'64 in Milwaukee

[MrEarl]

Anybody know this car or close enough to go check it out. I've learned that it does have some previously repaired rust so the "amateur restoration" bit scares me. Also, no AC. 

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/6227236022.html

[Pat Curran]

They have it listed as a 64 but I believe it is a 63.

[riv2x4]

I agree on the 63. About 90 minutes from me.

[RivNut]

The car is minimalistic.  Stndard interior, no tilt, no power windows, early production with probably the 120 mph speedo in the plain dash,  probably no power seats, and not that this would ever concern you in Athens, it does not have A/C.

 

The others before me have already ID'd it as a 63.  Does that mean there's a title problem?

 

Ed

[60FlatTop]

I always wanted to make a Riviera convertible. There are a few pictures online but not so nice. My plan always involved swapping a mid-'60's Skylark top and parts.

 

That could be a victim.

Bernie

[MrEarl]

Thanks guys, no problem with anything mentioned really except for the non AC. Also what '63 color would that be, I don't recognize it.  I had noticed that the year was wrong and had responded to the owner with that, the possible repaint color and other questions and concerns... no response.  I doubt I will pursue it further.

But still looking for that nice dependable driver for under $10K.

Thanks again!

[riv2x4]

Bernie, you know I want to do the same thing.  My research has found the mid 60's Skylark is the closest fit for the Riv.   The car should have been factory built.

[riv2x4]

Picts of factory design exercise.  Also NOM, should be silver.  What else is wrong, the ad isn't very clear on that?

[60FlatTop]

I have a stash of top removed cars. Those are nice. At $5500, if the car is solid, I would have no problem putting $3-4K into it for a conversion doing most myself.

 

Silver, not so much. I would go for a more Anglo color. I have a silver Park Ave convertible and too many times people have asked "Did I see you driving a Mercedes convertible?".

 

I would avoid the hard boot cover, as well. Many times I have written about the Bentley/RR flavor Bill Mitchel captured on the first series. I would carry the British theme into the folded top, using a cloth boot and, maybe, even letting the top stick up a bit, Corniche style. When you fake you have to fake the shortfalls.

 

Tuesday evening a friend of mine and I were having coffee and talking about doing a car with the embodiment of all our ideas. That would be just the ticket. I wouldn't cut up the car I have had for 40 years, but another...

 

My '48 Packard has a target on it and that last custom may come from that corner of the garage. I have been gathering a whole lot of Bugatti Galibier information and pictures. Those bulbous lines are beginning to look very similar.

 

Some collectible cars are expendable.

Bernie

[RivNut]

Cut it down into a convertible but make a removable fiberglass hardtop for it; like the early Corvettes had.

Edited July 26, 2017 by RivNut (see edit history)

[MrEarl]

3 hours ago, RivNut said:

The others before me have already ID'd it as a 63.  Does that mean there's a title problem?

 

You called it right Ed. He replied "You know, I think it is a '63 but the title says 64 and vin matches, I'm thinking it could have been a typo at some point or something"

 

On the subject of convertible first gen Rivieras. I am betting that Ned Nickles and Bill Mitchell  probably considered it but when they realized it would be hard to duplicate that razor edge roof of the hard top plus it would be totally lost when the top was down, the discussion was dropped. That razor edged roof of the first Rivieras was a strong design element in my opinion. As with the 54-56 Roadmasters french curved rear roof line. Without them they would be missing the wonderful design element that make them what they are.  

[riv2x4]

Or cut the current top so that it can be used as a one piece hardtop like the BMW's and some MB's had.

 

The engine in the ad is the wrong color, should be silver not green.

[RivNut]

35 minutes ago, MrEarl said:

 

You called it right Ed. He replied "You know, I think it is a '63 but the title says 64 and vin matches, I'm thinking it could have been a typo at some point or something"

 

On the subject of convertible first gen Rivieras. I am betting that Ned Nickles and Bill Mitchell  probably considered it but when they realized it would be hard to duplicate that razor edge roof of the hard top plus it would be totally lost when the top was down, the discussion was dropped. That razor edged roof of the first Rivieras was a strong design element in my opinion. As with the 54-56 Roadmasters french curved rear roof line. Without them they would be missing the wonderful design element that make them what they are.  

The VIN for  63 should contain the letter J.  The model number for a Riviera would be 4700.  (Maybe 4747)  The engine code would be JT for a 401 (JW for a 425)  if the seller does post a picture of the data plate, I'll decode it for you.  That would also answer your question about paint.

 

There was a factory built 1963 convertible.  It employed a scissor type folding top.  I think the entire top disappeared under a hard boot. There should be pictures on the Web somewhere.

 

Ed

 

Found the blog:

http://reynolds1915.blogspot.com/2012/03/monday-miss-1963-riviera-convertible.html

 

 

Edited July 26, 2017 by RivNut (see edit history)

[jsgun]

Damn good looking car, especially for 5K. Around LA, 5K would get you a beat to death pile of parts. Engine compartment is surprisingly clean, makes me wonder if some rebuilding was done in the past. I wouldn't kick it out my driveway.

[jsgun]

They had the convertible idea down real good. They were able to catch that same long, lean look that the convertible thunderbirds had.

[whitewatersky]

that blog post is really interesting Ed.

 

Agree with the theory that about the loss of the true Riv styling.

 

Some cars are just right. I toyed with the idea of buying a convertible '70 Challenger but found that as much as I'd love a convertible, the hardtop was the only way to go. 

so that's what I got...

[NC1968Riviera]

I saw this Riviera convertible on Instagram today. 

[RivNut]

The top is close but doesn't carry off the original lines.  It also left a rise where the roof attaches to the rear valance.  The hard boot on the factory car blends this much nicer.

 

Everyone should Google "Riviera sun car and trailer" and look at this 65  convertible with a trailer made from a 65 front clip and 65 rear clip joined together to make a trailer. It includes complete instructions on how to  build the trailer.

Edited July 28, 2017 by RivNut (see edit history)