yes that is my handy work on the Photochop, however I've tried to make the bumpers on that black 65 black chrome and its beyond my skills. I can try to see if my friend that might be able to.
Thanks! hmmmm now I need a Rivi again! Damn! It's gotta be black with Rally's and a little rake! :bglasses: :beer
stock or custom? I like the look of your 71 Riviera, although I would rather see more tire and less rim diameter as well. You did a great job on the car, and I bet you get alot of comments on it. My personal tastes lean toward the older "hot-rod" approach to building cars, making them better through modifications to the mechanical side, and leaving the body basically as it came from the factory, except for paint and the usual lowering with a slight rake. Better engine performance, overdrive, posi rear, and better brakes are the way to go for me. 17" wheels with wide tires that fit into the wheelwells, cherry out the interior and go have some fun! Hopefully my 67 Riviera will look as good as your 71 someday!
The 71 riv in my first post was built by Shane Oralando in AZ. I actually got these pics off of collector car trader online a few yrs ago. It was featured in April 2002 Super Rod magazine. I had a 71 when I was about 18 in 1980 and this car inspired me to get another one. I was thinking about adding GS hood scoops to the 72 riv. I don't know how hard it would be since I am not very familiar with the makeup of the GS scoops. I also am hesitant to interupt the smooth lines of the beautifull stock hood. I am also considering adding 3 late model portholes to each side of the 72 Riv. I am also hesitant to add the portholes because I like a clean uninterupted look. I am still in the stage of the project where I don't have to decide yet. I am going to study up on photoshop and see if I can use this tool to help decide on some of these things. What do you guys think about the scoop and porthole idea?
Personally I love the split-grill idea. I always wondered how my 'Lark would look with a split grill like the early 2nd gen Camaro RS option had. I like cars lowered a bit, but not a lot. The pictures you linked to are lower than my taste, but I do think it looks good on that car. I think it's more about the combination than the specific mods. That said, I don't care much for wagon-wheels. Larger is okay, but I don't care much for 17" and larger. I think my main complaint with large wheels is how the tires look like rubber bands. I might like them with more sidewall. Just an opinion. But it's your car - do what you want. The only one that has to like it is you - so make it exactly what you want.
Personally, I have nothing against customizing a car. I currently have a Pioneer head unit, Infinity speakers and some Alpine amps that I'm throwing into my 71 Riv. I also have some really cool blue neon lights that I'm throwing into the trunk and perhaps under the seats. I don't know why... I just think they look awesome...lol. I'm also adding some chrome under the hood. Man, I need to get working on this car! The way I see it, I'm never selling it. It's a family heirloom, so it's going to stay that way. I might as well have some fun with it, and kudos to whatever anyone else does to personalize their Buick. Just don't over-do it!...haha.
Oh that Riv will be a hot rod for sure. I'm building the engine in my garage right now. Should get 650hp at the crank out of the Big Turbo6. Also included on the list for upgrades are 4-wheel discs, 8.5" 30-spline 10-bolt with a tru-trac, and probably a set of custom coilovers, adjustable tubular rear suspension links, and sway bars since they don't make much for these cars off the shelf suspension performance wise. The car has a Posi already but I'll be passing that on to others since I plan on doing all the rear suspension work and don't want to risk ruining one of the rare ones.
I believe that "custom" by definition is acomplished by the use of self expression;your car,your money,it's up to you.I really enjoy looking at cars to find what people do different,I really like the more subtle changes,the ones that you really have to look for.That doesn't mean that anything other than that is wrong,it just not for everyone.I do appreciate what the restorers and "curators" do for the hobby because I believe,that it all goes back to the original car.The car in the pictures that you linked is cool.I like the car but like others I think that the wheels are too big.You can always paint a spare bumper and then make up your mind,that was the look a few years back now is more like once in a while you see a car painted like that,think Car Craft's Heavy Metal,that was the heyday.I do like the painted bumper in that car pictured. I really liked the split bumper but by looking at the picture it seems like it's not finished,I believe that a piece of trim similar to the one on the upper half of the grill should be used on the bottom half to make some sort of enclosure for the grill.I don't know if that is possible since I'm not familiar with the Riviera's lines.Just some opinions,you asked :beer .
