterns are for Chevy pickups. The standard size center hole for these wheels is 3 1/8", which works great for pickups, but not for us. We need a 3 3/8" center hole to clear the axles and hubs. This isn't a problem as these wheels are custom built to order (you won't find a set on the shelf) and they can cut whatever size center hole you need when they build them. As this is my first Riviera, I didn't know this at the time. The next issue is lug nuts. You cannot buy a 1/2"-20 left hand lug nut to fit these wheels. Anywhere. You either have to change out the driver side wheel studs or have lug nuts custom made. I had some made. I bought 10 7/16 lug nuts to fit the wheels and redrilled and retapped them to fit. Kind of a pain, but I wanted the wheels. I hope I haven't discouraged you, as these wheels do look good on a Riv, just wanted to give you the benefit not making the same mistakes I made. After all, that is what this forum is all about. If you still need more info, let me know. Steve Owens Las Vegas (me) Oklahoma City (my rides)

The key word in your question is "under". 8" wheels will fit on the front of your '64 with stock springs. These cars have what I call a nose high condition, even with the weight of a stock nailhead. Stock springs allow plenty of clearance for 8" wheels as the front tire is not up into the wheelwell or even to the fender lip. But when you say "under the front end" I no longer think stock height. I have my '63 bagged and 17x7's in the front. With the front bags fully inflated I am almost stock height. I can drive it with the springs down about 3" from stock, but I am running a tall tire. Anything lower than that and it will rub, even with some slight clearancing of the front fender lips. Your V6 may take enough weight off the front so as this will not be an issue, but I am not sure. Removing that much weight off the nose, you may have to go to a lowered spring just to get to stock height. Depends on the look you want. Just my two cents worth, or maybe less in today's market. Steve Owens Las Vegas (me) Oklahoma City (my rides) '63 Riviera

As a follow up to lrlforfun, I happened across an even dozen right before Christmas. One '63, 5 64's and 6 65's, including one rough GS. All have been parked in a field since about 1976 (newest tag on them) and have not been touched. Most are complete, but being stored outside for thirty years is starting to take it's toll. Took two days to track down the owner, but he wouldn't even talk to me about these. NOT FOR SALE! DON'T CALL AGAIN! was the sum of our conversation. Breaks my pea-pickin' heart. But I haven't given up yet. Steve Owens '63 lo and slo Oklahoma City (my cars) Las Vegas (me)

I now have a few pictures and have been working on it for a while. Air bags, wheels, and billet grille. Just got the headlights re-installed over Thanksgiving. Need to get some front turnsignals in now. May use 65s, but haven't decided yet. Next chore is to replace the heater core and then it is off to the paint shop. Steelman Steve Owens Oklahoma City 63 lo and slo

8" wide wheels will work in the front if you haven't lowered it and don't plan to. I have the AirRide set up on mine and have 17x7's in the front and 17x8's in the back. I went with a fairly tall tire (235/55R17) in the front and these will rub if I try to drive it all the way down while turning, so tire size has a lot to do with this, too. I know a guy who has 20x8's in the front and his do not rub, but he has a really short tire (I do not know the size for sure). A quick word of warning about aftermarket wheels I had to learn the hard way. Check the center hole diameter. Most aftermarket 5x5 wheels come with a 3 1/8" center hole for the hub/axle. These fit Chevrolet cars and trucks fine, but the Riviera uses a 3 5/16" center hub. I had to have my wheels machined to fit on my car. Also, the stock rivets on the front hubs will have to be ground off to get an aluminum wheel to seat properly, if the factory rivets are still in place. Just my two cents worth. Steve Owens 63 low and slow Oklahoma City

Try Greyhound. I have had a lot of success using the bus. Size and weight limits apply, but a dash will fit into both. You have to have someone take it to the bus station on that end and pick it up on yours, but it considerably cheaper than UPS or FEdEx.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whalerman03</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I found one last year...its in and works well... there were a few on the web at various parts establishments... Napa was one..Car stuff... </div></div> Don't count on these places having a '63 booster in stock. All told me they had one when I needed it last fall, two even took my credit card number. Each came back about a week later to say they did not actually have a '63 booster in stock. I have been told a '64 will interchange, but the vacuum hookup is different, so it would not look 100% original. Just my two cents. Steve Owens Oklahoma City '63 low and slow.

Been considering this for my '63 also. If you look in e-bay express, there is also a 4 wheel disc brake conversion, if that intrests you. Steve Owens 63 Riviera

Looking at this pic, I think this was taken at the SEMA show in Vegas. I ordered 17's for my '63 the other day, but this looks like a waste of a good boattail. Speaking a car guy, I am glad these kids are working with old cars, I just don't like what they are doing to them. But now I sound like the guys that were my age now back in the early seventies when the street rod movement really took off. They didn't like what us young kids were doing to their beloved old tin. Will history repeat itself again? Steve Owens '63 Riv.

Code is 12B. Second week of Dec. 62 if I read this right. Glad to see you agree that the booster is still the issue. Had it rebuilt by City Brake and Clutch in OKC, where the car is. I have returned the booster both on and off the car to him and he says the booster is fine. Always had good luck at this place before, so I did trust him. I have tried before and since to buy a rebuilt unit both on-line and at the auto supply, all without success. Both Wagner and Borg Warner books at O'Reilly and Auto Zone don't even show a Riviera for '63. Starts with Rivieras in '64, and they have a different booster. Two different on-line stores told me they had a booster in stock, but had to refund my money when they were not in stock after all. Thanks again for confirming my suspicions. I was afraid there was some little knob you had to push before you could bleed the brakes that I didn't know about. Thanks again. Steve Owens Steelman '63 Riviera.

I am having an issue with the brakes on my 63. First a little history. Bought this car in July. Nice original 63 in need of a tune up, exhaust and paint. 2 of those three are taken care of now. Car is a 118,000 mile unrestored, unmolested, fairly high option car. #12685 of 40000 delivered Feb. 23, 1963 to the Texas panhandle town of Stinnett. Because Jim cares, it has the ribbed dash and the spare on the trunk floor. Unusual options are aluminum wheel covers, A/C, vacuum trunk release, and custom interior. Now the problem. Had the car running, driving and stopping great. Put it up in the air to do a check underneath, just to check bushings, ball joints, and tie rods, just to be sure nothing needed immediate attention. Set it back on the ground and had almost no brakes. Just that quick. Very low pedal, not returning with only about one inch of travel. Still would stop, just not as very well. To this point I have had the booster rebuilt, new master cylinder, new soft lines, checked for proper vacuum, and checked all the wheel cylinders. I have bled all the lines, in the proper order, until I have new fluid at all four points. But I still have the same issue. This is my first Riviera and first Buick for that matter. Is there something here this old Bowtie guy has missed? I have been reading this forum for a few months and you guys seem to have all the correct answers. I know I have a lot to learn about these cars, and you have taught me a lot already. Many thanks in advance.

Ed is absolutely right about the filters. WalMart killed Fram filters when they told Fram to build them cheaper and they could sell sell them to the masses cheaper. Cut a Wix and and a Fram apart and you can see the difference. Good note to all. Thanks, Ed.

Several are on Ebay now being parted. Look under auto parts and search 63-65 Riviera.

Several are on Ebay now being parted. Look under auto parts and search 63-65 Riviera.

No pics yet, but just bought my first Riv 3 weeks ago. I have always been a 55-57 Chevy guy, but while looking at a 55 the other day, this 63 Riv caught my eye. He has had it in the corner of his shop since 83 going to restore it and just didn't get to it yet. I made an offer and the next thing I know I am loading a Riviera on my trailer instead of the Bel Air I came to see. Runs great now, and gets new exhaust tomorrow. Plans call for a mild lowering, wheels and then new paint. Then lots of cruising. I have learned a lot about my car just reading this forum. I know I have a lot more to learn, and know where to come to find the answers to my questions. Thanks,guys.