Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 16 to 29 of 29

Thread: Buick Riviera

  1. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    4,031
    Quote Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13 View Post
    The '63-'65 (and specifically; '65) Rivs are some of my favorite Detroit Iron of all time.
    Likewise and a great feature of the '65s is that 'switch the pitch' torque converter I mentioned previous.

    As its name suggests, this gizmo alters the pitch of the vanes in the converter when the throttle is depressed about 2/3rds (ie it is either a low or high-stall converter - in one!) and effectively gives you an extra 'half gear' in any gear - including reverse!

    I never had a tacho fitted but at a guess it seemed to be worth about 1,200 rpm - like a 'mini kickdown' if you will. You can have great fun by playing just-so with the throttle openings and SP engagement during an upshift, turning the nominally prompt & crisp THM 400 upshifts into this gigantic extended sluuuuurrrr - eg like the original extremely slow-shifting Hydramatics if you remember them.

    Among automatic transmissions in the 1960s era I've always been a big fan of the Chrysler 727 Torque Flite, prefering it over GM's Turbo Hydramatic 400 or Ford C6, but imho the Super Turbine is about the best there is. Sadly this XLNT trans was only built 1965 through 67.

    May as well throw in this photo of my Riv (taken not long before I sold it) if only to also share this great set of tits.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    Beautiful car there, nota.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    4,031
    Thank you old friend

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    For Tax Purposes, Cayman Islands
    Posts
    14,579
    I officially hate you, Nota.

    Hate...and envy.
    <cough> www.charginmahlazer.tumblr.com </cough>

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    └A & Connecticlump
    Posts
    5,367
    Rereading your original post, you mention that the '65 could be had with a 4-speed manual. Was this a benefit of the (factory?) RHD conversion? I am pretty sure all American Rivs only came with autos.
    "Kimi, can you improve on your [race] finish?"
    "No. My Finnish is fine; I am from Finland. Do you have any water?"

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    4,031
    Quote Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13 View Post
    Rereading your original post, you mention that the '65 could be had with a 4-speed manual. Was this a benefit of the (factory?) RHD conversion? I am pretty sure all American Rivs only came with autos.
    No, early Rivieras definitely were offered ex-factory in America with a 4-speed manual gearbox and I used to have original US magazine road-tests of same, plus heaps of articles etc - they all went with the car when I sold it.

    Some 1960s era Buicks were factory converted by Holden to RHD, but not the Riv which was exceedingly rare here when new. Mine was 'dealer' converted from new, albeit by a third-party specialist who did a superb 'mirror' conversion, the brake master cyl remained LHS.

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    └A & Connecticlump
    Posts
    5,367
    What does "ex-factory" mean?
    Also, do you remember which transmission was used?
    "Kimi, can you improve on your [race] finish?"
    "No. My Finnish is fine; I am from Finland. Do you have any water?"

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    4,031
    Ex-factory = as it was from the factory, as in 'out the door'

    Warner T-10, as per this video
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMFeLvlzBwc&feature=related"]YouTube - Driving a 1964 4-speed Wildcat[/ame]

    Early Rivieras were luxury-personal but the performance aspect also came in for praise, and contemporary road tests questioned whether it was just a luxury car or could also be considered a 'muscle' car. At least one manual Riviera competed in Oz Touring Car races in the early to mid sixties (towards the rear-of-field) and iirc their may have been another. Btw at least one of the original road tests I had of the 4-speed also made mention of the clunky shifter. From vague memory the manual trans Riviera might have been a 1964-intro?

    I briefly owned a 1962 Electra 225 Riviera sedan (pillarless hardtop with additional, pivoting, rear-side window) in RHD, a rare thing and Buick's most expensive car that year.
    Last edited by nota; 09-18-2009 at 06:53 PM.

  9. #24
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    16
    I had 3 '65s Rivis so far. Never heard of a 4 Speed either, which doesn't mean there was no. Would be the greatest to have a black '65 GS with a 4 speed. Wow.

    The youtube is a Wildcat 4 Speed. Love the gear whine!. They made Wildcat 4 speeds up to '65. Now I have 2 '65 Wildcats. Coupe and Ragtop but sadly no 4 Speedos. They are very rare. Hope to find one someday.

  10. #25
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    91
    This is a great thread. Moreso by the great write-up by Nota, you sure know how to instil envy in a man!



    I am very much intrigued and captivated by US performance cars of the 60's and admittedly don't know a great deal about Rivieras - I've always considered them T-Bird rivals, but after an insight into the mechanical package (the visuals speak for themselves!), they sound like proper, upmarket muscle!

    Does anyone have any idea of what a concours '65 Riv would fetch these days on the market?

  11. #26
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    └A & Connecticlump
    Posts
    5,367
    Eight-and-a-half years on, I still haven't been able to find any evidence of a manually-shifted Riviera. Does anyone else share nota's recollection?
    "Kimi, can you improve on your [race] finish?"
    "No. My Finnish is fine; I am from Finland. Do you have any water?"

  12. #27
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Way Down South
    Posts
    2,734
    No... it's a figment of his imagination.
    Never own more cars than you can keep charged batteries in...

  13. #28
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Rozenburg, Holland
    Posts
    27,329
    Quote Originally Posted by csl177 View Post
    No... it's a figment of his imagination.
    welcome back....
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

  14. #29
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Californian by nature, living in Teggsas.
    Posts
    4,130
    I've noticed that Rivieras seem to attract the attention even of folks who aren't into classic cars, or big American iron.
    An it harm none, do as ye will

    Approximately 79% of statistics are made up.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Really useful performance listings...
    By Egg Nog in forum Technical forums
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: 04-18-2021, 05:13 PM
  2. Buick Lucerne 2005-2011
    By Matt in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 03-10-2010, 01:06 PM
  3. Buick Enclave Concept
    By Matt in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 08-31-2007, 09:56 PM
  4. Buick Blackhawk Concept 2001
    By Matt in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-09-2005, 08:16 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •