Ever since I sold Woodrow, my 49 Chevy tin woody wagon, I've been casually looking for its replacement. This past week, I found a really nice 65 Riviera that needs nothing cosmetically but does require some work. It has had mice in it and the interior will have to be stripped out, cleaned up and headliner replaced. Also, a few mechanical things and a detail job on the engine compartment will make it like I want it. These are hard to find, especially in this condition. Best of all, it was only 2 hours away. I am trying to come up with a name. Old Yeller' and Mickey are the 2 I have thought of. Suggestions? BTW, it is not a Gran Sport. Previous owner put those badges on it because he liked them with the red line tires.
Well, the badges are mounted with studs, so there would be 2 holes left over if I removed them. Not ready to do that yet. Thanks.
Beautiful car! 'Old Yeller' does have a Buick History. Max Balchowsky built a race car in 1959 which was thus named. Max was well known for his prowess for extracting power from the Nailhead. https://www.oldyeller2.com/ 'Mellow Yellow' I like too....
De-mousing is complete, except for the headliner. It will be late July before it arrives. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of things to do. I rebuilt the original AFB because it has linkage that works the switches for the switch pitch ST400 transmission. The engine had a tick in it, so I removed the valve covers, intake and valley cover to inspect. I found absolutely nothing wrong except the splash shield had been installed under the filler rather than the PCV. So, while it's disassembled, I sandblasted all those pieces and am now waiting on favorable weather to paint them. Since I couldn't paint, I decided to inspect the brake system. Yikes! The MC had about 1/4" of rusty brake fluid in it. I sure am glad I didn't drive it home that way. After checking several other things, I decided that I am going to leave the brake system stock. So, I ordered wheel cylinders, hoses, master cylinder, front wheel bearings, etc. Everything but the steel tubing and the vacuum booster will be replaced. Fortunately, the drums and shoes are great. Unfortunately, I won't have parts until next Tuesday. The cooling system is going to require major flushing action, as well. I cannot believe how someone will own a nice car like this and do absolutely no maintenance on it for over 11 years. Some people just have no clue, I guess. I also ordered new tires to replace the new 13 year old ones that are on the car. If you are buying an old car, be sure to check the fluids. They often get neglected and can cause expensive damage, especially if you can't do the work yourself.
First, I blew the interior out and demoused it. I still have to replace the headliner later this month. After replacing everything in the hydraulic system except the hard lines, I have great brakes. I also put 2" drop springs from Eaton Detroit and Viking double adjustable shocks on the front end. (I am still waiting for the rears and will change the rear springs when I install them.) I am waiting for my new front sway bar, also. I rebuilt the carb, recurved the distributor and installed an electric choke. I found that the splash shield for the PCV was installed on the wrong side. I think one of the rockers was ticking on it. Now, it runs great and is very smooth. I also fixed some wiring issues with the switch pitch and kickdown and started flushing the cooling system. Yesterday, I charged the AC and suddenly the blower quit. A replacement relay was installed today and I have cold AC, so I took it for my first drive. Wow! This car drives really well already and will be better by the time I am finished with quick ratio steering box and the aforementioned rear suspension stuff. I wish I could get my 61 to drive like this. Hopefully, the custom upper control arms I am having built will do just that. Anyway, I am impressed with my Riviera. What a cool driver this is going to be! Oh, and a name just came to me as I was driving it. It drives and rides as smooth as .....Butter!
...congrats, great score. My fav Riv. My vote's for "Mellow Yellow," but you'd need at least an 8-character vanity plate for it to work; "MELO YLO" (could do it with 7 characters, but not many would get it)...
...I too like YOM plates on classics (YOM Honolulu HI on my '71 (when I finally found new plates and sticker), but I went vanity on GN, "1987WE2." It wasn't old enough at time...
I run Michigan YOM plates (on the front only) of my cars, with regular plates on the back. Because my Riviera spent its whole life in North Carolina up until now, however, I'm honoring that by running an NC plate on the front.
