Like many of you, I got into Buicks through family. My Buick roots go way back to 1953. After serving in WWII, my grandpa started a small tree cutting service. Once business got good, he sold out and opened up a gas station on a residential lot. On the lot was 2 pumps, and a shack big enough to fit about 5 people. In that shack, he started rebuilding dynaflows and became somewhat famous in the area as the best dynaflow rebuilder. Today, we are at the same residential lot, now with a 4 bay full service station. The gas pumps are gone, but the old man remains a staple in the community. My grandpa turns 90 on June 3, 2015. We are working with a local car show to dedicate the show in his honor. Our 63 riv with an original 425 (1 of 2601) is the last car my grandpa bought in the early 80s. He sold his 41 dual carb 5-6 years ago that has since been fully restored. He also sold our 53 road master that he restored with my dad and uncle about 5 years ago as well. This is the last one we have. The Riv is loaded with options: leather seats, power everything, automatic headlights, AM-FM, and of course the 425. The old car runs great, and is sort of rust free. It needs quarter patches, but otherwise it is pretty solid. Ironically, it's dynaflow is shot and needs a rebuild. We are tempted to have my grandpa do it, but his eyesight and hearing are going to the wind. This is post is mostly to share my story of one of the most inspiring people I know. However, I also need your help. Can someone link me to a good dynaflow rebuild kit? If anyone is interested in attending the show (bring your buick!) let me know. Currently we hope is old 41 will be there (now fully restored) my 70 GS, and my 87 GN. Thanks! Louie The '63 Riviera. In the photo is our longest tenured mechanic. He knows the coordinator of the show and is setting this up. This picture is from 5 years ago. The riv is the exact same. The '53 that was restored in the late 70s. This car got rough over the years from poor storage.
Great story about your Grandpa. Thank you for posting. Like your grandpa, my father started with a small gas station and a 2 bay shop and I loved growing up at his shop. I don't know anything about building transmissions but I'm sure someone on here will. I hope the best for your grandpa and his 90th and good luck re-building the Riv. He will love it. I would love attending your car show but I'm not ready to drive that far. (not yet)
Cool story! I hope you are successful in getting that Rivi back to top-notch running condition! As for Dynaflow kits, I haven't had to look for one in years, sorry, can't help you there. Is the reverse gone?
Very neat story Louie - you might want to ask your question and post pics in the Riviera (ROA) section of the AACA Forum. Plenty of very knowledgeable 1st generation Riviera types on that site ! :TU:
That's great Louie. I see kits in Kanter and CARS catalogs. But I don't know if they're good or not. The man that re-built our Dynaflow 14 years ago, closed his shop and sadly has passed away. I hope there's a great turnout of Buicks !
Awesome thread! Funny too, since my gramps turns 90 on june 6th of this year. We actually hunted down his old C10 work truck a few years ago..its only 3 miles from where he lives, and was restored at some point along the way
Louie, Regarding the Dynaflow rebuild kit, I would ask Tom Telesco (TelRiv) The best way to get in touch with him is call him at his business , (203) 324-6045
The '63 is my all-time favorite Riv. Buick got it right the first time. I do realize that the Riviera name had been in use by Buick for years. My first car - a '51 Super, was a Riviera. Nice story.
Thank you all for your input and support! I am going to give Tom a call to try and get the ball rolling on this! Stay tuned for updates. edit: Found a few more pictures. She isn't the prettiest girl at the dance but she has a ton of potential. It will be special to him just to see the car out and running again. When the time comes to restore the car it it will be nice to start with a solid car.
When I started this thread, I thought the plan with this car was going to be getting it mechanically sound and safe to drive for the show. My dad has other plans. He is turning this into an over-ambitious attempt to get it painted and assembled by the second week of June. I think this is unlikely, but I'm up for the challenge. In my opinion, this car will be in final primer for the show. Over the years, we have collected a lot of parts for this car such as rechromed bumpers, trim, etc. The past 2 weekends we got the car dug out and out into light for the first time since the original pictures in this thread were taken. The car is 90% rust free believe it or not. There is no rot anywhere on the car except both lower quarter sections and trunk drops. Patches are going to be made for them since there is no aftermarket availability. The frame, floor, and trunk pan are solid with light surface rust. The fenders, doors, hood, trunk lid, and roof skin are rust free. Most of the car is original paint with some light bodywork started by my Dad 15 years ago. Goals: Mechanically reliable and safe. recover leather seats and new carpet Paint car With the 3 major goals in place, this is the hopeful end result for the show. I don't plan on completely redoing the interior or detailing the motor/engine bay. The future goal for this car is a nice frame on restoration. Parts ordered so far: full exhaust, correct 1963 master cylinder and brake switch (currently has a 64 master that is not compatible with the switch), power steering pressure hose. We definitely need a carpet, 1 1963 stainless spinner hubcap that was melted in a fire in 1989, door sill plates SO FAR. I called Tom T. to order a seal for the leaky dynaflow tail shaft but didn't get an answer and it wouldn't let me leave a message. I will give him another call tomorrow. So buckle up, hopefully we can thrash this car and have it painted in two months....
Outside and running... Great start. Now there's no time to waist, get the paint in interior going. :TU:
Update: on April 30th, 2015, my maternal grandmother passed away at 72 after a 2 year fight with pancreatic cancer. It has been a difficult go for my family over these past couple of months. My grandma was the quintessential "rock" on that side of my family. This was the first time we had to deal with a close loved one passing so needless to say it's been a rough couple of months. However, we prevailed and got the Riv worthy enough to show off at the show for my paternal grandpas 90th. We slammed on the new exhaust at 6:30 AM Sunday and got to the show about 11AM. My grandpa was in all his glory telling his WWII stories and and his Buick stories. He's still as sharp at 90 as he was at 70, just can't see or hear as well. The car was well received as a "survivor" and garnered far more attention then my 87 GN. Here's the only pic I took with him and the car. We have others on another phone that I will have to get and post. Oh, and out of almost 200 cars we were 2 of 4 Buicks there. Louie
Awesome family project Louie. Am I the only one who can't see any pics?? Weird, but after I posted, the pics showed! (???)
