RivCat Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 Decided to sell my 1964 Riviera project. I bought the car with the intention of teaching myself how to do body and paint work. I've come to realize there are probably better cars to do that with that have a better aftermarket industry ie: GM f-body cars for example. So, here is complete, all original 1964 Riviera in Desert Beige with Fawn cloth & vinyl seats. I bought the car in non-running condition. I pulled the interior and the motor and that is where the project is currently at. I've bagged and labeled parts and took numerous pictures (jump drive of pictures to be included). I pulled the rear drums off the car. Car will need a new windshield (I don't know what hit it). The car will need some floor pans replaced and some trunk pan sections replaced. The 425 motor is somewhat stuck. The dizzy and cam are loose and wiggle. My guess is the rings are lightly stuck to the cylinder walls. The homemade engine dolly is included in the sale. According to the stamping on the rear diff, it contains a posi-unit. (it's the one thing I forgot to take a picture of) Mast for the power antenna is missing (was not on the car when I bought it) Other factory and dealer options on the car include: EZ glass all around Power windows 4 way power drivers seat Remote mirror Seat belts Buick compass Dual bugle horns Trailer hitch Also included in the sale are the original owners manual and warranty booklet with the Buick Guard-A-Plate. Also included are some original used floor and trunk pans from California. I have the means (bobcat) to push the car onto your trailer. (the car/wheel dollies are not included in the sale) Clear Wisconsin title in my name, in my hand. $4500 or best offer. Car is located ~15 miles south of Madison wi. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivCat Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 OK, so what does anyone think is a realistic asking price for the car? If anyone wants a specific picture of anything, just ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gungeey Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 HI David, Everybody has their own set of eyes. My eyes: I see a set of four note horns worth maybe 3-500 if they are working and the harness is intact Other than that you are selling a project that needs: Engine gone thru 2500 Transmission gone thru 1000 Extensive sheet metal work 1000 Paint 3000 Interior 2500 Exhaust 800 Brakes/lines 600 Add another 2000-3000 tires, sandblasting, recore radiator and a shitload of surprises and other stuff needed for peace of mind Still have brightwork to consider... This a very minimal conservative estimate doing the bulk of labor myself That's 13500 plus your 4500 plus shipping ( to me) 1000... 18500 and much effort. I can buy a nice car with no rust issues and be driving it in two weeks for less $$$ than that ( and it will have a few surprises, too) Your car is worth the sum of it's parts, which mostly need to be replaced or repaired and rechromed. You need someone that's been dreaming of the excitement of rebuilding a car. They're out there. Your car 2020 Collector car Price Guide: #6 (may or may not be running, but is weathered wrecked and or stripped to being used primarily for parts)= 1560 Sincerely, Steve PS I am envious of your workshop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 Looks like an original wood wheel with intact horn bar. Can’t tell if there is any pitting or cracks though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awk409ak Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 RivCat, Sorry to say I would have to agree with Gungeey, It maybe better to part out, but that takes time and more work on your part to disassemble things. But again this is only an opinion, and everyone has one.(sometimes too many)😁 Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XframeFX Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 David, A running car is key. A scaled down restoration could be tackled in smaller portions while keeping it drivable. I'm seeing more 'patina cars' out there. I imagine this is not new advise to you but I am re-learning from past projects myself. For me, this hobby is low priority and is the reason it's taking so long. This '64 Riviera is too nice to part out, the hobby needs more survivors! But Steve is correct, value being the sum of it's parts. In 2016, I was alarmed how many 1st Gen Rivieras were being parted-out here in western Canada. Probably no longer in existence now. John B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 I think it just depends if you want invest $20 -25 K or more over 2-3 years and have a $20 K car or buy one now that’s ready to go for the same price and do minor tweaking while you drive and enjoy . If you happen to be one of those talented guys that can do it all and need a project, then go for it. Personally, I would part it out ( after doing a couple of frame offs and spending twice as much as projected) . Good luck with a tough decision that most of us have faced in the past. KReed ROA 14549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivCat Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 Thanks everyone for all the input. Guess I might have to look harder at the idea of possibly parting it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafoam65 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Agreed..........this is a parts car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr914 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 I agree also, either you finish it yourself or it is a parts car. No one will buy it to have to figure how to put it back together and spend the money to do it. The horns and the GS wheel are worth some money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Too bad it's ALL apart. IF it were in one so called piece & ran, even poorly, it would probably be worth the $4500.00, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKRIV Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Photos show lots of rust. But there has to be more rust you can't see until you start attacking & chopping sheet metal. Unless it has some sort of sentimental history, I also agree that its a parts car. Has anyone done a full resto and not spent way more than your original budget? Tom K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 If you part the car out you will be lucky to gross in the range of $3,000. That would take a period of 2 years to move it all. If you go with Ebay for the shipable stuff it will cost 30% when you figure in fees and shipping supplies. And there will be the work involved with disassembly and packaging. In the end you will have $2,000 in your hand. Skip the extra work. You can get the $2,000 quicker. On 8/27/2020 at 5:16 PM, RivCat said: I bought the car with the intention of teaching myself how to do body and paint work. You didn't learn body work but you did learn something that will be of value in the future. Because of what you learned I bet that F-body will be a lot nicer car. Bernie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 8 hours ago, TKRIV said: Photos show lots of rust. But there has to be more rust you can't see until you start attacking & chopping sheet metal. Unless it has some sort of sentimental history, I also agree that its a parts car. Has anyone done a full resto and not spent way more than your original budget? Tom K You go in without a budget. That way you never go over. You don't keep track of expenses either. That way when it's time to sell it you're not thinking about losing money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr914 Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 21 hours ago, telriv said: Too bad it's ALL apart. IF it were in one so called piece & ran, even poorly, it would probably be worth the $4500.00, totally agree, a running together car is worth loads more than the same car taken apart. At this point you would be better to continue the work, or bail at a next to nothing price. (except for the wheel and the horn set!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 In the day when it was new, cars without a/c were pretty common. But now it seems that a/c is pretty common and pretty much desirable on any car. Without a/c your car will be that much harder to find a buyer for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhach Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 On 9/1/2020 at 11:58 AM, RivNut said: You go in without a budget. That way you never go over. You don't keep track of expenses either. That way when it's time to sell it you're not thinking about losing money. And don't leave your receipts where your wife can find them. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 On 8/30/2020 at 6:51 PM, RivCat said: Thanks everyone for all the input. Guess I might have to look harder at the idea of possibly parting it out. David, Just a few words of wisdom when it comes to parting a car. It should be done with the majority of your goal to do as a hobby and to help other Riv enthusiasts get their cars on the road and maybe make a little extra cash. Removing parts, taking photo's providing accurate descriptions, posting advertising, packing and calculating shipping then shipping can be a challenge if you have other commitments in life. You'll sell a hand full of higher demand parts fairly quick but the largest portion could take years to sell all the while the carcass is sitting around taking up space. Once the in-demand parts are gone it becomes much more difficult to sell the whole car should you decide to part way through the process. So give it some thought. If you sell whole now for a price less than the parts are worth, you might still end up ahead. Just depends what your goal is and how much spare time you have to dedicate to parting it. Those 4 notes, wood wheel and horn bar would be the first to sell! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awk409ak Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 23 hours ago, drhach said: And don't leave your receipts where your wife can find them. This is always where I make my mistakes😆. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelman Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 One of my great fears is when I die, my wife will sell my parts for what I told her I had in them... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivCat Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 5 hours ago, JZRIV said: David, Just a few words of wisdom when it comes to parting a car. It should be done with the majority of your goal to do as a hobby and to help other Riv enthusiasts get their cars on the road and maybe make a little extra cash. Removing parts, taking photo's providing accurate descriptions, posting advertising, packing and calculating shipping then shipping can be a challenge if you have other commitments in life. You'll sell a hand full of higher demand parts fairly quick but the largest portion could take years to sell all the while the carcass is sitting around taking up space. Once the in-demand parts are gone it becomes much more difficult to sell the whole car should you decide to part way through the process. So give it some thought. If you sell whole now for a price less than the parts are worth, you might still end up ahead. Just depends what your goal is and how much spare time you have to dedicate to parting it. Those 4 notes, wood wheel and horn bar would be the first to sell! If I were to part out the trumpet horns, does including the wire harness and the battery junction block that the horns plug into add any value? I tested both horns and they both blow. I would assume the two standard horns up by the grill are of no value? Thinking about hooking them up under the hood of my snowmobile, could provide some some fun on the trail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivCat Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 Just now, RivCat said: If I were to part out the trumpet horns, does including the wire harness and the battery junction block that the horns plug into add any value? I tested both horns and they both blow. I would assume the two standard horns up by the grill are of no value? Thinking about hooking them up under the hood of my snowmobile, could provide some some fun on the trail forgot pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrownedRiv Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Generally speaking, obviously the entire setup is more valuable. If i were buying to add this option to my car, i would want to buy the trumpets with the wiring. If i was just looking for replacment trumpets, the wiring would not be of much value to me. I think most folks in the market for this item would be looking to add this to their car, so likely they would be interested in both the trumpets and wiring harness. I dont think there would be much interest in the two standard horns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasander Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 Weren’t all four horns a matched tone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 Depending on the year, there were different notes for each horn. Do a detailed search of the ROA website and you can find an article on how to repair horns and the pitch of each horn for each year. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred C Post Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 What are the specifics and asking price for the posi rear if you decide to part this project ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivCat Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 Just want to take a moment to say "Thanks" to everyone who bought parts from me. Everyone I dealt with on this forum was professional, courteous and easy to work with. I really wish I had nice, running 1st gen Riviera so I could be a more involved member...maybe someday down the road. There is ton of knowledge in the collective group on this board, not only in terms of Riviera knowledge but also general automotive knowledge. I'll continue to stop in and read the forum just to pick up more general auto knowledge. I'm about ready to close the book on this project. The only parts left are the Posi rear-end (drum to drum) and the bare frame with front suspension. @Riviera63 bought the remaining inventory of parts from my car. Contact him with your parts needs. While selling Riviera parts I also found time to get the motor ready for the '69 Firebird convertible... Thanks again everyone! David 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 (edited) They ALL look so nice & pretty when cleaned up. Edited April 10, 2021 by telriv (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 And your shop floor is so nice and clean. What's with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivCat Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 33 minutes ago, RivNut said: And your shop floor is so nice and clean. What's with that? Growing up as kid on a small dairy farm, we didn't have shop, per say. We fixed stuff right where it broke, or under cover in a pole shed with dirt/gravel floor. In the Winter, add the outside temp to the equation. I always told myself, when get old I'm not working on stuff in these conditions.... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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