Diamond in the rough...

[Hawaii69]

Okay,
I am no expert, but I found a 1965 Buick Riviera today. The body is rotted beyond repair! (I hate to see classics left to rot!) There is every imaginable option on this car. It has power everything. It appears to have 10K miles on the odo, which is more than likely 110K. It has been sitting for 2 yrs and can probably be had for $500.00
I am not restoring a Riviera, but I almost hate to pass this up. It is all #'s matching and the motor and tranny run fine. I would guess that everything on this car is reusable.
If there is anyone out there that is into Riv's and could shed some light on the engine size, trans etc...that came in this from the factory. The only reason I don't know this info, is that I never asked. I'll find out more, but any feedback would help.
I may just buy her to buy her.
BTW-would the interior & engine/trans fit my 69 Sky GS?
Thanks!

[Chris Lott]

A 65 Riv will have a nailhead 401 in it (or maybe a 425, but if I remember correctly you couldn't get one in a riv in '65). The tranny would be a superturbine 300. I doubt anything will be usuable on your GS, they are two COMPLETELY different cars. If the Riv isn't driveable, or is past the point of return, you could always part it and help out those guys who do need 65 parts. Or, you could find another 65 that is solid but needs repair work and option it out. Those rivs aren't too hard to find though, you can find them for 3k or so drivable pretty easily.

Sounds like a neat car, but unless you have another Riv to use the parts on, it isn't going to be much use to you. That's just my $.02.

[Hawaii69]

Thanks for your input. I agree that if I had another to make one good out of two, I would be in a better situatuation. Maybe something will pop up somewhere in my searches, but I am concentrating on my 69 GS350 resto. I haven't gotten started on that, and I have alot of work ahead of me.
Thanks again!

[Yardley]

By 1965 the standard engine in the Riviera was the 425. The 401 was available, but not as common. The 425 dual quad was available from the factory as well. Serious ride there. 360HP rating.