Riviera kit ID

[rattle can man]

I was looking through some of my restore it someday kits and came across a slight mystery. From an auction some years ago I bought a lot of old AMT kits Included were boxes for both '63 and '64 Riviera kits. Instructions for both are there the layout of the instructions is a bit different, but the text and drawings are the same. There are only enough parts for one kit. Was there a difference in the bodies? The reason I ask is the body was cut apart and the sides shortened, so I need to source a new body.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I'm no Riviera expert, but there does appear to be subtle differences between the '63 and '64.

There could quite possibly be interior differences that I'm not aware of, but as far as the body goes, there appears to be no differences in the front end or profile appearance that I can tell.

The only details that I can see are in the rear of the car.

The '63 has BUICK in block letters on the center of the trunk lid, as well as a Buick "tri-shield" emblem in the center of the tail light lens.

For '64, the Buick lettering was replaced with a small "Riviera" script on the passengers side corner of the trunk lid, and the Buick shield in the tail light lens was replaced with the Riviera "R".

 

1963.

 

 

1964.

 

 

 

1963.

 

 

 

 

1964.

 

 

 

 

Steve

 

 

Edited September 18, 2024 by StevenGuthmiller

[rattle can man]

That is where I am stuck. The rear panels are not there. The body was hacked up. The top of the body aft of the hood is missing (but I do have two complete roofs) all the way to the rear bumper. The sides have been shortened a good inch or so. In effect, all I have of the body is front fenders, hood, under-hood areal, two rooves, and modified rear quarter panel/ door units.

[peteski]

So what is your goal?  Are you trying to build something out of all those pieces, or just curious?

[Mark]

With what you have, the "easiest" thing to do would be to get one of the reissue '65 Riviera kits and start with that body.  The back end below the trunk lid is all different; unfortunately you don't have that section to piece into the '65 body.

[rattle can man]

A bit curious, but I would like to find another body. The kit is complete except for the body.  If there is no difference in the shell between the two years, it might increase my odds of finding a donor/ incomplete kit

[Can-Con]

2 minutes ago, Mark said:

With what you have, the "easiest" thing to do would be to get one of the reissue '65 Riviera kits and start with that body.  The back end below the trunk lid is all different; unfortunately you don't have that section to piece into the '65 body.

The front fenders where the chrome meets up is slightly different too. I learned this after a similar suggestion to someone who knew more about these Riviera kits informed me of this. Has something to do with where the parking light/headlight doors meet the ends of the fenders at the top not matching up.

[Mark]

Altering the front fenders would be a piece of cake compared to the work needed to put a '63 or '64 rear bumper on a '65.

[Can-Con]

19 minutes ago, Mark said:

Altering the front fenders would be a piece of cake compared to the work needed to put a '63 or '64 rear bumper on a '65.

agreed?

[rattle can man]

Thank you all for the information. I will just keep looking for either body.  Both instructions and boxes appear to show the same parts and part numbers, so I will go out on a limb and search for either body. It doesn't have to be 100% accurate for me, just look the part. many real cars have mix and match parts later in their life (either accident repairs or customizing)

[StevenGuthmiller]

 

This ‘63 body is available on eBay right now.

$40.00 plus shipping.

Too high if you ask me, but you could certainly contact him to see if he’ll bargain.

 

 

 

Steve

 

[Mark]

'63 and '64 bodies are on the tough side to find, at least clean ones.  It seems that many of them were assembled by kids who had to use every part that came in the box, as well as the entire tube of cement.

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, Mark said:

'63 and '64 bodies are on the tough side to find, at least clean ones.  It seems that many of them were assembled by kids who had to use every part that came in the box, as well as the entire tube of cement.

There are a couple of built ups available on eBay right now in the $50.00 range.

not too terrible for a pretty clean rebuilder.

 

 

 

Steve