'65 Buick Riviera Custom

[Tim W. SoCal]

   I can't believe I started this build almost FIVE years ago!... You see, I used to work in the Hot Rod Shop where the original '66 Riviera Chopped Custom was built and I fell in love with it. The car won several shows and was featured on Jay Leno's Garage. Click on the link to see the episode...  https://hotrodscustomstuff.com/archives/2966. I wanted to depict this car, but the AMT '65 Riviera was the only model available at a decent price, so, a '65 Riviera it was! Although the 1:1 car has a chopped top, I was not about to attempt that, ergo a full height roof it is... Anyway, at the end of 2020, my wife and I moved into a new (to us) house and my model projects were packed up for the move. I am still working on a model car hobby area, so, other than working on my patio, (which, as much as I enjoy my patio, tends to suck) model car building opportunities have been few and far between. Thanks to this Forum and most of its participants, I have been motivated and driven to get my butt in gear and start building again! I just went out to my garage and cut the packing tape on the box containing this kit. Here is a pic of my progress with this build so far... With this build, I made my first attempt at resin casting, which is a Moon Finned Aluminum Dual Quad Air Cleaner. My resin cast is based upon a modified Revell '64 Fairlane Thunderbolt air cleaner. I am proud of the results. Also, this is one of the kits where the front axle goes through the engine. I HATE THAT!!! The void in the engine block has been filled and the front wheels will be attached to the front suspension with screws. I have made some mistakes, though. I got all anxious and happy and in a hurry to do the carpet flocking and did that before I painted the seats... BIG MISTAKE!... Also, my 63 year old hands weren't as steady with a paint brush as my 23 year old hands were, so the color separations in the seat upholstery aren't straight. With the aid of videos from members of this forum, I will learn to do my own wood grain painting and add that detail to the interior. To sum up, I need to tape off the panels and finish the custom paint, finish the interior and chassis and get this build completed. With the impending re-release of the AMT '66 Buick Riviera, this model car is going to have a younger twin sister. Furthermore, I have committed to two kit builds, neither one out of the box, in our '32 Ford Tudor Sedan build off. Thank you all for inspiring me to actually start building again instead of just buying kits and making plans.

[Tim W. SoCal]

Just a quick mockup...

[NOBLNG]

Nice start on this one Tim. I like the color. I have one of these, but haven’t started it. Debating whether to look for a donor chassis or not? Carry on.?

[Falcon Ranchero]

Can’t wait to see this one finished! First gen Rivs are pretty sharp looking cars, literally and figuratively.

[slusher]

Real nice work so far!   

[LennyB]

Love the subject matter.  Built one years ago don’t know what ever happened to it.   

[David G.]

That looks like a good start on a fine build.

David G.

[bobss396]

15 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Nice start on this one Tim. I like the color. I have one of these, but haven’t started it. Debating whether to look for a donor chassis or not? Carry on.?

I would look at the '66 Riviera chassis, it has a lot of detail over the OG '65 one. The '63-65 Riv is one of the best looking cars of all time. They rode very well too. I have a '65 kit, I may do it box stock-ish just to get it done. Maybe de-chrome the body and foil what I have to.

[TNT]

Cool looking start. Way back when i was a plumber i did work for a family that customized rivieras. They taught others how to chop the top. Had a few in magazines. 

[thebavarian]

Very nice work till yet