I met a guy who wants to sell this 70 Riviera. I don't want it but I told him that I could try getting him an honest value of it from some "real" experts (you folks). There is a very small amount of blistering under the vinyl top, the interior needs some upholstery work, the thing needs a tune-up and there's a thermoquad on it. It's a desert car, I didn't spot any real rot on it but I didn't take a magnet to it either. Other than that, it has AC, remote mirror, power windows, seat, tilt, AM/FM & 8 track, five nice rally wheels and good bumpers. So, what do you think I should tell him this thing is really worth? o No:
In my opinion, I'd say between $1500 - $2000. Possibly the higher value if it has a posi. I personally haven't found much demand for this model year Riv. The '70 seems to have a love/hate type of appeal to people. It would make an awesome parts car! Sorry if this is not the news he's looking to hearo No:
With the interior being what it is, I agree with Matt. Though with a solid body, I would go $2,500.00. I rarely see excellent examples fetch more than $6,000 on Ebay. They are kind of the ugly stepchild of the 2nd generation Rivs. Even though I own one, it wouldn't be my 1st choice.
Looks pretty solid, something my 70 wasn't bench seat column shift, not terribly desireable but not horrible interior is trashed but the seat frame and backs are A-body though the rails, foam, and covers aren't Its got the SF 455 which is the best of the 455's if you ask me short of stage 1 heads Posis are hard to find but they are out there No vinyl top, so less chance of rust i the quarters, no sweepspear (I like the sweepspear but thats me) so its cleaner looking What fender skirts does it have? Short or Long? check the rear window channel and spare tire well for rust as well as the hood tip. I'd give them $2000 for it if you could drive it after about $250 of investment in plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fluids, filters and maybe some rubber items. If nothing else its got the short tail TH400, a '70 455 and parts that you can sell to other '70 Riv owners, but since the body is in good shape I'd keep it together and fix it up. They are awesome open road cars and the suspensions are closely related to even current NASCAR setups.
Just going by the pics, other comments, and overall condition - I'd go 1.5 to 2K for this '70 Riviera. It's a project car, but that desert body should mean a lot less work to get a 455 powered good example of the 'ugly stepchild' of second generation Rivieras. . . . per Dale's description. :beer :TU:
To me,it would be a 1000-1500. car. Everything needs to be done as far as appearance goes. Bodyshop work is not cheap! A decent paint job is going to be 3K minimum. $1500. for the inside minimum. Vinyl roof-400 to 600. Not to mention-tires,brakes,exhaust,a/c and all the other BS. These are cool looking cars,though. I like this year because it is a one year only style and the only year for skirts. I prefer the full skirts,sweepspear trim,and vinyl roof on this year.Looks like a low rider custom that way. But what's this car worth when done? You will have 8 to 10 grand in it when you're done. Better off finding a '65 GS project.
I sure can't disagree with what's been said-and other than the '65 GS, Rivs generally don't seem to have very high values...
Robert,Old Cars Price Guide shows it from at 720.00 for a#6 car all the way to 18,000 for a #1. This is probley a#5 which is shown at 2160 which is pretty much right in line with all the previous posts. These cars are a one year only and parts are hard to find. Hope this helps you out. Tom
As usual, you guys are right on the mark. :TU: I tried to tell him that it was only worth maybe about 2600 tops but he didn't want to hear that. :spank:
It's sad but true. I figure the big cars are next in line for increasing in value. Since most mid-size cars from this era are quickly becoming out of reach for the average enthusiast. That's my hopeful opinion anyways.
It's gonna be hard to find someone who would buy it for that price with that kind of interior damage.
The short skirts bolt on and basically do little more than cover the flange that holds the skirts in place and make a wheel lip. The full or long skirts are complete and cover half of the wheel opening and atach with a set up pivots and a tanged catch mechanism that holds it in place. Personal opinion on the short skirts and they are a bit more rare since they didn't come on as many cars in the first place and they rust out more easily. Personally I like the full skirts.
I love 90% of the 70 Riviera. The proportions are elegant, the roofline is slick and the rear treatment is tasteful and flows well. But, that front end looks like a GS with an oversized grill. The bumper looks bigger over the grill than under it. I've played with this front end in photoshop and haven't found anything that works. The best I've found is widening an earlier hidden headlight bumpers. It would be better to just get an earlier riv. So a challenge to the photo shop pro's out there. What can be done to give this one a face lift? John
Bill Mitchell was going for a style with a French flair to it with the '70. Reminiscent of the Delage and Delahaye cars of the 1930's. I've always thought of retrofitting '66 - '67 hideaway headlights onto a '70. (They are electric not vacuum operated :error: ) And covering the existing head light areras with a continuation of the grille. You are right about the front looking like a '68 - '69 A-Body. Especially at night coming down the road. Myself, I am really torn wether to put that side sweepspear trim back on or not. I like it with and without. I like both kinds of skirts too.
I've owned 2 68 Rivs, a 69, a 70... I've always had a problem with the noses of these cars. I think I may swap a '70 nose onto our current '68 project and that might strike the balance I'm seeking. I don't like the heavy quarters of the '70, nor do I like the narrow headlights on the '68 -'69. But the rest of the car is Perfect! Anyone got any '70 sheetmetal for sale? :Brow: - Kevin
I've day dreamed the exact opposite! I just got mine all back into 1 piece in the last week. I don't think I'm up to it. :idea2:
