I bought a 20,000 mile black over red GS Riv last night at the RM auction in Detroit. The car is exceptional, highly original and drives and looks like new. The owner claimed that the edelbrock cast aluminum finned valve covers came on the car. Since he was incorrect about a few other items, I think he may be mistaken about this. Anyone know about these. Thanks :TU:
Sounds like it may not be original. In my opinion it's not. Buick did a few odd things, and I'm not an expert by any means, but this does seem unlikely. If you post a few pics of the car, we could get a better look so to speak, and anyway, I'd like to see your 'new' car :TU:
Yes! Pictures please! Sounds like a great find! :TU: It is a safe bet those valve covers were added later.
Chris, I will post some pics if I can figure out how to do it, do I need to set the camera at the smallest and lowest resolution? The car was owned by a GM exec from Buffalo NY. I think he worked at Tonawanda engine. I will look for a build sheet later today (under rear seat?) The car is a real time capsule, now has new belts,hoses, brakes, water pump, shocks, and tires. All else is near perfect and working perfectly. This car was a nice find and I really like the colors, the spare has never seen the ground and the jack looks to have never been touched. I wonder if a GM Exec could have gotten these covers put on. The cast lip has 1969 buick stamped in it.
[c l o s e w i n d o w] [p r i n t] 1969 Buick Riviera Gran Sport 2D LOT 144 AUCTION DAY: FRIDAY 430 4 barrel motor, 360 hp, 475 ft pounds of torque, 10.25 to 1 compression, posi, dual exhaust, 2 owner car, 20,000 actual miles. New Goodyear tires, gas shocks, brakes, tail pipes, water pump, belts, carb rebuilt, factory Edelbrock valve covers.
I'm sure if he was high enough in the food chain of the company, he could order it anyway he wanted. Makes you wonder what else is special? :Brow:
I suppose so? If I find a build sheet, maybe it will tell somthing, but it is more likely he had what he wanted put on the car. There are full pictures at rmauctions.com . Here is another.
Dale, Thanks! Any suggestions on where to locate the build sheet on a 69 rivi? It is not on the underside on the rear seat bottom between springs and jute. ????? o No:
That's a real beauty. If the line guys knew it's for an exec you probably have the wrong build sheet in there. (Just kidding.... not) What does the body tag read (on the cowl). Is it an SCO? I think a few of us would like to know the numbers on this one if you don't mind sharing the info. If there was ever such a thing as a factory 430 stage 1, this exec car may be it. Looks like the guy wanted speed. I really like the color scheme too.
Congrats on your new ride - it sounds like and looks to be FANTASTIC !!! As to the Valve covers.....I've done quite a bit of research into these. They were sold in 1969 (possibly earlier in '68 and later in the 70's) through the Buick Dealership parts department - over the counter - either by themselves or as a package with the B4B Intake Manifold. Edelbrock also sold them themselves and through their distribution network of the time. All of the valve covers I've seen are cast with "1969 Buick" on the inside. The reason I researched them is because my GS was wearing both the Edelbrock B4B intake and the Aluminum Valve covers when I bought it from the second owner. I contacted the original owner and he told me: "I had the car back to the Dealership about a month after I took delivery to have a slight tranny problem worked on. While there in the Service dept, I saw the intake and valve covers on display and asked about them. I was told the intake makes more power and is lighter....and the valve covers looked great so I bought them and had them installed at the dealership while it was in there for the tranny repair." Years ago I contacted Edelbrock to verify this but they could not provide me with any information. My interest was two-fold - I wanted to know the history of what was on my car but I also was looking for verification that they were dealer-installed because at the GSCA Nats you are only allowed 3 modifications (I had more than 3 with these included) and if these were dealer-installed they might not count as modifications. As to their value - a NOS set sold on Ebay recently for over $400 If I remember correctly. I've seen used sets go for between $200 - $350. They are pretty rare and somewhat desireable....but I'm pretty sure they were never offered as "Factory Installed". Here's a picture of the valve covers (and the B4B) on my motor. I had the Valve covers professionally polished.....
Check out this thread where I posted Buick Literature documenting both 430 Stage1 and 430 Stage2 Parts #'s - I think they were only Dealer or Service Department parts http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28146
Thanks, all of you, your help is much appreciated. Here is some info I have pulled from the body tag and engine. Does anyone know where I should look for a build sheet? ST 69 49487 EUC173738 BDY TR 687 10 B PNT 02B Vin# 494879H929684 Engine Drivers front 9H929684 Rear RD 8 85 Any decode help would be appreciated. Thanks again! :TU:
I've never found the one for my '70. Yet that is, because they can turn up in the strangest places. Anywhere they felt. I did find the Fisher Body build sheet tucked up on top of the glove box. Kinda interesting, it had a hand written note from an inspector on it about missing trim. ou:
Thanks, I had just found them. I didn't realize you had just bought it, like yesterday? Do you know if the car came from WA (first owner maybe?)? I remember seeing a low mileage dark colored Rivy at the Buick Open last June for sale.
69 Riv GS Hey Wolverine I was at the show last night and saw the car you bought....very sweet ride !Here are a couple of pics from the show.Your car and the 65 GS were out standing examples of Buick class. I am going to post some of the other Buicks that were there in another thread. Congrats...hope to see you and the new ride at some of the local shows :beer
