Hello from Wisconsin with a 1965 Riviera

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by slowlane, Aug 9, 2018.

  1. slowlane

    slowlane Member

    Hello everyone.
    A couple days ago my dad handed me the keys to his old '65 Riviera. Dad bought it back in 2000 when I was 16 years old as a father/son project with my younger brother and I. I could easily write a book about all the trials, successes and failures with the car but I'll try to keep it brief. Over the next 18 years the Riv served various roles as his driver, project car/blown apart mess, end of driveway eyesore, our gradual non-methodical rebuild, my first metal work project, body shop purgatory, and finally "finished" nice looking driver. The Riviera had a Chevrolet 350 and TH350 hacked into it when dad bought the car but that was eventually replaced with a rebuilt 401/TH400 combo. For the past several years or so my dad's health deteriorated to the point he can no longer work on the Riviera anymore so I have taken over that role. I put on a different carburetor to replace the long troublesome one that he had fought with for a number of years. I installed new brake shoes, cleaned up some under dash wiring, had a small radiator leak repaired, changed all the fluids, adjusted the throttle switches for the switch pitch torque converter, and did a lot of other little adjusting and tinkering where needed. It runs better than it has in years and I enjoy driving it. I also repaired the A/C system and converted it to R-134 so that works for the first time since we have owned the Riv. Though my dad hasn't personally driven the Riviera in over a year, I make time to take him for a ride in it at least once a week.

    Here is the Riviera as it looks today.
    [​IMG]
     
    gs66, WQ59B, Harlockssx and 8 others like this.
  2. Chi-Town67

    Chi-Town67 Gold Level Contributor

    Welcome! Great story and a great looking car. I'm sure your Dad is very proud and loves riding in it.
    What part of Wisconsin are you from? And please, take some time to add your name to your signature at the bottom of the page.
     
  3. slowlane

    slowlane Member

    Thanks. Yes my dad was happy to give me the Riviera after the time I put into it over the years.
    I'm in the Waukesha area.
     
  4. UticaGeoff

    UticaGeoff Well-Known Member

    WOW!

    UticaGeoff
     
  5. rogbo

    rogbo Gold Level Contributor

    63 -65 Rivs best looking models Buick ever built.
    I'm sure you will agree. :D
     
    Harlockssx likes this.
  6. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    That Riviera screams so cal cruiser with those reversed cragars and WHITEWALLS sweet ride
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  7. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    Welcome! What part of the great state of WI are you from?
     
  8. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Beauty!
     
  9. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Welcome from Montana! That's a great looking Riviera, very cool you're keeping it going. Love the style you went with, if my '63 didn't have the red stripes on it I'd have it set up very similarly. Very, very cool.
     
  10. flippermtc

    flippermtc Valley Forge Pa- Go Phillies!

    Great story. Beautiful 65.
     
  11. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Welcome from Georgia! That’s a great story and a beautiful Riv. I like the Cragars too. Where in Wisonsin?
    Patrick
     
  12. Guy Parquette

    Guy Parquette Platinum Level Contributor

    Nice Riv! Welcome from Wi.
     
  13. 2001ws6

    2001ws6 last of the v8 interceptors

    Sweet Ride! Welcome Aboard! :cool:
     
  14. Steve Reynolds

    Steve Reynolds SRE Inc

    Nice looking Riv!! I'm near Manitowoc.
     
  15. slowlane

    slowlane Member

    Thanks for the welcome everyone and for the compliments on the Riviera. I'm near Waukesha in southeast WI. The Cragars really made the car when I put them on last year. The old road wheels were pretty crusty and detracted from the rest of the car in a huge way. I would love to do about a 2" drop and get maybe a size or two smaller tires next time for a sort of early 70's lowrider look.
     
    1972Mach1 likes this.
  16. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    Come to the all Buick show tomorrow at Matty’s Bar and Grill in New Berlin on College Ave!

    Registration starts at 9:00 am!
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2018
  17. slowlane

    slowlane Member

    I would but unfortunately I'll be working until 5:00.
     
  18. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    2" will look good. My car is dropped a bit more than 3", you've got to watch the exhaust on speed bumps!
    trip7.png
     
    Guy Parquette and Harlockssx like this.
  19. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Welcome from SE Michigan!
     
  20. slowlane

    slowlane Member

    That is a nice Riviera you have there. I like the '65-ified '63-'64's because I prefer the rear end styling of those years over the '65 rear. I do really like Rivieras lowered. With the reversed offset I already get a little front tire rub on the inner fender if I hit a dip or bump while turning sharp, so these tires would have to go before any lowering would happen. Maybe next time it needs tires.
     

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