1963 Riv. How far to go?

[mark6]

Hey guys, I have a "63 Riv. with 27K orig. miles and in great cond. except for the usual things that deterioriate with age. Interior lenses, and other things. How far do I go and still keep it in a 'survivor" class. Still has orig. paint and uphol. drivers seat needs redone as it is a cloth interior. I am having a tough time finding a corect match for the material though. The car is black w/ black int.

[Bill Stoneberg]

I have run into the same question with my 64. I am heading to Seattle with it to get it judged in Archival class. Consequently, I am cleaning and fixing but trying hard not to replace anything.

There are madatory deductions, like repaints, reupolstury, and replace engine then there are prefereed like original lamps, instruments and carpets.

YOu an have 3 prefered items incorrect but NO mandetory items marked.

So, a torn seat is better then a recovered seat.

Now this is judging, if your not into that try Clark's Corvairs or Jenkins Interiors. Both may have fabric you need.

[mark6]

Thanks Bill, I have a sample from Clark's but not quite on the nose. The seat really needs redone as the foam is crumbling and gets all over. I have a local uph. shop that specializes in classics looking also. Hopefully I won't be judged too harshly. It is an all numbers matching car but the seals were all replaced about a year or less ago (prior to my ownership) and engine painted nicely, however, in the blue/green instead of silver as I'm told all Riv's in '63 were. Question is, do I go hog wild with resto. parts or not worry and just make it a great driver, and do it the way I want? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_Thriller]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Question is, do I go hog wild with resto. parts or not worry and just make it a great driver, and do it the way I want? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> </div></div>

Since it is your car, ultimately you will be the one answering the question, not the rest of us "armchair restorers" (at least when it comes to your car.

There are a number of different factors, including whether you want it judged and, if so, whether as an archival or against the standard set by factory condition? Of course, the other option is as a modified car. If the seat is stopping you from enjoying the car, I'd redo it. Is a foam pad and cover / blanket enough to stop the crumbling from getting all over? Perhaps that's an intermediate step.

Since the engine was painted, it sounds to me like you have a car that it may not make sense to worry about the archival aspect of it. Then again, why was it painted? Normally, folks only do that when the engine comes out for a rebuild or at least some extensive work. I assume you have checked the numbers to verify it is the original engine and not a replacement that happened to be Buick green.

The next question is what sort of personal touches do you want to add? Wheels / tires are an easy change, and you can keep the originals. Paint / chroming is a bit tougher to change, but doesn't detract from the originality of the car. Turning it into a lowrider is a lot more extreme, and you would have to find a buyer who wants that should you decide to sell it down the road. In most cases, originality will lead to the highest value for the car.

The next question is do you feel safe in the car? This gets into things like the bias ply vs. radial debate, changing out drum brakes for discs, etc. The brakes will stop the car, but if you are racing it, you may want something that perhaps is a bit of an upgrade.

I guess this results in more questions than answers, but I promise not to tell you what you can / can't do with your car if you promise to reciprocate <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Actually, maybe I will tell you one thing to do...enjoy the car.

[Bill Stoneberg]

As Derek said, its your car. Do with it what you want.

Having said that and being more of the original type of car guy, a 27 K Riviera has survived quite nicely the way it came from the factory. To ME that is much cooler then a resto rod or low rider.

MY opinions here and they dont count as its your car.

What ever makes you happy and gets you to drive the car is a good thing. Check the mechanicals and make sure you are safe an then enjoy the car. As I am finding out, they are a great driving car.

Are you going to bring it to Seattle ?

[GMPARTSMAN]

Just a few random thoughts...

Your car is a survivor, in my opinion I would try to keep it as original as possible. It's only

original once.

Over restored cars, the type that the paint looks like glass, panels perfectly aligned, etc. are nice to look

at but in reality you are never going to want to drive it for fear of damage. And, they never looked that good when they left the factory. I still remember Corvettes of the 70's being dropped off car haulers with three shades of

paint down the side, and this wasn't even taking in consideration the paint hue of the flexible bumper fascias.

If you are building a car up like my Pontiac 2+2 that was a body shell, original engine missing, sat for ten years at a ranch in the New Mexico sunlight and having not one straight body panel on it (no lie there), then my thoughts are anything goes. By this I mean, I went with a 4 speed instead of the 3 speed it originally came with, added eight lug drums/wheels, and power steering as it was a manual steeering/ brake car. Still looking for power brakes for it after twenty years. I used correct era parts on it, it all looks like it was factory installed. I couldn't see struggling with manual steeering or the limitations of a three speed manual to preserve the originality of a non number match car.

The other piece of advice I will give you is that if you do modify anything, make sure it is reversible.

[Guest brh]

Yeah this is what I call rock and a hard place when it comes to classes. My 65 Skylark is still mostly original however I chose to have it judged out of archival because I had to replace items on the car, it is still mostly original, paint, chrome, interior. Engine never touched, except for starter and carb and all the replacement stuff to keep her reliable. I like to drive to shows and I knew this was going to be a problem, but my thing is to enjoy the car, pay attention to try and keep her as original as possible. If she needs something I take care of it. But this is my thing, you have to decide how you most enjoy the car. I got mine back in 1974 with 34,000 on it. It now has 75plus...enjoyed every mile!!

[Gene Brink]

Do not know if you will decide to redo the seat or not but last Saturday I went to the San Gabriel Valley annual show and overheard the owner of a very sharp '55 Century talking to another guy about the upholstery in the car. Seems as though he sent an old original sample to someplace in China where they examined the material and then wove some new cloth to match the original. Been five years since I sold my Century but it looked dead on correct to me. Was a bit pricy but really looked good. Sorry that I don't know the owners name or who to contact but you might be able to contact the SGV chapter and ask them if they can put you in touch with the fellow.

In any event enjoy the car.

[imported_buick5563]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do not know if you will decide to redo the seat or not but last Saturday I went to the San Gabriel Valley annual show and overheard the owner of a very sharp '55 Century talking to another guy about the upholstery in the car. Seems as though he sent an old original sample to someplace in China where they examined the material and then wove some new cloth to match the original. Been five years since I sold my Century but it looked dead on correct to me. Was a bit pricy but really looked good. Sorry that I don't know the owners name or who to contact but you might be able to contact the SGV chapter and ask them if they can put you in touch with the fellow.

In any event enjoy the car. </div></div>

Sounds like FireballV8 here on the forum. Steve?

Mike

[Guest JDHolmes]

SMS will have the original materials for the interior.