Adding options to 1st Gen Rivs

[riv2x4]

Discussion on another thread got me wondering.  I'm guilty of this and I think many others are too. 

 

3 hours ago, KongaMan said:

That's also a good question with these armrests.  It's a cool option (I think it makes the back seat look nicer), but they seem to often appeal to those who are retroactively acquiring every factory doodad that was ever offered.

 

As a practical matter, how often will you have people in the back seat?  As a financial matter, the armrest alone now costs as much as I paid for my whole car.

 

So what have you added to your car?

 

I'll add my list later today, there's a bunch.

 

 

[KongaMan]

Since you're calling me out... 

 

My car is fairly well-optioned, so most of the big ones are already there.  I did add an AM/FM radio and a reverb unit.  I added the radio because I wanted FM for the devil music it offers. I added the reverb to see if it made it sound better.

 

I've got aluminum valve covers and 4-note horns, but they're not installed.  For some reason I always liked the tach, but there's no good place to mount it.  The rear armrest is neat, but the juice ain't worth the squeeze.  Things like purse hooks, etc. don't interest me at all.  I have no desire for power vents, but I briefly considered adding the switch plates and switches to control power door looks (until I did the math on how much that would cost).

 

A 2x4 setup and a posi are cool, but the market values them more than I do.  I would spring for a quick-ratio steering box if I could find one reasonably priced.  About the only substantive departure from plausibly original I'd consider is a beefier stabilizer bar.

 

I could do with a factory cup holder, though.  

[RivNut]

My 63 is very well equipped. I considered adding a rear window defroster to it, but then decided that 1) I'd never use it because I don't drive the car in the winter, and 2) my data plate and window sticker wouldn't support it. The defogger units themselves are fairly easy to find, the 63 switch is rare as hen's teeth.  Not worth it financially or esthetically. And yes, I bought it from the original owner and yes, he did install a purse hook - as well as electric trailer brakes, a welded on full hitch receiver, an auxiliary transmission coolers, and a full compliment of after market gauges. It also came with a set of floor mats and handy mats, and a "Buick" courtesy mirror clipped to the visor.

 

I've been collecting parts for years. I'd rather install them on my 64 than sell them then regret it.  My 64 will have it all sans a posi. BUT my data plate will not support it. If/when it comes time to sell it, I won't advertise it as "factory equipped." 

 

You have to ask yourself "Why do I need this. Am I trying to pull the wool over someone's eyes?" "Who am I trying to impress, myself or the other guy?"

 

Ed

 

 

[riv2x4]

I said I would add my additions and changes later do here goes. 

 

I have no idea what hubcaps were on it originally. When I purchased it the first time around 82 it had later model chrome Riviera wheels. Also had a bolt on hitch.  Only add on option I remember from then was the purse hook.  I sold it in 83 for tuition money and the owner for the next ten years added cornering lights, power antenna, switch and correct switch plate.  I repurchased it in 93 from the guy I sold it to and have added or have the following. Most were purchased in the early 00's.

 

Sold rally wheels and installed correct optional spoke hubcaps. Removed and sold the hitch.

 

Under the hood.  Added dual quad set up, alum rocker covers, 4 note horns, converted to dual master cylinder. I have a quick ratio steering box that needs to be rebuilt. Added the opticlean bottle. Upgraded alternator to 105 amps.

 

Interior.  Added am/fm radio and reverb.  Tach mounted on Dash, if I found an autotronic eye I would add that and move the tach.  Wood wheel and rear armrest.  I have, but not installed yet, rear defrost, same reason as Ed, and NOS floor mats, the square ones with ribs, not the rubber ones.  I have added the 3 switch panel with an unused acc switch installed.  I also have a set of NOS child safety locks, not likely to be installed and a set of the standard factory hubcaps.

 

Other misc adds, trunk mat, posi rear end, I have door edge guards that need to be restored.  It's had some aftermarket ones on it since before 82.

 

Probably more if I looked thru the boxes.

[KongaMan]

I forgot about the dual master and upgraded alternator.  Do those count?  I was thinking more along the lines of factory options acquired later, like the salesman's desk or backseat clothes rack.  I always thought the autronic eye was neat -- and I might actually put that on the dash if I could find one for a reasonable amount.  I never had any interest in the wood wheel.  I would like to get a set of blue floor mats, though (Carpet Savers and Handy-Mats), but the repros are too expensive and originals aren't to be had.

 

I also added a clip-on mirror to the passenger visor.  It was a safety issue -- girls kept yanking on the rearview to check their hair while I was driving.  PO added an overflow bottle to the radiator.  It sits on the inner fender right behind the battery.

 

Speaking of options... has anyone ever seen the spotlight or Karpak luggage carrier?

[RivNut]

I have the autronic eye, factory installed, on my 63.  I finally tuned it off. It would continually turn the high beams on and off as I drove under street lights.  Even after I turned down the sensitivity. Now it's more of a dash ornament and conversation starter.

 

Ed

[riv2x4]

I forgot about the vanity mirror on passenger visor.  I'd use the eye as a replacement on the dash for my tach.  No intention of making it operable.  Have to cover the hole with something.

[KongaMan]

I suppose you could cover the tach holes with the compass.  Although at some point, the driver should be expected to have some degree of situational awareness.

[Barney Eaton]

How about going the other way......downgrading.

For some reason many restored cars are being shown with small "dog dish" hub caps.  Before you jump on me, I know this is not an issue with Riviera, but I see Fords, Chevy, Pontiac and Buicks with these small hub caps.

After 1955 all Buicks came with full hub caps, even the entry level Special, but for some reason they show up with these "incorrect" hub caps.

It may be that this makes them "look" like high performance cars.

[dr914]

My Dad was on a budget when he bought ours in May of 64.  Positive traction deluxe interior, power windows and power drivers seat, turbine wheel covers, 425 engine, power antenna, remote trunk release,  and tilt steering.  During a light restoration I added the options I always wanted. GS valve covers, factory air, rear center seat cushion, power vent windows, Factory AM FM, GS wood wheel, and thanks to Tom Mooney,  Guidematic and Twilight Sentinel.   I am waiting For Gene to send me a set of trumpet horns!!!

[60FlatTop]

I was at a street rod show in 1980 and scored a tilt column with a wood wheel for $30. I had to buy it. I think it was the same seller who had the first set of black center wire wheel covers, another 30 bucks as I remember, but maybe less.

 

Things were kinda cheap back in the last century.

 

I don't think I would give up my Skylark style door panels and crank windows. They have worked out pretty well.

Bernie

[Scott Mckenzie]

I got a complete deluxe interior from a `63  ( remote mirror , power seat, wood panels ,dual paddle handles, wonderbar radio, the whole shebang for $200 CDN 160 US.

[lrlforfun]

OK Riviera People: I'm gonna talk outta both sides of my mouth. On a First Gen Riv......custom, air, power windows and full tint seem to be all that matters. I have a juvenile thing about clear glass though. If I has a particular Riv with no power windows and/or clear glass I'd try to change them to power with full tint.  I have way to many cars so it's only a fun fantasy.  Mitch

[Seafoam65]

 If you see me driving an old car with power windows or power seat, call 911.......I'm having advanced  dementia and shouldn't be driving!

Edited August 25, 2017 by Seafoam65 (see edit history)

[Guest Mr Jones]

I love my manual roll down windows - under 50 YO passengers are really intrigued by the simple yet clever technology.

[jframe]

When I bought mine, it had custom interior, factory a/c that had been replaced with Vintage Air thru factory vents, but I have all the factory stuff sans controls. It also had rubber Buick mats, power seat, windows, and antenna. Also, door edge guards, which I removed and saved. Factory am/fm radio as well with rear seat speaker and armrest. Factory vinyl top as well. I have added four note horns and wood wheel as well. Only other things I would like to add is the remote trunk release and rear defroster. It has later model Riv rallys, but I have had a hankering to go back to the standard wheels and hubcaps it was born with. Find hubcaps all day long, but a set of GOOD steel base wheels seems impossible.

[60FlatTop]

When smart phones first added video cameras I did about 4 minutes of a first generation owner digging in the rat nest of driver door window wires. I let him pull into my garage and out of the rain to get his windows up. He had owned the car for over 20 years at the time and was cursing at the work of the first owner. I asked if he had ever had to fix them before. He said yes.

Restraint is my least recognized attribute.

 

He also make noises like Tim Allen, the old fizzled out comedian, when he talks about heated seats. About a year after we bought my Wife's Infiniti I was sitting in it and saw a couple of buttons. I had heated seats!

 

Thursday I was sitting at the end of my driveway, ready to pull out with my Riviera, reached back with my left hand and rolled the rear window down. I thought of it as a small car when I bought it and still do.

Bernie

[KongaMan]

On 8/25/2017 at 7:30 AM, Seafoam65 said:

 If you see me driving an old car with power windows or power seat, call 911.......I'm having advanced  dementia and shouldn't be driving!

 

If you can't get the windows or seat working, then perhaps advanced dementia has already set in.

[Turbinator]

On 8/21/2017 at 0:03 PM, RivNut said:

My 63 is very well equipped. I considered adding a rear window defroster to it, but then decided that 1) I'd never use it because I don't drive the car in the winter, and 2) my data plate and window sticker wouldn't support it. The defogger units themselves are fairly easy to find, the 63 switch is rare as hen's teeth.  Not worth it financially or esthetically. And yes, I bought it from the original owner and yes, he did install a purse hook - as well as electric trailer brakes, a welded on full hitch receiver, an auxiliary transmission coolers, and a full compliment of after market gauges. It also came with a set of floor mats and handy mats, and a "Buick" courtesy mirror clipped to the visor.

 

I've been collecting parts for years. I'd rather install them on my 64 than sell them then regret it.  My 64 will have it all sans a posi. BUT my data plate will not support it. If/when it comes time to sell it, I won't advertise it as "factory equipped." 

 

You have to ask yourself "Why do I need this. Am I trying to pull the wool over someone's eyes?" "Who am I trying to impress, myself or the other guy?"

 

Ed

 

 

Fortunately when I bought my Red Riviera 1963 model 15 months ago the car had not been altered in any way. The car had not been maintained. I replaced a number of significant items that needed to be replaced. To date I have not changed a thing that did not meet original specs. There is an exception and that is the exhaust system I replaced is not to original spec.

[KongaMan]

IMHO, you're usually better off with a car that's original but not maintained than one that's been worked on repeatedly by corner-cutters and kludgers.  Fixing something that's broken is one thing; fixing someone else's fix is quite another.

[rodneybeauchamp]

Gotta say, one of the most practical options that I have added is the remote trunk release. I often store parts in the boot when working on a project and so much easier to reach in and pull the knob.

 

My 63 already had a long options list so not too much more to add really. 

Just my two bobs worth, Rodney ??