MartyWorld Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 GGreetings all.I purchased a "1963 Buick Features Sales Book" which has info and pictures of available models and accessories.When looking at the Riviera section, I noticed the picture of the dash is different from the production model in respect to the gauges.The production model is:top, fuel gaugeleft, oil light and e brake lightright, temperature lightsbottom, amp lightThe prototype model is:top, fuel gaugeleft, amp lightright, oil light and assume e brake lightbottom, temperature gaugeOther Buick models have the same configuration. There is also a pictorialrepresentation of the gauges showing the same configuration with theexception of the temperature gauge, it states "temperature lights" which islocated at the bottom of the gauge cluster.Interesting...............has anyone noticed this before.Thanks,Marty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 I took a look at my '63 Owner's Manual and it shows a picture as your "production model" describes. But here's one I hadn't seen before and I'm posting this for everyone and especially Jim Cannon so he can research it. The picture of the instrument panel in the Owner's Manual shows a 140 mph speedometer with a plain dash. Makes me wonder if the 140 MPH speedo was planned from the beginning but for some reason they weren't available and the first models had to come off the production line with the speedometer for the Electra/Wildcat. ?????Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cannon Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Guys, sales literature is produced by the marketing department, not the engineering department. They are not constrained by facts. Don't get too hung up on differences found. Not everyone in Detroit was as particular about details as we are.Ed, look on page 1 of your Owners Manual. See if it is a second or third printing. Mine is the 1st printing and it shows 120 MPH speedo with a smooth dash in a couple of different places. It also shows the HVAC control knobs with thin vertical lines on their front face (not pebble finish) and the VIN tag as being inside the driver's door hinge pillar (not up on the cowl). Ed, see what it says in your owners manual pg 57 for ignition timing.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrlforfun Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 OK Riviera People: Does that mean that 63 Poverty caps were available on a 64? The picture of the white Riv in the big 64 sales album shows just that? Actually,the 63 caps have grown on me a bit. Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Ed, look on page 1 of your Owners Manual. See if it is a second or third printing. 2nd EditionMine is the 1st printing and it shows 120 MPH speedo with a smooth dash in a couple of different places. It also shows the HVAC control knobs with thin vertical lines on their front face (not pebble finish)On page 19, which shows the 140 mph speedometer with the plain dash, the knobs look flat; on pages 27, 28, and 29 which show the functions of the heat and a/c, the knobs have the vertical fins in them. and the VIN tag as being inside the driver's door hinge pillar (not up on the cowl).There are two references to the VIN tag being on the cowl. Ed, see what it says in your owners manual pg 57 for ignition timing.12 degrees B.T.C. @400 rpm* * vacuum advance disconnected It looks as if Buick was trying to keep the owners' manuals up to date with their production changes.Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheezeMan Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Since we are playing I-Spy... My first edition owners manual (not original to my April-built car) shows the shift quadrant lettering to the right of the shifter (pages 13, 14 and 19).Adding to what Jim was saying...It appears to me that some of the marketing materials and such were based upon an early prototype. Note in the attached photo that the shift quadrant lettering is to the right of the shifter, opposite of production versions. Also note the missing door lock buttons in both photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I have reason to believe that the '63 Riviera I had was an early model. I had a copy of the original title that was issued to the original owner. I think the original sale date on it noted Sept. 1962. Is there any reason to think I may be mistaken about the date. I'm sort of wondering now maybe I may have mistaken the date because of the above pictured note has a Sept. 62 date. I need to try to dig up some of my old registration docs to see if I can find the vin. and to see if perhaps the date first sold is also noted on them. I know I have photos of the car somewhere which may have early production features.I hope this doesn't look like I'm hi-jacking this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheezeMan Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Anything before the October 4th, 1962 introduction would be a mystery... can you post a pic of that title? Also, your date code and FB numbers would be very early ones. The earliest FB I know of is FB43, and that was for Silver Arrow I. Can you post pics of your data plate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I have to find the photos and docs. I sold the car over 15 years ago so that stuff is packed away somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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