New Riviera owner.

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by MartinHoward, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. MartinHoward

    MartinHoward Guest

    Just joined up to learn and hopefully share experiences owning a 69 Riviera. Had it about a week, no stranger to 60s up GM vehicles both here and back home in Australia. Right now doing a leaking water pump and power steering hoses. Really looking forward to getting some miles in before winter though
     

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  2. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    She sure is pretty. and has some mods I see:)
     
    MartinHoward likes this.
  3. MartinHoward

    MartinHoward Guest

    Still getting familiar with what’s been changed, replaced and the options. I have a carbon of the original bill of sale, little hard to read some of it though. The car came with a bunch of paperwork and receipts from the last owners which I’ve worked out to be 3 previous as far as I can tell.
     

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    Nailhead in a 1967 likes this.
  4. MartinHoward

    MartinHoward Guest

    Thank you. From paperwork and visual there is a couple engine mods and trans work. I have receipts from Kenne-Bell for one of their transmissions and switch pitch converter. Very familiar with hi stall converters but never had the choice of stock or hi stall at the same time. Not sure how reliable but I guess all this work was done back in very early eighties and it’s still going.
     
    PGSS likes this.
  5. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    They used what they called a "ST400" I believe from 1965 to 1967 and was also called a "switch/pitch" tranny.
    It's a Turbo 400 tranny and is one tough unit and can take good abuse and great abuse when modded more. Not many issues with the switch/pitch trannys.

    Also from 1965 to 1966 they used the switch/pitch on the ST300 which was a 2 speed trans. They were used on the A body Buick like the Skylark and Skylark GS>
    Your ST400 was used on the big cars expect the one year 1967 GS400.

    As you mentioned it i'm guessing was wired in for you to control?
    Your car is modded with Kenne-Bell parts which make me think your ST400 might have smaller ST300 12 inch converter which has a higher stall.
     
    MartinHoward likes this.
  6. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Thats so sad to see the building like that.
    Part of us growing up was the joy of seeing a variety of GM cars in bright and shiny dealers.
     
  7. MartinHoward

    MartinHoward Guest

    I have a toggle and indicator light low on the dash for switching between stalls. I will take another look at the paperwork as I only went through it real quickly when purchased.
     
    PGSS likes this.
  8. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    On my 66 Skylark GS the S/P was wired through the windshield wiper circuit if your curious..
     
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  9. MartinHoward

    MartinHoward Guest

    Thank you! That might be a great addition.
     
  10. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    These look nice and SWEET..
    Can I have one please???:) Capture.PNG
     
    MartinHoward likes this.
  11. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Welcome to the club. Also a second gen Riviera fan.. Started messing with these cars in 85 . Have a 68 now I've been messing with for 11 years.
     

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    MartinHoward likes this.
  12. MartinHoward

    MartinHoward Guest

    Don’t visit as much as I would like. Left there in 1999. Went back to visit family in 2017 and 2019 right before all the current issues. With the way things are now not sure how long it will be until I can see family again.
     
    PGSS likes this.
  13. breakinbuick11

    breakinbuick11 Platinum Level Contributor

    Welcome! My dad’s first car was a ‘68. He still has it and 2 69s. One of the more under appreciated Buick’s in my opinion, and yours looks to be a beautiful example. Enjoy it!
     
    MartinHoward likes this.
  14. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Nailhead in a 67,
    Is this a inside joke:confused:
    Yes cornering lights are rare;) but I thought all Riv's came standard with a automatic and the Electra also.
     
  15. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Welcome aboard from NY.
    Fred
     
    MartinHoward likes this.
  16. 69Riv

    69Riv Platinum Level Contributor

    Thought I’d add to this thread that I got lost in one of the purges of spam registrations as MartinHoward and joined up again as 69Riv. I’ve been quiet on the posting but have been busy on the Riviera getting it running considerably better. I spend a lot of time on here reading and learning more about the Riviera and Buicks of similar years but never seem to find the time to post. Trying to change that by this first post as member 69Riv.
     
    69RivieraGS, 2manybuicks and FLGS400 like this.
  17. 1969RIVI

    1969RIVI Well-Known Member

    Welcome from Ontario, Canada and from a fellow Riv owner. Mine is a 69 also.
    Cheers, Bob
     
    69Riv likes this.
  18. lemmy-67

    lemmy-67 Platinum Level Contributor

    Welcome to the board, nice 2nd generation example...I do most definitely approve. Nice Elderbork finned valve covers, I got my stock ones chromed like Briz.
     
    69Riv likes this.

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