I am working on a 71 Riviera custom. I have created a "one off" split window coupe. I was able to use several pieces of stock window trim to frame out the new split rear window to create a factory appearance. The goal is to take Jerry Hirshberg and Bill Mitchell's original design inspired by Bob Mclean's split window 63 Corvette and apply it to the Riviera and create a car that GM COULD have built but didn't. I will post updates as the project moves forward. It will also have a custom interior that I will post pics of soon. I hope you enjoy following this project as it progresses.
This is the door panel for the custom interior. the car weill be painted black on the exterior. The exterior will look very similar to the attached photo which inspired me to buy my 3rd boattal.
sure would like to follow it along in the Boattail Registry - unlimited picture space and they can be larger size then on here. http://www.boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/ plus there are lots member benefits like library access, special downloads etc
yes but no info or pictures and you let it downgrade to public entry only - email from site to get reactivated.
Looking forward to following the progress, nicely done! Our tastes are similar. The black car that inspired you is sporting many subtle changes that work together beautifully in my opinion. Devon
Buick T-Type steering wheel, 72 Electra venti-ports installed. Dash and carpet will be black and seats and door panels red.
Marty sure would to see the work as it evolves and more info on your registry members page - I reactivated and added some to your page see your email new password. You never got to min and missed out all the info that in the downloads catch up plus some real good coming in this weeks members update - you wont find anywhere else.
I like it. Always liked boattail Rivieras, and '63 corvette was the first car I "fell in love with". The combo should be interesting.
It looks like an awesome project... I do remember hearing from a couple of interviews done about the 'tails that it was among the most painful experiences Mitchell and crew ever undertook. The cars were scheduled to be built on the "next-gen' Skylark platform, but Buick management delayed that car's development, forcing the new Riv to be upscaled to the "B'" body instead. Long story short, it was this move that made Bill begin to question his position within GM. He was later quoted saying as he retired, that is time had come to find the exit because of his experience with the Vega... "trying to design a good looking small car is like trying to tailor a dwarf". is the legendary quote, but I don't have any confirmation of it's veracity.
That's interesting, I didn't know that. I actually thought the Vega was not a bad looking car. I especially like the Vega wagons.
The two cars reportabliy caused all kinds of turmoil between GM Corporate and Engineering with Ed Cole pushing the Vega on John Delorean and forcing Bill Mitchell to use B body off the self components on Riviera (thus the E platform) neither of them were happy. Vega Won -1971 Motor Trend "Car of the Year" -1971 Car and Driver Readers Choice Poll- "Best Economy Sedan" </pre>Vega was a big sales success over 200,000 sold in 71 and 2 million total , it also has consistently been on most of the top ten worst cars lists since - shows what marketing can do those auto journalists know. Riviera got very little press and sales dropped in early the 70's around 30,000 a yea. I'd buy a vega and prefer the wagon also too. But because they were disposable and fell apart and rusted away before the 80's were over a good one is even harder to find then a boattail today.
A quick update on the split window boatail. The engine is at the shop being totally rebuilt, it has been there a while but I am in no big hurry because the body is not done yet. I have not spent much time working on it this winter but as they say "it ain't eating anything" and it is in a dry garage. I took a short break on it to get my 65 Ford Country Squire wagon ready to paint. I plan on tackling the Riv. this summer as well as my new to me 73 Ford F250 4 door crew cab that I will be using as a my tow pig for car shows.
There is a split window model year 1971 Riviera in France, a very nice custom. I saw it at a big show in Switzerland, let me dig up some old photos :TU:
Looking good!:TU: I did the split window look with paint on my 72! The picts of the black riv also inspired me!
The window split and door panel mods look great. I love doing and seeing subtle cosmetic changes to improve on what the manufacturer either fell short on or safety regulations wouldn't allow. Keep up the good work.
