'63 Riviera
- Thread starter Kayvan
- Start date
2112
Blue/white 06'
Always loved those. Favorites;
65' GS with clamshell headlights
67' GS best looking but huge
72' GS boat tail. Look great with torque thrusts and wide rubber, let the Avon lady have the stock skinny tires.
65' GS with clamshell headlights
67' GS best looking but huge
72' GS boat tail. Look great with torque thrusts and wide rubber, let the Avon lady have the stock skinny tires.
Last edited:
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
??? I thought the 1st Rivs to have those were the '65s???
I do know for a fact that I personally never saw a "clamshell" sporting '63! I'd have blown a trivia game on that one. They must be rare as hen's teeth.
'Learn sumtin new every darned day! :thumbsup
2112
Blue/white 06'
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
The Grey Ghost
GT Owner
Yes, 65's were the only year with the clam shells.
Here is the '65 Rivera Gran Sport we had for several years.
A nice combination of power and luxury.
Had all kinds of bells and whistles for cars of that era and then power to move it down the road.
Things like an auto dimmer to dim your brights when you met another car and interior door handles (optional) at the rear of the door arm rests so the people in the back seat could open the door if needed. All sorts of other items as well, not seen on most cars until much later.
The Gran Sport was available with 2 four barrel carbs mounted on a 425. They could be a pain to syncronize, but once set up properly, could get her scooting down the highway. The brakes left a lot to be desired however, with a tiny master cylinder supplying bulky drums brakes all the way around.
Gina misses this car the most, as it was an automatic and therefore she drove it a lot more than any of the others.
Jeff
Here is the '65 Rivera Gran Sport we had for several years.
A nice combination of power and luxury.
Had all kinds of bells and whistles for cars of that era and then power to move it down the road.
Things like an auto dimmer to dim your brights when you met another car and interior door handles (optional) at the rear of the door arm rests so the people in the back seat could open the door if needed. All sorts of other items as well, not seen on most cars until much later.
The Gran Sport was available with 2 four barrel carbs mounted on a 425. They could be a pain to syncronize, but once set up properly, could get her scooting down the highway. The brakes left a lot to be desired however, with a tiny master cylinder supplying bulky drums brakes all the way around.
Gina misses this car the most, as it was an automatic and therefore she drove it a lot more than any of the others.
Jeff
BlackICE
GT Owner
It sounds like the 66 model had better brakes.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1966-1970-buick-riviera.htm
Buick had almost always prided itself on its brakes. To evaluate the finned, aluminum-clad, 12-inch front drum brakes that appeared on the 1966 Riviera, Kintigh had his brake development people test them over and over down Pikes Peak. The test mules were put in Drive, driven hard down the mountain, then driven back up to come down again. The cycle was repeated a number of times.
2112
Blue/white 06'
My friend in H.S. had a Root beer brown with tan vinyl (half) roof 72' boat tail. Tan leather inside. Lowered with 15x10 Craigger SS wheels all the way around and 265 in front and 295 in rear BFGs. 455 Big Block with headers and glass paks.
The car was just all out drop dead killer. His dad had a chain of Service stations and a body shop. I on the other hand got to borrow my Grandma's beat to shit 1970 Chevy C-10 2WD bar bones pick up with no power brakes or steering.
Man I wanted that Riv. Still do to this day 32 years later.
Jeff I take it the 65' is long gone as in never to return?
The car was just all out drop dead killer. His dad had a chain of Service stations and a body shop. I on the other hand got to borrow my Grandma's beat to shit 1970 Chevy C-10 2WD bar bones pick up with no power brakes or steering.
Man I wanted that Riv. Still do to this day 32 years later.
Jeff I take it the 65' is long gone as in never to return?
The Grey Ghost
GT Owner
It is still outside Indianappolis, IN. See it once in a while at Buick events.
Greg called me about 4 years ago to see if I wanted to buy it back. I passed at the time, which he later said he was glad, as he was happy to hang on to it.
- Jul 13, 2006
- 4,782
Like the 1971 Grand Prix SSJ too
Firemist Silver / Charcoal Vinyl roof
http://oldcarbrochures.org/index.php/NA/Pontiac/1972-Pontiac/1972-Pontiac-Brochure/1972-Pontiac-02
Firemist Silver / Charcoal Vinyl roof
http://oldcarbrochures.org/index.php/NA/Pontiac/1972-Pontiac/1972-Pontiac-Brochure/1972-Pontiac-02