NC1968Riviera 1,121 Posted November 5, 2018 We drove The Aqua Zephyr to the NC Cotton Festival Car Show in Dunn, NC this past weekend. We took home a "Best Original" class trophy, which was completely unexpected! 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chimera 505 Posted November 5, 2018 Sweet Trophy! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivman 555 Posted November 5, 2018 17 hours ago, NC68Riviera said: We drove The Aqua Zephyr to the NC Cotton Festival Car Show in Dunn, NC this past weekend. We took home a "Best Original" class trophy, which was completely unexpected! Congrats Mike!!! Very NICE! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivdrivn 443 Posted November 21, 2018 Took in another stray that needed a good home 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JZRIV 1,330 Posted November 21, 2018 71/72 GS?? More pics! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivdrivn 443 Posted November 21, 2018 2 hours ago, JZRIV said: 71/72 GS?? More pics! 78K all original including paint. Seems to run pretty good 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbinator 486 Posted November 21, 2018 Fixing my dash in my 63. Got to get the color right 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NC1968Riviera 1,121 Posted November 23, 2018 I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving! I am thankful for family (Including grandsons x 4), my job, and my Riviera! :-) + I saw this online somewhere. I thought it was pretty cool. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NC1968Riviera 1,121 Posted November 23, 2018 On 11/21/2018 at 4:36 PM, Red Riviera Bob said: Fixing my dash in my 63. Got to get the color right Your pad looks like a frosted cake! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbinator 486 Posted November 24, 2018 11 hours ago, NC68Riviera said: Your pad looks like a frosted cake! Yes Sir, it takes a lot of “cake” to get the dash look the right way. The pure white patches are fills in the missing foam rubber divots. The stuff works good.I believe I bring “ home “ the right texture and look. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crowvet 53 Posted November 26, 2018 Just picked this one up this weekend, having a blast tinkering and repairing. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbinator 486 Posted November 28, 2018 On 11/25/2018 at 9:31 PM, crowvet said: Just picked this one up this weekend, having a blast tinkering and repairing. A very fine good looking automobile. Hope it all pans out for a great acquisition. RRB 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crowvet 53 Posted November 28, 2018 Thank you, hoping so... Needs a little work, but hoping I can stay in it's value range. Parts seem to be expensive and harder to find compared to what my Corvette was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbinator 486 Posted November 28, 2018 Crowvet, I would think Corvette parts readily available, but pricey. When I bought my 63 Riv it was solid, but needed some new parts. Probably not as many parts as I put on, but I went ahead and I’m fixing the car the way I want. Things like carb rebuild, master cylinder rebuild, new brakes lines and wheel cylinders, shoes, all new upholstery from Clark’s Corvair, new radials, and the list can go on. ‘I buy most everything I CAN GET from a gent named Gene Garnere in Philadelphia, PA. His prices are within the scope of reason. Sometimes the price is a little high and sometimes the price is a little low. One thing I will say he is reliable and has most everything you need. No one had a firewall rubber grommet for Freon hoses for my AC- Gene had the grommet for a token price of $10.00. I shopped it thinking Gene would not have it, but he did. Gene’s number is 610-359-8901. Good luck and have fun. If, you are not a member of the Riviera Owners Association sign up.Great folks who know Rivieras. RRB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RivNut 3,062 Posted November 28, 2018 Daryle, You are not the only person to think a Riviera is a great looking car and would be a joy to own only to find out that when it comes to restoring one, they're not like a Mustang, Camaro, Chevelle, or Corvette, for which entire cottage industries have popped up. Because of the limited numbers built to begin with, and the fact that it's taken years for them to get into the spotlight, any parts reproduced are few and far between. So we salvage what we can and learn to be creative. There are lot of parts that are common to other Buick models and GM cars in general. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crowvet 53 Posted November 30, 2018 On 11/28/2018 at 7:15 AM, Red Riviera Bob said: Crowvet, I would think Corvette parts readily available, but pricey. When I bought my 63 Riv it was solid, but needed some new parts. Probably not as many parts as I put on, but I went ahead and I’m fixing the car the way I want. Things like carb rebuild, master cylinder rebuild, new brakes lines and wheel cylinders, shoes, all new upholstery from Clark’s Corvair, new radials, and the list can go on. ‘I buy most everything I CAN GET from a gent named Gene Garnere in Philadelphia, PA. His prices are within the scope of reason. Sometimes the price is a little high and sometimes the price is a little low. One thing I will say he is reliable and has most everything you need. No one had a firewall rubber grommet for Freon hoses for my AC- Gene had the grommet for a token price of $10.00. I shopped it thinking Gene would not have it, but he did. Gene’s number is 610-359-8901. Good luck and have fun. If, you are not a member of the Riviera Owners Association sign up.Great folks who know Rivieras. RRB Thank you for the information, The Corvette was pricey but didn't require near the research to find. I figure I need about 2 or $3000 on the minor stuff, to make it a pretty nice driver/ show and shine quality. It is the paint that is going to be the killer. But, it will get done and I am like you I will probably keep going until it is perfect. The Corvette is to the point that there is nothing more I can do, and that somewhat bores me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crowvet 53 Posted November 30, 2018 On 11/28/2018 at 9:20 AM, RivNut said: Daryle, You are not the only person to think a Riviera is a great looking car and would be a joy to own only to find out that when it comes to restoring one, they're not like a Mustang, Camaro, Chevelle, or Corvette, for which entire cottage industries have popped up. Because of the limited numbers built to begin with, and the fact that it's taken years for them to get into the spotlight, any parts reproduced are few and far between. So we salvage what we can and learn to be creative. There are lot of parts that are common to other Buick models and GM cars in general. Thanks Ed, I definitely am not unhappy with my purchase. This seems to be a great car, I was going to sell it for a profit, but it is possibly the nicest driving old car I have ever drove. Not a drop of wind noise or rattles..... Gotta keep it. Besides it is my two adult boys favorite car and they are pumped up as well. Really enjoying everyone here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crowvet 53 Posted November 30, 2018 On 11/4/2018 at 7:16 PM, NC68Riviera said: We drove The Aqua Zephyr to the NC Cotton Festival Car Show in Dunn, NC this past weekend. We took home a "Best Original" class trophy, which was completely unexpected! Congrats, Car looks great. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbinator 486 Posted November 30, 2018 4 hours ago, crowvet said: Congrats, Car looks great. Another outstanding recognition for the Aqua Zephyr. Good job! RRB 5 hours ago, crowvet said: Thank you for the information, The Corvette was pricey but didn't require near the research to find. I figure I need about 2 or $3000 on the minor stuff, to make it a pretty nice driver/ show and shine quality. It is the paint that is going to be the killer. But, it will get done and I am like you I will probably keep going until it is perfect. The Corvette is to the point that there is nothing more I can do, and that somewhat bores me. Daryle, paint is one item I’m satisfied with how it looks on my exterior. I’m far from even being conversant on the many options on auto exterior paint. One shop just threw out a figure of $15000 to paint my car. I think the manager of the shop wanted to get rid of me. Fifteen thousand just seems like a lot of money for a paint job. RRB 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crowvet 53 Posted November 30, 2018 4 hours ago, Red Riviera Bob said: Another outstanding recognition for the Aqua Zephyr. Good job! RRB Daryle, paint is one item I’m satisfied with how it looks on my exterior. I’m far from even being conversant on the many options on auto exterior paint. One shop just threw out a figure of $15000 to paint my car. I think the manager of the shop wanted to get rid of me. Fifteen thousand just seems like a lot of money for a paint job. RRB I paid 10,000 on my Corvette in 2005. And I thought that was a lot. I did get a lot for that money though. It was totally stripped inside and out. I am not taking the Riviera to that level, I simply want the minor body work it needs and a respray. More of a car to enjoy and not be so picky with. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbinator 486 Posted November 30, 2018 Makes plenty of sense to me. RRB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivdrivn 443 Posted December 1, 2018 It’s been many years since I had a Corvette in the fleet 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PWB 494 Posted December 1, 2018 4 hours ago, Rivdrivn said: It’s been many years since I had a Corvette in the fleet Collectors dream come true. Those vogues are just royalty on the convertible. Whats new on your boat tail? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivdrivn 443 Posted December 2, 2018 16 hours ago, PWB said: Collectors dream come true. Those vogues are just royalty on the convertible. Whats new on your boat tail? The boat tail is tucked in for the winter up north. I’m enjoying the convertible in Florida for now 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PWB 494 Posted December 2, 2018 (edited) 6 hours ago, Rivdrivn said: The boat tail is tucked in for the winter up north. I’m enjoying the convertible in Florida for now Simply supreme. I can remember having a helluva time trying to find the chrome wheels (rash free) in the 90's! Never did happen Edited December 2, 2018 by PWB (see edit history) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
