65 Riviera at East Bay Muscle Cars
 

We are begining a build on a different kind of the usual "pro touring" car that I'm really excited about. This is probably one of the cleanest cars weve ever had, in fact the odometer says 30k miles and that seems much more realistic than 130k! The pedal pads are not worn and the interior is close to perfect. The goal is to not lose the unique style of this particular model, just enhance and modernize it. Some of the highlights are:

-480 hp LS3 w/Fast throttlebody -will be reconfigured to pay tribute to the original nailhead with custom coil covers and stock style air cleaner.

- 4L70e transmission

-RS fast track front crossmember clip

-EBMC modified original x frame

_EBMC modified 3 link rear suspension

-20" Billet Buick tribute wheels by Rushforth

-Gen 4 Vintage Air adaped to work with factory controls

Since this car has such unique features about it, the exterior and interior will remain completely stock with emphasis on comfort and driveability.

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...C65_final1.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/023.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/025.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/034.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/037.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/041.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/044.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/046.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/039.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/004.jpg

love it killer car:yes: :yes:

this one's going to be sweet Steve, look forward to more updates.

This is one to watch..

glad to hear the int. is staying stock, i really like the way it looks right now!

Awesome body style, I love the rendering.

the amazing thing about that car is all the hard to find parts are there. This should be a killer build for you guys.


Let me know if you "toss out" that rear key hole shield or any interior parts. I'll camp out by your dumpster. LOL

I cannot wait to watch this build progress!

I want that car!

This is much like what I want to do with my 31k mile '64 Riviera. :hail: :cool: I think I want air ride, though.

Please keep this thread updated with the progress.

Randy

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!:)

Steve,
Great build! Do you happen to have any additional pictures of the RS universal front crossmember install? Did you cut the factory frame rails completely out or were they the basic correct width especially outside to outside for tire clearance lock to lock?

Thanks-Wes

Havent posted anything for a while so I thought I'd share our "LS to nailhead conversion"

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...placement3.jpg


http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...placement4.jpg

utilizing clutch fan and factory radiator and shroud. I know its the wrong fan...strictly for clearance checking!

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...placement2.jpg


http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...f766c9cc_c.jpg


http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/026.jpg



http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/020.jpg


480 hp will require a little more airflow than the stock aircleaner snorkel will provide so we put this "window" in.

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/016-3.jpg


spark plug wires will drape over valvecovers like stock.....
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iviera/013.jpg



http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/014-2.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps34cc794f.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/014-3.jpg

I love the nailhead tribute and I'm a huge fan of the Riviera, design. Can't wait to see more!

WOW! that looks great! i had a nailhead in my 66 wildcat back in the day and loved it!great tribute.

haaa thats great looking.

Great idea the 'go anywhere' goal. People should see these rolling works of actually on the move. :)

I also really like the lengths you and the owner are going to give it a close to stock appearance. As you know on a car like this 'less is more'. :cool:

Now that is very cool!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Nice work.

This is going to be a really cool ride once it's completed!!!!

Very cool & innovative!:thumbsup:

I like the way you dressed it up as a nailhead. I hope to own a Riv one of these days.

While the Riv is off getting painted, heres some pics of rear suspension....

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ra/017-1-1.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/010-1.jpg

Billet Vintiques wheels (18x8 shown) 18x10 for rear....

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...iera/021-1.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ra/025-1-1.jpg

I think it will be quite the sleeper!

Those wheels are perfect, looks much better than the 20's in the rendering. What size tires are on it?

Also, what happened to the nailhead? I might be interested in some of the old stuff since I have a 65 Skylark GS.

Thanks.

Thanks, when the rendering was done, we weren't sure exactly how stock appearing we were going to go with this but, yes I think the 18's are a perfect fit on this car. Tire sizes are 275 45 18 and 245 50 18 and should give a very comfortable ride.

Original engine and trans are gone already

Looking good...very cool. :thumbsup:

Excellent build. I love what you're doing with the valve cover covers. I bought my 65 Rivi' from one good friend and sold it to another good friend. That way I can buy it back some day. :)

Keep up the good work. 63-65 Rivieras are great drivers, but I'm sure your build will go down the road even better. :thumbsup:

I love the style..These are a great visual car, the changes are perfect

The car is still at bodywork, so nothing to show there, unfortunately, but we are tidying up some details on the motor and I plan on having pics to share later today.
Tim

For Riv fans, here is one of the best in the world.


http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...zz/CARS-05.jpg

Loads of great pics and info here.

http://www.mcsmk8.com/65-RIV/65-RIV.html

While were waiting for the Riv to get back from paint we got some details on the motor done....

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps52121434.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbf559b33.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8fd0a5bf.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5cef6e0a.jpg