1964 Buick Riviera - No Reserve on 2040-cars

1964 Buick Riviera – Excellent Restoration Candidate

1964 Buick Riviera.  Car is currently running and driving.   Very straight body and solid underbody.  Some rust in the usual spots.  Most electrical accessories are working.  Complete trim.  Engine has issues and is not running well.   See notes concerning rebuild.

 Vehicle Info:

            -VIN:  7K1230085

            -Mileage:  175,200

           -Title:  Clear Minnesota Title

Vehicle Specifications:

            -Engine:  401 V8 – New Block, rebuilt 2004 (See notes concerning rebuild)

            -Edlebrock 600cfm carb

            -Dual Exhaust – Pipes are rusty but no leaks

            -Transmission:  “Super Turbine” 3-speed automatic.  Rebuilt 2004, less than 500 miles since rebuild.  Driving and shifting well.

Vehicle History

            -I purchased the car from nephew of the original owner in 1991 in San Diego, CA as an original black-plate California car with about 75,000 original miles.   (I still have the original CA Black Plate)  It was my daily driver in San Diego 1991-1999 making trips to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New Mexico.  It was a reliable and fun car that was dead-reliable with normal servicing.  The Navy then transferred me to Jacksonville, FL and then on to Brunswick, ME in 1999.  I drove the car cross-country to Florida and then up to Maine.  While in Maine, the car was garaged in the winters and driven regularly in the warmer months.  In 2002, the Navy transferred me back to San Diego.  I drove the car back to San Diego by way of Jacksonville, FL and it was once again my daily driver up into 2003.  I had put nearly 100,000 miles on the car over 12 years and it was due for rebuild to the drive train.  As I prepared to retire from the Navy in 2004, I turned the car in for a rebuild of the engine and transmission to a local shop.  It was then shipped to my new home in Minnesota.  Since that time it as been garaged and driven periodically. 

Drivetrain Rebuild

            -In 2004, I had the engine overhauled by a local shop in San Diego, CA that a friend had recommended.  There were difficulties in locating the necessary parts and a new block was required due to a crack.  It was at the rebuild shop for 3-4 months.  The transmission was also rebuilt by a local shop in La Mesa, CA.  The rebuild cost over 3000 for the engine and 2000 for the transmission. I had to leave San Diego to start a new job prior the rebuild completion.  The car was shipped to me in Minnesota.  When it arrived, I started it up and discovered something was very wrong.  It was running on perhaps 6 cylinders and really rough.  I tried to contact the rebuild shop but they had closed their doors.  I tried for months to find someone there but it was a lost cause.  I worked on the car and had it looked at by a local shop.  We tried everything from the distributor and cam timing and never got to the bottom of the issue.  The engine starts and runs well enough to drive the car.  Mostly, it’s been garaged and only driven around town sporadically.  Some issues have come up on the car that will need attention.

Known Mechanical Issues:

            -Engine is running rough due to some internal issue.  Will likely need a tear-down.

            -Power Steering Box is leaking (steering works smoothly but drips fluid)

            -Power Brake Booster needs replacement (brakes still working at all 4 wheels but you must stand on them pretty hard.)

            -Heater core is leaking, system bypassed.

            -Heater/AC ducting box is out (I still have the parts but some plastic is cracked.  Control cables still there.  All A/C parts are there.  System status is unknown.

Exterior Notes

            -Body is solid with straight panels and minimal rust

            -Frame and suspension components show minimal surface rust

            -1999 re-paint is faded and there is some surface rust.  Some peeling on the hood and passenger door.

            -Chrome bumpers and trim show some pitting but are solid

            -Wheel wells are solid at all four corners

            -Gas tank is solid with no leaks

            -Trunk floor is solid, very little surface rust on either side

            -Passenger compartment floor is very solid with very little surface rust on either side.

            -Trunk cardboard liner material is intact and in good shape

            -Brake lights, turn signals and headlights all working

            -Car is garaged in an enclosed storage facility.  Never exposed to Minnesota snow or road salt.

Interior Notes

            -All power windows currently working

            -Power Seat motor is turning but seat isn’t moving

            -Interior Lights still work

            -Mechanical Oil Pressure and Coolant Temp gauges by AutoMeter.

            -AM Radio and speakers still working.

            -Remote Trunk Release still working.

            -Clock working intermittently

            -Some interior chrome and most brushed stainless trim still looks pretty good.  Pitting on chrome light surrounds and rear-view mirror.

1999 Paint/Interior:

            -While I was deployed overseas in 1998-1999, my now ex-wife turned the car over to a shop in Tijuana, Mexico for a “birthday surprise.”  The car was painted and the interior was redone with carpet, headliner and the seats were refaced.  The carpet and seat faces have faded over time due to poor quality materials.  The headliner and sun visors still look good.  The paint job wasn’t great but I learned to live with it with hopes of a better restoration down the road.     

Extra Parts Included with sale:

            -Nice replacement hood trim and “R” ornament

            -Original Air Filter housing

            -Original Jack and spare tire cover

            -Extra Dash Clock

            -Chilton Service Manual

            -California Black Plate

Sale Details:

-Upon successful winning of the Ebay auction, the Buyer shall deposit $1000 to Seller’s PayPal account within 72 hours of auction end.  Contact the Seller with any questions.

-Final payment due within 7 days.  Cash, bank draft or electronic bank transfer is acceptable.  No personal checks. 

-Buyer shall be responsible for arranging shipping or local pick-up.  Contact the Seller with any questions related to delivery.