Let me first start by saying I'm not a huge Buick fan (please dont bash me: just not my taste). I was handed down my grandmothers 1972 Buick Riviera GS last month: original dark red paint with white vinyl top and off white interior. Car is in overall really good condition and runs. The unique thing about this car is it does not get any better than it being grandmas car unless you also had the car that sat in grandfathers warehouse in dry west texas for 25 years (however, it was pulled out 5 years ago and put under a car port where it saw a little sun every day). The car is currently at a mechanic getting a complete tuneup, fluids changed, new water pump, new radiator, electronic ignition, gas tank dropped and cleaned. This car does need some TLC, but does not need to be rebuilt; but I would call it more like reconditioned. My dilema is that I'm not sure what to do with it. If I keep it I'm going to completely customize the car, as I prefer custom cars and from past history I cannot rebuild a car without customizing. If I do customize it: it will be an extremely pimped out car and maybe a keeper. However, my love for classics is telling me customizing this particular car since it is in really good all original condition would be a terrible waste. I'm not sure I could keep it original, and if I could I would probably not want to keep it. So I guess I have 3 options: 1. force myself to keep it original and sell, 2. customize to my taste and keep, 3. sell as is and make someone looking for all original very very happy. What should I do?
Well. If you can't get turned on by a boattail, then for God's sake (and the sake of everyone else) just sell it to someone who will. That being said, these cars are already pretty custom and about the only thing I've seen that can improve on what Buick did is to do a split front bumper. If you are serious about "pimping it" then for God's sake (and the sake of everyone else) just sell it to someone who will not make it look like crap with 24" hoopties and faux fur! And if you don't intend to butcher it too bad, then OK........ unless you plan on doing something totally assinine like dropping a goddam shibby crate motor into the poor thing. If that is the case, then for God's sake (and the sake of everyone else) just sell it to someone who will treat it with respect. Do you have any idea what you were just given?????? A VERY good condition BOATTAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the love of Pete, man. Don't be a deuche bag and keep it and enjoy it! Do you have any idea how few people alive today have ever seen one of those?????????? And by '72 bucket seats in Rivieras were becoming a very rare option. Split front bumper, aluminum TA heads, notched pistons and hot cam will give you 500HP and with a 3000 RPM converter you will have a deep 12 second ride with AC, power windows and buckets. If you are going to sell it put me first in line. Thanks.
The only way I would have extra chrome parts is if I end up customizing it: as I prefer cars to be completely shaved. First thing I would do to this car is modify the front bumper to a split bumper (cut out all bumper in front of the grill). Then followed by getting rid of all emblems, side markers, side mirrors, handles, and so on.
Please, please, please sell that original car to someone who will appreciate it's originality. An unmolested Riv GS is rare! Then take the money from the sale and find something else to customize- preferably something not so original.
The Buick Gestapo are alive and well! It's your car, but you did ask, so hope your skin is thick. You won't be the first or last to do a little customizing. I've seen some nice looking custom boattails. Hey, since you are in Texas, how about some long horns on the hood!:grin:
I would do the long horns and cow hide skin, but I feel that has to be left for convertibles. Long Horns are sweet on the right car.
Get it up and running.....sell it and customize something else. I say that because as you already see, you have an eager market of potential purchasers of your car...the money you could re-coup would set you up in something where aftermarket parts would be much more available and affordable...think 2nd gen Camaro.:TU:
If it wasn't a GS I'd say do what you want with it. But it is a GS with bucket seats to boot. You would be doing the Riviera car hobby justice to sell to someone who will restore it.
I would suggest you sell it to a "Buick Guy" That is a very nice car and looks to be in decent condition. Im sure you could find something else to customize with the money you could get for the Rivi. That car will catch some eyes on this board if you decide to sell it here. And you could rest assured it would be restored to its former glory and spend the rest of its days getting the treatment it deserves. But, as always, its your car so do as you wish. :TU: Personally, Id love to own her. And your Grandma had good taste.:3gears:
I say sell it. Obviously you have something fairly rare these days and plenty of folks would appreciate it just the way it is. Like my 71 GS, mostly original and unmolested. I consider myself a caretaker for the next owner. After 16 years I wonder if there will be a next owner!!o No:
Why on earth would you want to remove what are probably the coolest door handles on any american car (a tie with the Stingray handles)? I get the whole "shaving" thing, but those door handles are a work of art.
OK.. I just received a call from my grandmother, and she also has the original sales receipts and documents, so I believe I'm going to keep it all original. My plan is to 3m finesse paint, wax, and polish everything. I will detail interior and engine compartment. This car will be someones dream car when I'm finished. I will post pics after I complete the reconditioning.
I do not have the original paperwork in my hands yet, but I'm interested in knowing if this car is a stage 1: how do I know?
