Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Hello everyone, let me cut right to the gristle of this. I am looking at a 1964 Buick Riviera with 96k original miles, California car and it needs a little love but it runs very well. Pretty solid old Riviera, it was hit in the drivers side quarter panel and needs about 8 hours of work to be straight again. I can trade my 90 Iroc Z for this Riviera straight across, I drove the Riviera today and it runs out well, no misses, no shakes, no smoke, shifts runs and stops well. My Iroc Z is a 5.7 non t top car and it has 180k miles on it, has a clean 20 footer paint in red, interior is nice and clean, it needs struts, tires and the AC looked at to be a daily driver. The 1964 Buick Riviera in question is a numbers matching car, from So Cal, 465 wildcat engine, all stock, doesnt appear to have ever been apart . Paint is a re paint from the 80's and while it does shine it needs to be repainted , the drivers side quarter panel was hit in the very corner, not bad but it needs about 8 hours of work and a new bumper installed which comes with the car, i sent the pics of the quarter panel to a couple body shops and they said its around a $800-$1400 repair. That doesnt bother me I've replaced whole quarters before on my other cars so no big deal really. The interior is stock and semi clean, needs a couple trim pieces here and there, new carpet, and the woodgrain kit, door panels, and seats redone. Minor paint bubbles along the very bottom of the passenger side wheel well, not bad like I said I've seen worse,. I just cant seem to get this old girl out of my mind, she has good bones to her, still has the original batter cables on it as a matter of fact. Do you fine folks think it would be a good trade? the Iroc for the Riviera straight across? one part of me says yes even though the Riviera needs some cosmetic attention. What say you? thank you all for your time and responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 (edited) @Hearse welcome to the Forum, and possibly to the world of Buicks. Your question though 43 minutes ago, Hearse said: Do you fine folks think it would be a good trade? the Iroc for the Riviera straight across? is like playing Russian Roulette. There are so many points you have not covered any one of which could cause a misinterpretation of the responses you receive. For example, you did not mention how you view the hobby. Do you like cars retained in their original build format, or do you prefer modifying cars. If modifying, resto-rod or full customizations? Do you want this Riviera for a daily driver? A project? A show car? An investment? Or a "take the kids for ice cream Saturday night" vehicle? If I were to offer an opinion on the trade for none other than the reasons you have already indicated, I would say the difference in the two vehicles is so wide that I would suspect something else is wrong with the Riviera. Otherwise why would the owner be willing to trade even for the Iroc? However a 64 Riviera is an awesome car! And if that is all that is truly wrong with it, then it sounds like you found the worlds greatest deal! It may be that the better question to ask is: What are the weak points in a 64 Riviera and how difficult is it to find the parts. Then you can better evaluate the candidate of your choice. And that question should be asked in the Riviera forum a little further down on this list, because those with specific knowledge of the car may not visit this part of the Forum regularly. But at any rate, I wish you good luck with your pursuit! Edited February 17, 2019 by JohnD1956 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 I tend to like cars like the Riviera in their stock form, this is a car I'm thinking about fixing the few things on it and giving it to my dad to drive, he's 78 yrs old . I've been in the car game for about 20 years, I own a few of them, we just did a 512 BB Cadillac swap to my 61 Cadillac Hearse, all stock down to the white walls from 1978. The owner is someone who has a few cars and just doesn't want to do any work to the Riviera. The Iroc is an easier flip for him most likely. Looking at the Riviera's undercarriage, I see no rust on the floor boards at all, floors are all solid, trunk has zero rust and is 100 percent solid. I've just never had the opportunity to get into a first gen Riviera in all my time of collecting these relics. The old man would drive the Riviera to the grocery store, to the casino to play a few bucks and that would be the extent it is driven. Weak points to the Riviera? obvious quarter panel repair, she needs door panels, carpet, front seats redone and some interior trim replaced. Chrome needs to be polished but it is presentable and all there . After the quarter panel is repaired it needs a nice paint job, nothing crazy just something of a nice daily driver quality. Her bones appear to be solid, no play in steering, rear suspension looks to be in good shape no weird noises back there, recent exhaust with factory resonators and she still sounds angry. I must say, I have never experienced brakes that responsive and that on point like I have in that Riviera. And the pinky power steering is very nice. I'm impressed I must say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 1964 Rivieras are not hard to find parts for at all. In fact, the seat upholstery is accurately reproduced, as are many other parts, since '63 and '65 are about the same and the cars are very collectible. The Camaro will probably continue to depreciate; whereas the Riviera will not. Understand, though, that you are asking a bunch of Buick fans if that is a good trade. You are not likely to get an unbiased answer! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 (edited) Lol, understandable. I thought these 3rd gen Camaro's would eventually go up in value especially unmodded and kept nice. At least the 5.7 cars. Everything in my mind is telling me to bring the Buick home tomorrow. Good to meet you sir. Edited February 17, 2019 by Hearse (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 That's a nice car with some positive points from this view! #1, no vinyl roof! Have you looked closely at the body near the trim underneath the rear windscreen? That area usually holds water and rusts through underneath causing leaks into the trunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 I climbed into the trunk today to check it out, no evidence of any rust or water collecting back there , and the trim around the rear window is coming off so I could look in there pretty well, from inside of the trunk looking under the package tray, it appears to be pretty solid, nothing out of the ordinary from what I could see. I could tell at some point in the life of the Riv she has had some bondo at the very bottom of the rear quarter behind the wheel and it doesnt look like much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 The car is very straight, all things considering ,I couldn't find one ding on the roof at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Does it have factory AC? Would that be something Dad needs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 No A/C no power windows in this Riviera. I could always install a Classic Auto Air elite kit in this car for summer. He would like the AC but realistically during the summer months during the heat he would drive his truck and leave the Riv in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivgs Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Looks like you found a heck of a deal there. I would make the trade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 I'm feeling that as well, did these 425 engines have a plastic tooth timing chain from the factory? I thought I just read something about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Look at the signature of RivGS...just a slight bias. That said, I’d personally prefer the personal luxury of a first generation Riv over a later Camaro. With the 425, that’s a nice car. Question may be what do you think of it longer term, and what might Dad think / want / prefer? My bet would be on the Riviera, but as a Buick nut, I really don’t have a grasp of the rest of the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 The Riviera will be easier for the old man to get in and out of, easier to drive and hardly any blind spots . Long term? I think the Riviera would do him well. The Iroc just sits in the garage at the moment, and I think the old man would enjoy the Riviera, he has an old 60 T bird but it needs lots of work to be driving, so the Riv would take the place of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Rust free 64, looks decent, runs, drives, and stops good. Sounds like no brainer. As it sounds like you know most old cars will need regular attention and if this one hasn’t been driven in years there will be a number of mechanical things you’ll want to do. These Rivs were well engineered and very reliable with a little care. Yes nylon tooth timing gear. Will want to replace. One of the things I try to warn potential Riviera owners of is you can’t open a catalog and order any part you want compared to the mainstream classics. There are some parts available but due to low production there will never be a large variety of parts reproduced which is why it’s important to buy a good car up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 It still has the original standard wheel covers which is nice to see. Most have been changed to wire wheel covers or the chrome road wheels. These were well built cars back in the day. My very first car was a 64 Riviera and I kept it for 24 years. If you read between the lines, that tells you something! Please keep us posted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demon452 Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Car looks clean from the 1 pic. The passenger side mirror is not factory. Also the location is to far back compared to where the drivers side is. What options does the car have. The 425 was considered a standard engine in 64. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Passenger side mirrors were a dealer installed option in the era. It was probably positioned to give the driver the best view. To ad to what Pat said, the wheels that he mentioned so many guys changing to were not an option in 64. Lots of guys have added the 65 and later wheels to their 63 and 64 Rivieras. Chances are you'd like the Vintage Air route rather than trying to keep the older system operating. Nice car; nice choice. Ed (Vinyl tops were not an option in 64 😎) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demon452 Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 (edited) I understand they were a dealer installed option. I just have never seen 1 in that location. I have seen them vary slightly just not that far back. Yes I understand if mounted the same location as the drivers its kinda pointless. But then again I don't have the specs as to where the dealer was supposed to locate them. Unless it was just up to the individual dealer. Also this car does NOT have ac . So the better route would be vintage air. Or cheaper/less headache in the long run. Edited February 17, 2019 by demon452 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 (edited) If you were to go to an ROA meet and be cautious of where the passenger side mirrors were mounted, you'd se 25 different positions on 25 different cars. There's also no consistency in the location of the driver's side mirror. Either one of two positions. I took pictures of every 1st generation Riviera at the meet in Harrisburg along with the corresponding data plate. No correlation as to why some were forward and some were back. I said the same thing about the addition of Vintage Air. Ed PS - Any kind of outside rear view mirror on a 1st generation Riviera was an option. Or any Buick model in that era. That's why, if the car is so equipped from the factory, it's stamped into the data plate. Edited February 17, 2019 by RivNut (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeJS Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Good day. Although you mention a repaint in the '80's, it does appear to be the original Wedgewood Blue colour. Although I'm obviously biased., after all these years I still get a lot of people complimenting the stand-out colour on the Riv'. It appears that you are missing the script behind the front wheel... Nonetheless, great looking car, and I suspect we're all a little biased here, but full restoration on these Riv's can indeed be a daunting and lifelong quest... But fully restored or just maintaining the survivor (photo attached...) the cool factor will always be high in a Riv...😎 Enjoy your new ride... Later, Mike Swick Edmonton, AB ---- 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsgun Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 17 hours ago, Hearse said: Hello everyone, let me cut right to the gristle of this. I am looking at a 1964 Buick Riviera with 96k original miles, California car and it needs a little love but it runs very well.... Is this car in LA? I think i've seen it on CL. If it is, it started out on the AV's CL for a pretty reasonable price. Looked like a nice car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 That's what happens when you get a cold/flu and are out of commission for a few days, the deal is still on I'm supposed to be swapping vehicles tomorrow. This Riv was in LA I believe JS Gun. Let me ask you guys this, how hard is it to source a few interior trim pieces, sun visors, some console chrome for the rear between the bucket seats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 On 2/17/2019 at 8:35 AM, MikeJS said: Good day. Although you mention a repaint in the '80's, it does appear to be the original Wedgewood Blue colour. Although I'm obviously biased., after all these years I still get a lot of people complimenting the stand-out colour on the Riv'. It appears that you are missing the script behind the front wheel... Nonetheless, great looking car, and I suspect we're all a little biased here, but full restoration on these Riv's can indeed be a daunting and lifelong quest... But fully restored or just maintaining the survivor (photo attached...) the cool factor will always be high in a Riv...😎 Enjoy your new ride... Later, Mike Swick Edmonton, AB ---- Wedgewood blue, I love that color. Beautiful car!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapom Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Sunvisors can be bought brand new but are pricey. I think classic industries sells them. I sewed mine back together where they split. Dan Jackson 313-516-1289 in Michigan parts them out so he should have everything you need. Probably better options locally for chrome though as there would be less of a chance for pitted chrome in the southwest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera63 Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 2 hours ago, rapom said: Sunvisors can be bought brand new but are pricey. I think classic industries sells them. I sewed mine back together where they split. Dan Jackson 313-516-1289 in Michigan parts them out so he should have everything you need. Probably better options locally for chrome though as there would be less of a chance for pitted chrome in the southwest. Clark's Corvair makes new replacement sunvisors. With them you know the material will be the correct color and grain for your year. They will also recover your old sunvisor(s) if it is not too badly warped but, that is more costly than buying new ones. They also make replacement sail panels, which are often warped. Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
65VerdeGS Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 On 2/17/2019 at 5:31 AM, demon452 said: Car looks clean from the 1 pic. The passenger side mirror is not factory. Also the location is to far back compared to where the drivers side is. What options does the car have. The 425 was considered a standard engine in 64. Your dad will appreciate the passenger side rear view mirror, so it's a plus in my mind. These aren't small cars to maneuver, so having any aid to see better is a benefit. That mirror looks to be a Buick type of the day and to my eyes doesn't detract from the car at all. The '64 is a solid car. If my experience is any gauge, a very reliable vehicle if reasonably maintained and not abused. I drove my '65 daily for ten years and over 100k miles, that was on top of the 113k it had when I bought it. It never let me down. I finally rebuilt the driveline when I restored the car, but didn't really have to other than by then she was burning a bit more oil from all the miles. And fun miles they have been! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psychostang Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 So what happened? Do you buy the car?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 It'll be here tomorrow, just borrowed a dealer plate to drive it over tomorrow. By 2 it'll be done. I'll update ya. = ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psychostang Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Fabulous!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 Quote Quote Quote she is home It'll be here tomorrow, just borrowed a dealer plate to drive it over tomorrow. By 2 it'll be done. I'll update ya. = ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 Got her home, drove wonderfully at 80 down the freeway then i ran out of gas, but she is home lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 (edited) It read a little less than a quarter tank of gas which i thought was enough to get home but she got me all the way down the freeway to my exit and we coasted down the offramp, went and got some fresh 91 octane, cranked her a couple times and she fired right off. So far I'm sold what a wonderful car on the freeway my god, also the brakes work excellent as i had to step on them as traffic abruptly stopped ahead of me. Edited March 3, 2019 by Hearse (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Mine has been reading between an 1/8th. & 1/4, depending on load in the trunk, when it runs out of fuel. Been this way since new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 Well that explains that then lol, it was reading just below a quarter tank when i ran out, no worries. I'm looking into some simple upgrades, pertronix electronic ignition. Ordered a new air and fuel filter for her today. Any thoughts on the Pertronix on these old Nailheads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psychostang Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 Here is another option: https://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearse Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 Yeah I was looking at Dave's last night. If I can get away with just converting the original distributor over to electronic that would be more cost effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 49 minutes ago, Hearse said: Well that explains that then lol, it was reading just below a quarter tank when i ran out, no worries. I'm looking into some simple upgrades, pertronix electronic ignition. Ordered a new air and fuel filter for her today. Any thoughts on the Pertronix on these old Nailheads? Try adding a direct wire from one of the screws from the sending unit to a dedicated ground. The ground now just comes from the gas line to the frame through the clamps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 20 minutes ago, Hearse said: Yeah I was looking at Dave's last night. If I can get away with just converting the original distributor over to electronic that would be more cost effective. I put a Pertronix in my 64. Works fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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