70 Riviera conversion 10/4

[montelsc]

Attempting to convert this 69 riv to a 70 so far just scratched up a frt bumper and added headlights from a 76 torino

may attempt some bodywork later today

 

 

[montelsc]

Ok so far so good removed all badges and moldings , made up and installed skirts 

need to cover those vents under the rear window then back to work on the bumpers 

Edited October 5, 2018 by montelsc
fitted frt grill

[Oldcarfan27]

Cool, I like it.

I was thinking of attempting the same conversion. What did you use for the grille and bumper?

[montelsc]

Used the 69 frt bumper cut out the grill & removed the parking lights on the ends 

and added the torino headlight bezels

have a custom grill from I don't know what that im going to cut up for the riv grill

may use a 66 riv rear bumper and just modify the taillights don't know why the 70 was never kited 

[Can-Con]

19 minutes ago, montelsc said:

Used the 69 frt bumper cut out the grill & removed the parking lights on the ends 

and added the torino headlight bezels

have a custom grill from I don't know what that im going to cut up for the riv grill

may use a 66 riv rear bumper and just modify the taillights don't know why the 70 was never kited 

I think the '70 wasn't kitted because all the sheetmetal from the doors back is completely different than the '66 to '69 cars, not just the wheel openings. Plus a new, larger rear window.

It would have been a major retool to the body for a 1-year only design. 

Edited October 4, 2018 by Can-Con

[Oldcarfan27]

6 hours ago, Can-Con said:

It would have been a major retool to the body for a 1-year only design. 

When it came to annuals, that never stopped them before. If Buick wanted a promo, AMT would have obliged. Hence we would have had a 70 kit!

[montelsc]

Going with the 66 chassis has much more detail & poseable frt wheels

also using the 66 rear bumper need to modify the taillights and fill in the body corners both frt and rear

[El Caballo]

I'm looking forward to seeing this one done.

[MrObsessive]

Wow! Interesting conversion! While I like the '66-'69 Rivieras better, the '70 is interesting as it was sort of a one year deal. Lots of changes that made it stand out from the other years.

I'm definitely following along!

[montelsc]

Filled all 4 corners and vents at the trunk 

thanks for the comments I also love 66 - 69 rivs and the 70 will complete my collection of rivieras

I have 65,66,69and soon 70

 

[Bucky]

I like what I see, so far!! Keep up the great work! I always like the Rivieras, too, and the body styles differed greatly through the years.

My faves are the '65, '68-'69, '71-'73, and I even like the '95-'99.

I didn't know until doing this research that there was a '59 Riviera:

[Dave Darby]

On 10/5/2018 at 1:39 AM, Oldcarfan27 said:

When it came to annuals, that never stopped them before. If Buick wanted a promo, AMT would have obliged. Hence we would have had a 70 kit!

Yep. And back in the 60s, almost everything was a one year only design.

[gotnitro?]

Nice conversion 

Always great feeling filling that gap in a collection 

[Can-Con]

Looking good so far. Filling in the front fender bumper area really makes the front start to come together. 

Intrested to see you do the rear window and sail panel area, Should be interesting.

I've owned a couple Rivs when I was younger but not a '70. [ a '69 and a '72]

[montelsc]

Great pic using it as reference going to start working on the rear bumper soon almost done with the frt 

im just removeing the rear vents but im not wideing the rear window rather use the rear glass that comes with it than haveto make up another 

im also not makeing that wide ugly molding on the side like the smooth look much better

Edited October 6, 2018 by montelsc

[Bucky]

That '70 almost has a tailfin! I never noticed that before.

[Bucky]

2 minutes ago, montelsc said:

Great pic using it as reference going to start working on the rear bumper soon almost done with the frt 

im just removeing the rear vents but im not wideing the rear window rather use the rear glass that comes with it than haveto make up another 

You might get away with just rounding the bottom corners of the window trim.

[montelsc]

Yes me too the tailfin is there the skirts change the whole appearance of the car

[montelsc]

2 minutes ago, Bucky said:

You might get away with just rounding the bottom corners of the window trim.

yes I see what you mean

[montelsc]

frt bumper & grill complete except for the buick badge in the center of the grill 

Need some buick decals from the 70 wildcat kit     Anyone have?????

 

[Rider]

Man there is a ton of work to make this happen. This is quite the challenge. I'm intrigued, good luck dude. 

[montelsc]

55 minutes ago, Rider said:

Man there is a ton of work to make this happen. This is quite the challenge. I'm intrigued, good luck dude. 

Didn't expect to get passed the frt bumper & grill this quick  Thanks

 

[montelsc]

finished body work on all 4 corners and rear window vents contoured rear window & skirts

coming together better than expected

 

Edited October 7, 2018 by montelsc

[Bucky]

Nice work!!!

[Superbird McMonte]

 I too had often thought of doing a conversion like this.  I was looking at the 70 Buick GS headlight bezels as a possible replacement. The 76 Torino’s seem to fit quite well too. Great work!