Survivor or Restored?

[tyoneal]

To All:

As previously mentioned, I have a stock 1965 Buick Riviera in pretty decent shape. For a unmodified 43 year old car, it's really in nice shape.

It needs a chrome piece and a small amount of body work that my Grandfather inadvertently messed up putting it in the garage.

Other than that it has 43 years of door dings. Interior is perfect and car runs like a bat out of Hades.

With a small amount of body work and some touch up paint, I think it would be a pretty nice survivor car.

That being said, is a good Survivor, better/more valuable/etc. than a restored, "frame on", or, "frame off", car?

What can be done to a car before it ceases to be a survivor and becomes a restored car?

The car is Black on Black.

I have ALL Documentation on the car. (I think, if I don't I'd be shocked as he always kept that sort of thing.)

Thoughts, Opinions, Data?

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

BTW: While going through all the Riviera Stuff, at my Mother's house, I found I do have a 2X4 intake, carbs, and air cleaner housing to go with it. My Grandfather evidently picked one up at some time. I'm sure he hadn't messed with it in at least 30 years, as I would have remembered it at the age of 15. I don't think it came on the car from the factory, (I don't remember it being listed on the original invoice. I will check again though) but was bought with or sometime near the purchase time of the car. I know when he got the car he told me he had the dealer put in a upgraded cam. From what I can tell it was bought between 1965 and probably 1970?

It does look like it has been on the car at some time. (used) Maybe he took it off during the, "Energy Crises", of the early 70's?

As I mentioned in an earlier post I do know he liked, "Lively", cars, and when asked about why he didn't get the GS model when they bought the car, he said he and my Grand Mother weren't crazy about the, "Gran Sport", I.D. markers, said they cheapened the look of the car.

Anyway, go figure I was a Tot at the time when they bought it (Three years old), so that is the best I can remember. A while back I was looking for a 2X4 set up, I'm glad I didn't fork out all the money for one now. The duel snorkel looks pretty cool.