Paint and Body Pictures:

Some Almost finished Pictures
 

To all:

I hope these turn out well. I took the car out for a drive yesterday, and for 46 year old Technology via a 425 Buick Nailhead, it really Hauls Ass.

With the help, of posi-traction, huge sway bars, KYB Gas Shocks, Urethane Bushings, Disk Brakes, and a 12.7:1 Steering Box, this car handles really well.

I think for a "Vintage Style", Pro-Touring Car this is a pretty respectable car. I hope soon I can come out and play with the rest of the guys in this. I think it will surprise some of the people.

I hope you like it.

Take care,

Ty O'Neal

i freakin love those riv`s.

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staged67gspwr:

I understand. Since I grew up with this car, (I was 3 when it was bought) I think this is where I learned to enjoy the smell of burning rubber, and the sound of squealing tires.

This is going to be a vary fun car to drive. I'm really interested in what the Engines output will be when I have it Dyno'ed.

The big sway bars, urethane bushings, quick steering box, gas shocks, and disc brakes, have made a huge difference in handling. The tires seem to be the big limiting factor at this point.

If it irritates me enough, I'll get some some of these:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WV...4044/?rtype=10

These are 17 inch. Some lower profile, and some extra width should really help pick up the slack.

It will fun to see what a,"Old Technology, Pro Touring", car could do.

I'll try and get a Member Folder made for it.

Take care,

Ty

To Everyone:

As things are winding down here is a list of the items that have been replaced, adjusted or modified.

Information about the Engine, Transmission, and Rear End, followed by the Suspension Specifications.

Original Matching Numbers Engine:

425 c.i. Nailhead (LX Code)
Stock Block De-burred and repainted, "Riviera Green"
Original Forged crankshaft
Original Forged Rods
Stock Cast Pistons
Engine Balanced and Blue Printed
New Rings and Bearing throughout
Cam W-30, 233/233 Duration @.050, .474/.474 Lift at a true 1.6:1 Ratio, LSA 112* (Carman Faso)
Heads - intake and exhaust port matched, Bowls, Chambers, and Ports Cleaned up
New guides and seats (Carman Faso)
New Stainless, Swirl Polished Valves with 5 way grind
T/A Performance Roller Rockers
Original Cast Aluminum Buick Valve Covers
High Volume Oil Pump
Original Buick 2X4 intake port matched
Original Carbs rebuilt, and re-jetted
Original Air Intake Re-Chromed
Distributor turned, HEI and Tuned (Carman Faso)
T/A Shorty Ceramic Coated Headers, 2.5 inch minimum ID exhaust all the way back using 26 inch 2.5 ID Power Sticks, and "Classic" Chambered Resonators 2.5 inch ID.

Transmission

Original Matching Numbers TS 400
High Performance Valve Body
Reworked Governor Installed
Rest of Transmission gone through for quality
Re-worked 300 (12 inch?) Switch Pitch Torque Convertor. Stalls at 1600 rpm's at the low stall, and 2800 - 3200 rpm's at the high Stall
Case repainted
Seals, Gaskets, and Drive Shaft Joints replaced or serviced

Rear End

3.23 Posi Serviced and installed, replacing Original Peg leg Carrier, and 3.23 Gears.

Suspension

KYB Gas Adjustable Shocks
Stock Springs
1.25 Front Sway Bar
1.0 Rear sway Bar
Poly Urethane Bushings everywhere (The Black ones not the Red ones)
11.00 Inch Front Disc Brakes
New Master Cylinder and Power Booster
Lee Engineering 12.7:1 Steering Box
New Tires, 225-75-R15 all around
Re-Chromed Stock Buick Rallye Wheels (1965) (I still have the Wire spinner hub caps that came with it)

Body

All dents and dings removed
Repainted the Original Color, "Regal Black"

Interior

Original, "Regal Black" Deluxe Interior with Walnut Veneer and Original "Walnut" Steering Wheel
Detailed and Polished
Remote Toggle Switch, for Variable Pitch Transmission for some light to light action.
Vintage Buick, "Nailhead" Knee Knocker Tach. Mounted on Steering column, (In process of building the mount)

Photo Album with some Selected Pictures.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rivlis...?order=ordinal

Hope you enjoy seeing my very special 1965 Riviera, and thanks to all the people who advised, helped with the wrench turning, or encouraged along the way.

Any comments or or suggestions are welcome.

Sincerely,

Ty O'Neal

This is a very cool.These are really classy car's.:thumbsup: Scott

I really like this style of build. I went a similar route with my '69 Z28. Being an original Z with it's original motor, I didn't want to change anything that couldn't easily be changed back. I updated the #'s 302 with aluminum heads, modern cam and valvetrain, headers and exhaust. The suspension got goodies from Hotchkis and Koni. I have not yet upgraded the brakes, mainly because I can currently run either my Forgelines or my 15" Minilites. The best part is, this car could be returned to stock right down to the smog system in a couple of days (but it's a whole lot more fun to drive now).

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...tos/Side-1.jpg

trade the rivi for a stupid fast austin mini? :cheers:

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Neil:

I like the way you did your Z/28. It makes a lot of sense to make it fun, yet not burn any "Original Bridges" behind you. For my taste with this Riviera, as you did with your car, originality AND some subtle modern upgrades create a tasteful balance of the old and new.

BTW: Your car looks great. I've always wanted to drive a real Z/28 Camaro with the high revving 302.

I think in the long run when starting with a numbers matching car, this is a reasonable approach for maximum enjoyment, mixed with originality, and preservation.

Is this how you see it?

Anyone else with some opinions one way or the other, please feel free to jump in. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Take care, and thanks for posting,

Ty

============================
Rogue:

It's nice to hear from you, how are you getting along these days? How is your new pup doing? Have you posted any more "Golden Coffin" pictures, or video lately?

I know early on in this project you may not have liked the ideas for this car.

"I wouldn't mess up a 65 riviera trying to make it something its not. Its a gentleman's musclecar, leave it at that. AC and all the bells and whistles."

That said, (and I do appreciate your honesty) I've really tried hard to keep the, "Things are only Original Only Once" option intact, while being able to be somewhat creative, and still embrace the Pro-Touring goals of the build.

=======================================
Here were my original Goals:

I have an idea for doing a "Retro-Pro Touring" Car like you would see from maybe the late 1970's and 1980's before everything could be easily found to to have all the bells and whistles on it.

For instance, I have a 1965 Buick Riviera that is numbers matching and while it needs a paint job the interior and the body are in great shape.

I really want to have a Pro Touring Car with it, but I do not want to destroy the originality of it.
========================================

Does this solution come close to meeting these goals? By your or anyone else's answers, (It's ok to "bash my ride", if I fell short of my goals with this project)

I honestly do appreciate everyones opinions of my efforts. Kind of like a peer review from the other people who really enjoy PT cars. (I use the term "Peer" loosely, as I'm positive most people here have a ton more experience than I do)

FWIW: I love the car, and I think my Grandfather would have a blast with it. (Now that that is said)

So being straight with an opinions will not make me feel bad. I really wanted to see if I could pull this idea off, based on the parameters I set, and the opinions of the group.

Has this attempt succeeded, or Failed based on my stated goals?

Whatever is decided, please give a reason for your decision, if you wouldn't mind. This is a learning exercise for me.

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

BTW: Here is the Original Rendering against a finished product.