Searching for grandfather’s 65 Riviera

[Arnie68]

I know this is the preverbial shot in the dark. But here goes...

My Grandfather was a well respected Chiropractor in Chevy Chase Maryland. He was the original owner of a 1965 Buick Riviera GS.  It was Black with Black interior. He had a personalized  metal signature on the shift column panel : “Property of Dr. Arnold R. Tolley.”  ( it was a signature...not a plate) He maintained it very well. It was parked in his garage most often. When He Retired (1985?) He sold the car to a Virginia Collector who took the car to shows.  The new owner would occasionally bring the car by on the way to shows and take Pop for a ride. (The car ran beautifully and was in pristine shape). As a junior in high school at the time. I did not think to write down the vin#. Is there anyway to track down my Pops Riviera? I just would like to know it’s fate....and maybe get the signature piece back if it is out there somewhere. I loved that car and my Pop.?

Thanks for any help.

Mr. Arnold Tolley Slater

Ruckersville, Va.

[1950panhead]

A 1965 Riviera was 20 years old in 1985, not a collector car then.

Your best shot, try to figure out who the buyer was.

What collector cars did the buyer own ?

What did the buyer do for work ?

It is 120 miles from Richmond to Chevy Chase, to far to look or buy a 20 year old Riviera, lots of Riviera available in Richmond or Virginia.

Something else brought the buyer to Chevy Chase, he worked there, he had family there, he had a mistress there, same situation with "dropping by" to give your grandfather a ride, to far, he had some connection to the area.  Can you or parents answer these questions ?

[Arnie68]

Thanks for the input. I can only ask my family what they know. This has been discussed many times. Truly, I wish I knew who the buyer had been. I’m hoping that Pops name or location ring a bell with someone on here. Mistress? I surely hadn’t thought of that one?. Of course anything is possible. ( especially in the Metro area). The buyer could have been a patient of my grandfather’s who took an interest in his car. (It was perfect). However, Pop retired and his apprentice took over the practice.The Guy could have been a patient of the young Dr. Levann’s as well. I will have to ask him. I had not thought of that.

Thanks for the thoughts

[PONTIAC1953]

why not contact the maryland dept. of motor vehicles for a list of cars that were owned in your grandfather's name ?, that should provide you with riviera's vin.

[keiser31]

I believe that actually, a 20 year old 1965 Riviera WOULD have been collectable. They were special.

Edited October 8, 2018 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[Arnie68]

Thank you Pontiac 1953. I will try that. My grandfather passed in 2001....I’m not sure  if that info would still be in the system but it’s worth a shot. By the way, My last car was a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. I drove it for 18 years. I loved that car.

[Arnie68]

Keiser31,

Thank you, I certainly agree...Those cars were special. It’s the only car I really WANT.

[PONTIAC1953]

i had one once back in the 1980s in southern california, have always regretted selling it after it was gone. mine was a yellow with green interior.

[Buffalowed Bill]

What color was the car and what tires and wheels did it have then? Significant number have survived because they were so special, but the upside was that many changed hands locally because there were so many of them.-Bill