Looks like the emblems are in the wrong location. I think the posi rear was optional on the standard Riv
My emblems are centered like that too and I know I have a 3.42 posi and the few other things a GS requires. I think mine may be a clone, but I am told there are centered emblems on real GS cars...
as far as I know, 3.42 Please don't give me more bad news. I know the drivers fender was replaced, it is a different color underneath. I never checked the pass. side
My thinking is I don't see how so many people put the GS emblems on wrong (and the same way wrong) on so many cars that had posi. Maybe some factory or even some shifts centered the embems.. o No: o No:
Because A) LOTS of Rivvy's had a posi and...B) It's an EASY clone with no VIN verifier!!! C) That grey Riv's GS emblems are about as original as that INCORRECT sail panel emblem. Frank, your emblems were probably put on the same time the guy put the (incorrect) grill emblem on there as well. Look guys, if you want a real GS, search one out, they are out there. I found one. If you have a clone, fine, just don't try to justify why it "might" be real. If it has a 3.42 posi, and ALL the other supporting stuff (a build sheet will help your cause), then it may be real and you may have an argument. If you have a 3.08 Posi or higher (lower numerically), then chances are you don't have a GS. By the way, I don't believe I have EVER seen a real Riv GS that didn't have the emblems lined up w/ the bottom of the RIVIERA letters. You guys can argue all you want and try to make yourselves feel better about having bought a fake, but, if it is real, it will NOT be centered. By the way John, I think if your car has a 3.42 it is probably real. It is possible that, IF the front fenders were replaced, the body shop screwed it up...check deeper, look for a build sheet.
a) you sound angry, and I don't know why... b)I think I have a clone, but the car has no substantial value either way, so it's not a big deal. c) please post your first name, as that is the custom here... Frank
Frank, I am not angry in the least bit, I have much more important things to spend emotion on than emblems on fake GS's. I was just trying to make a point. It was not directed toward anyone inparticular. Most know me already as the guy who had the '73 4-speed Stage1 in Hemming's Muscle Machines a few months ago. I have owned tons of Buicks, 5 '69 Riv's and a '68, three of them GS's. Also a few Stage1 GS's. Sorry, didn't mean to be rude by not signing my post. I started this thread. My name and personal info: Mike Berkemeier Columbus, Ohio 614-893-3857 Oh, and by the way Frank, I think your car has tons of value. Don't underestimate it so much. Any Riv is worth a bunch nowadays...and only growing in value! Thanks, Mike
Has anyone ever found a build sheet in a 68-69 Riviera? Ive torn my 69 apart looking for it. I know its has to be in the 68 I have, as that car has never been apart and the only other owner since new was my uncle.
Riviera GS Hey John - that's my 'clone', or whatever the BJ Auction types call it. The position for the emblems was determined by matching a 'beyond repair' GS parts car. All of the original 68/69 Riviera GS cars I have seen have the emblem centered on RIVIERA. The Riviera GS option - A9 (Chrome breather cover, 3.42 posi, heavy duty suspension, WW tires, and non-existent specific ornamentation) could also be ordered as individual options, or dealer installed accessories, with the exception of the non-existant specific ornamentation, which never existed. :TU: Mike/Frank/Jason - The sail panel tri-shield emblems are 'added', as it's my car and that's the way I like it ! (Good eye Mike ! :TU: ) I have parted 2 Rivieras to complete my resto, and never found a build sheet in any of them, including my 'clone' and I looked everywhere. I do have the original Window Sticker, which is just about as good as a build sheet, and the protecto plate booklet, along with the Fisher Body tag and some other Buick literature that came with the cars. I also think any Riviera is a sweet ride, and enjoy mine every time I get the opportunity to take it out, and show it off ! :beer :TU:
Randy, I love your car and the color and have it in a special folder in my computer. I would just like to know if there is any definative way to tell a real GS. Any one can stick emblems on, I would think that not many would go to great lenths to install every correct part, especially 5 - 10 years ago. I love my car either way, but would not want to pass it off as a GS if it is not. If anyone has specifics and part #'s, please let us know. I'm sure a lot of people would be interested. Thanks, John
The only way to tell a real GS is by the original window sticker or build sheet. All the options could be had ala carte and the emblems are available on the internet. There is no VIN or body ID to help. The main thing to look for is the 3.42 posi, but that was available separately also... frank
'68 Riviera GS Just like Frank sez John ! :TU: Unfortunately there are no specific records available for GS model cars - other than the total number produced in any specific year. For that reason, original documentation (Original Dealer Sales Record, Window Sticker, or Build Sheet) is just about the only way to verify a true GS. That reason also makes it very easy to pass off fabricated clones as original GS models if someone chooses to. Mine is a GS replica, not an original, and is always presented as such - but it certainly has not hampered my enthusiasm or enjoyment of the car ! :beer :TU:
Exactly what is considered heavy duty suspension? Is it the posi, are sway bars different, different bushings? thanks, john
HD Suspension Only springs and shock absorbers John - 'heavy duty' suspension was also a factory installed option (H2 - Ride and Handling Option, Specific front and rear springs and shock absorbers - Standard with the A9 GS Option) and could be ordered with any Riviera. :TU:
Emotions and money have both converged with great fury to create some wild prices. With that comes the unscrupulous pulling anything from the '60s and '70s out of garages and portraying them as "EXTREMELY RARE" and "One of ONLY ###", or "this thing is mint", "own a true muscle car" - hoping some won't do their homework. The Riv is nice looking, either way. I would just make sure I wasn't paying a GS price, unless it could be proven to be a real GS. But with the Riv, nearly all options could be had on any Riv, GS or not. I was looking at a Riv GS once and contacted the Riv Club. They said for the particular year I was looking at there was absolutely no way to verify without the sticker or build sheet. You couldn't even tell by options, since those can easily be swapped out.
Randy, there is specific ornementation on on the GS, it's the GS fender emblems! In Canada, it's possible to know if a Riviera came with or without the GS package with the GM vintage service. Even without the documentation, some years can be identified as real GS or not. I know how to for 67 Rivieras. If somebody wants to know if a particular 67 is a GS or not, send me a PM and I'll tell you the information I need to identify it. I spotted two "fake non GS" 1967 Rivs (real GS with missing fender badges) and I bought one of them as a parts car. It's owner saw my car and said I was lucky to have a GS... His car missed the GS badges and had a strato bench seat so he thought it wasn't a GS (but it was!). I didn't inform him about it before I bought it! The other one also missed the badges but the owner had found the build sheet, it was a basket case but the owner wanted more than twice as much as I was willing to pay for it so he kept it! About the springs, some Rivs with the GS package got the regular springs. Even if the sales litterature said that the GS package included HD springs, it wasn't always true. The HD shocks were part of the package however.
Riviera GS Hi Phil - I was aware that the fender badges identified a GS, and thanks for the additional info ! :TU: The specific ornamentation I was refering to as 'non existent' was the instrument panel (glovebox door) Riviera GS symbol which appeared one year only, but was referenced in advertising literature for subsequent years. Maybe our paths will cross this summer ! :beer :TU:
