Earliest Documented 1965 Riviera

[Guest rusty_bucket]

Hi

My father and I have recently finished a refurb on our 3rd 65 Rivi. It is a nicely optioned red car with deluxe interior and some nice options. I noticed that the Vin is very low... #118. Is there a registry of cars? I'd like to know if there are any lower serials than mine still around?<br><br>

<img width="500" src="http://www.thepainter.org/riviera/photo.JPG" alt=""/><br><br>

<img width="500" src="http://www.thepainter.org/riviera/photo1.JPG" alt=""/><br><br>

<img width="500" src="http://www.thepainter.org/riviera/photo2.JPG" alt=""/><br><br>

<img width="500" src="http://www.thepainter.org/riviera/photo3.JPG" alt=""/><br><br>

<img width="500" src="http://www.thepainter.org/riviera/photo4.JPG" alt=""/><br><br>

<img width="500" src="http://www.thepainter.org/riviera/photo5.JPG" alt=""/><br><br>

<img width="500" src="http://www.thepainter.org/riviera/photo6.JPG" alt=""/><br><br>

[Guest jonly]

that's beautiful!

[RivNut]

Comment then question.

Comment: VIN numbers might be sequential for all models. What is the FB number on the Fisher Body data plate - on the firewall above the brake booster. That would indicate the production number for the Riviera line. At least that's the way it is for the 63 and 64 years.

Question: What kind of wheels are on this car? (Mfg., make, and size)

Thanks,

Ed

[Guest rusty_bucket]

The Body Serial number (FB) is 1777

So I think it was the 1777th Buick made that year

Build Date Code is 08C

I think that the VIN numbers are sequential for each model and the FB number is sequential across all models.

Unfortunately, I don't know the make on the wheels. I will get my pop to go see if they are marked. They came with another Riv we bought and he resisted at first, but I think they look great on the car...they look like classic Hot Wheels wheels.

Edited November 19, 2010 by rusty_bucket (see edit history)

[1965rivgs]

Hi Rusty,

Both the VIN and Fisher body number are spread across several different models for `65. Would be cool to see a pic of your Fisher Body plate. No doubt your car body was manufactured in the first week of production.

Tom Mooney

[Guest Vetter]

Wheels look like something from American Racing's Torq Thrust line. Although there are several other companies with something similar. I have Torq Thrust D's on mine

[Patrick91914]

I maintain the 1965 Riviera GS Registry. I also try to capture non-GS cars as well. You say that your VIN, #118 is low, but I'm not clear what that number represents. The lowest number GS I've recorded is 494475H905960 built 1st week of November 1964. Are you saying that your car's VIN is 494475H900118?

Post your data plate info so we can see.

See Registry contact info below in my signature.

Hi

My father and I have recently finished a refurb on our 3rd 65 Rivi. It is a nicely optioned red car with deluxe interior and some nice options. I noticed that the Vin is very low... #118. Is there a registry of cars? I'd like to know if there are any lower serials than mine still around?

Edited November 26, 2010 by Patrick91914 (see edit history)

[Guest rusty_bucket]

Yes, The car was made the first week of August, 1964

Vin: 494475H900118

Engine stamp is 5H900118

[Patrick91914]

Yes, The car was made the first week of August, 1964

Vin: 494475H900118

Engine stamp is 5H900118

That is low. Post some pics of your body plate. I can't imagine there being a lower number that's surviving.

[Guest rusty_bucket]

Here's the vin plate on the door. The dataplate on the firewall has been painted over and won't show up in the pictures until I get a light out there. Should be able to this weekend.

[1965rivgs]

Wow!! That is early! Keep in mind the date on the Fisher Body tag is the date the body was assembled, not the week the entire car was assembled. Fisher, or Flint assembly, could have been "banking" the bodies awaiting the start of assembly. Cool..like to see the Fisher Body plate. Your Riv should have two silver horizontal bars thru the middle of the horn bar, that`s one of the tipoffs of an early car.

Tom Mooney

[BadgerRivFan]

Your Riv should have two silver horizontal bars thru the middle of the horn bar, that`s one of the tipoffs of an early car.

Non-wood wheel... right Tom?

[1965rivgs]

yes

[gungeey]

Wow!! That is early! Keep in mind the date on the Fisher Body tag is the date the body was assembled, not the week the entire car was assembled. Fisher, or Flint assembly, could have been "banking" the bodies awaiting the start of assembly. Cool..like to see the Fisher Body plate. Your Riv should have two silver horizontal bars thru the middle of the horn bar, that`s one of the tipoffs of an early car.

Tom Mooney

Now THAT"S some real info! Hey Tom: Don't go selling that BurgundyVT car without telling me 1st! Steve