huffreport Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Hi all,I was a little reluctant to post this, but I think there may be at least a few of you who haven't seen this... I attended the Grand National Roadster Show this weekend, and was pleasantly surprised by this wild custom/concept recreation that showed up. I actually liked the presentation as much as the car itself.I thought some of you might enjoy seeing these photos....Enjoy!Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kaber Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I really enjoy looking at this car. There is a ton of work there and that display is very cool! Thanks for posting. Was the Yellow "Rivision" there as well?Kaber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Thanks for sharing Kevin. That is one sharp looking custom car, and the display is very well done !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanZverina Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I realize that we may have many 'original only' fans on this forum, but IMO a high-quality custom is always a welcome addition. Tastes will always vary, but there's no denying an outstanding execution such as these photos show. Thanks for sharing, Kevin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivgs Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Kevin,As long as it is a Riviera, I am cool with it. Great presentation with the drafting desk and photos. It looks to me they used a 68-69 Ford Torino or Mercury Montego fast back roof on the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffreport Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 It looks to me they used a 68-69 Ford Torino or Mercury Montego fast back roof on the car.Yes, after looking at some Torino photos, I think you may be right. It certainly has a big back window, which Ford was known for.I did a little more research, and I found the builder's facebook page.Here are some BEFORE and AFTER photos of the car:https://www.facebook.com/622670661151286/photos/pb.622670661151286.-2207520000.1422504261./768142383270779/?type=3&theaterKevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffreport Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 And, if you want to see the build/progress photos, go HERE:https://www.facebook.com/pages/River-City-Speed-Custom/622670661151286?sk=photos_stream&ref=page_internal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 How much credit did the builder give to the original GM designers for the concept? It also looks a lot like a '66 Pontiac Grand Prix. Especially the wheels and tail light treatment. JZRIV posted a picture of his '66 GP and it looks a lot like the original GM concept as well.The Facebook build is interesting to look through.Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffreport Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 How much credit did the builder give to the original GM designers for the concept? Well, they actually did specifically call out Bill Mitchell in the "Special Thanks" section of their display.... In fact, they did that quite prominently as the final name, as the one we would most likely notice. That has to count for something. I can respect that. The other names are most likely lost to history. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffreport Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 Was the Yellow "Rivision" there as well?It was... I took only one photo. This car is so well documented there was no reason to take more... I like it. But, not as much as the fastback. That's just me. Color is everything, isn't it? Can you imagine how ridiculous the silver car would look in that yellow? The yellow car wouldn't be quite as exciting in silver, either, would it?Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kaber Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 It was... I took only one photo. This car is so well documented there was no reason to take more... I like it. But, not as much as the fastback. That's just me. Color is everything, isn't it? Can you imagine how ridiculous the silver car would look in that yellow? The yellow car wouldn't be quite as exciting in silver, either, would it?KevinThanks Kevin. I really like this car, the fabrication and the fact that he beats on it, are too cool! I agree the Fastback and this are vastly different in personality, that's what makes them both cool! You gotta love the fact that there were TWO high profile early Rivs at this great show! Thanks for posting! Kaber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 What an outstanding vision and then skill the team had to make this fastback concept come to life. Can even imagine the cost. Thanks for posting the variety of detailed pics Kevin. It really is an awesome design Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffreport Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) ...... You gotta love the fact that there were TWO high profile early Rivs at this great show! Thanks for posting! KaberWell, it was actually better than that. There may have been only two high profile Rivs there, but there were plenty of other less notable Rivieras on display, and they were all wonderful, as you'll see in these other photos. It was really nice to see these Buicks getting the respect they deserve. This seemed to be a big year at the GNRS for Rivieras. Enjoy! Edited January 30, 2015 by huffreport (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kaber Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Well, it was actually better than that. There may have been only two high profile Rivs there, but there were plenty of other less notable Rivieras on display, and they were all wonderful, as you'll see in these other photos. It was really nice to see these Buicks getting the respect they deserve. This seemed to be a big year at the GNRS for Rivieras. Enjoy!WOW!!!! I had know idea there were that many Riv's at the show! Thank you so much for posting those pictures. I had seen some pictures of some of those cars on a different site but didn't know they were all there!I like the Goldtop one! I love the fact they used the Buick Wheels. I was wondering about the significance of the Gibson Les Paul? I couldn't figure out why they wouldn't have used a Gibson Riviera Guitar!?!??! But, now that I know the name of the car, it makes perfect sense!Kaber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffreport Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share Posted February 1, 2015 I love the fact they used the Buick Wheels. I was wondering about the significance of the Gibson Les Paul? I couldn't figure out why they wouldn't have used a Gibson Riviera Guitar!?!??! But, now that I know the name of the car, it makes perfect sense!Kaber Yes, as for the guitar, by its appearance, I'm pretty sure this was a very early Les Paul. It had discolorations around the binding that you would only see on early models. The guitar itself was really just awesome, but I doubt there were all that many guys looking at the guitar. I love vintage guitars, and this one was spectacular. But, even having said that, it seemed almost a little out of place sitting there in front of this car. I only say that because not everyone is into old guitars.... I'm guessing it was sort of like his inspiration for the color on the Buick. That would make sense... I did a little research to see if I could find other references to the Les Paul, and I did find an old Custom Rodder article from about 2006 on this car. Interestingly, it looks like the car I saw in Pomona is in its second iteration.... The original build didn't go quite as far, as you'll notice in the engine photos. I don't know if the car is in the hands of a new owner who took it to the next level, or if this is just the same owner sinking more $$$ into it. Either way, it's very nice. I wish I could have looked underneath to see if the George Barris comment about this being something about "The Finest Riviera", was actually true. I'm guessing it is, otherwise he wouldn't be calling out all the details for the judges in the paperwork next to the car. You'll also notice he reverted back to stock wheels, at some point since the original 2006 build...Go here for the 2006 build:http://www.customrodder.com/features/0611cr_1963_buick_riviera/viewall.htmlHTH,Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 When I first saw reference to the guitar, I thought perhaps this car was Jimmie Vaughan's '63. http://www.hotrod.com/news/0905rc-rock-stars-cars-and-guitars-2/There are all sorts of pictures and articles about it if you Google it.Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now