WOW! I love the early Rivieras! Your plans for it's look are spot on retaining it's elegance.

This is one to watch.

We have been working on the Riviera and making good progress.

original nailhead
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/004-1.jpg



480 HP LS3 will be disguised with stock style air cleaner and valve covers to pay tribute to the appearance of the original.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...viera/0093.jpg




http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/016-1.jpg



firewall smoothed but will have heater and AC lines coming from it to give a "factory" type appearance.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/018.jpg



RS fast track front clip will be grafted into factory framerails
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...viera/0084.jpg

I love your taste in cars.

If you checkout the Buick Nailhead group at yahoo.com you can find many go fast parts for the Nailhead you have. Don't forget the TS400 Transmissions that comes with them. They are sweet and have that switch pitch torque convertor on it.

I anxious to watch your build. '65 Riv's Rule!

I'm guessing your will be black??

Here is what it will look like:

Thanks! The original engine and trans will be sold along with suspension and AC. The Buick purists won't be happy with the car, but the owner will! The car will go some shade of grey like the rendering but the wheels will be downsized to a stepped lip 18". I do like the Riv in the pics you posted though! Very cool.:thumbsup:

A few progress shots........

initial mock up of LS3..

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/015-2.jpg


In order to get our engine/4L70 trans where we needed it, a new tunnel was required...

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/001.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/010.jpg


the original console will bolt in like stock..

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/007.jpg


RS fast track installed, when the body is removed, all finishing welding will be completed

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/015-1.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/031.jpg

Nice work guys. Love that front stub too.

Looking good!

This is one of the factory kustoms. perfect off the showroom. I do feel it is a waster to remove the nail. Suspension and OD trans , OK, but the beauty of a nail is unparalleled.

Good build otherwise.. Hope to land a 65 myself.

Love 'em '65 Riviera's...!
 

Torn here...really love the '65 Riviera's just like they are,glad you're not ruining that lovely Bill Mitchell designed exterior or interior...thay are both pure perfection.

Riviera Owners Association had their national meet 2 weeks ago here in Monterey,and while I agree the 65's lend themselves perfectly to be customized (and they had a custom class as well) but I prefer them completely stock...:yes

Trio of Black 1963's:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04678.jpg

1965 GS's:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04660.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04655.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04651.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04657.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04659.jpg

These cars are rarer then hen's teeth...
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04667.jpg

I here what you guys are saying about the "natural" beauty of these cars and knew it would be a controversial move doing what were doing, but we WILL reatain the elegance and style that made these cars what they are. The owner loves the styling of the car but wanted something that drove as close to a new car as possible, that he could take anywhere. I think when its all said and done we will have a car that all but the hard core purists will appreciate and understand. Well thats the goal anyway, lol!:)