FLHCAHZ Posted August 20 Author Posted August 20 I broke down and ordered a trunk pan for the Riviera. Hopefully get to the steel supply house on Friday to get the rest of the materials for the cross members and body mounts
FLHCAHZ Posted August 21 Author Posted August 21 While I'm waiting for parts. I decided to work on getting the wheels cleaned up. I was going to change them, but they are growing on me. I worked a few hours on the back wheels and got most of the pitting and rust off. 6
Falcon Ranchero Posted August 21 Posted August 21 Looking clean; I wouldn't change the wheels, they do look very nice. But I am a whitewalls/hubcaps kind of guy. The Riv looks great with the stock wheels. 1
Bainford Posted August 21 Posted August 21 Things are looking great. I love the natural patina of the original paint, and other bright surfaces, too. 1
pulln4dejr Posted August 30 Posted August 30 She’s a beauty! I remember reading an article wayyy back in the day about how it got the worst gas mileage in ‘69, it was like 9 mpg. Keep us posted! 1
Can-Con Posted August 30 Posted August 30 11 hours ago, pulln4dejr said: She’s a beauty! I remember reading an article wayyy back in the day about how it got the worst gas mileage in ‘69, it was like 9 mpg. Keep us posted! I used to own a '69, that sounds about right. 😉 1
mikemodeler Posted August 30 Posted August 30 The wheels look great, save the money from a new set and put it towards the interior. As far as the paint goes, you can try using a DA polisher (cheap ones at Harbor Freight) to polish up the paint some more, you will be amazed at the difference a little machine polishing does. The best part of the DA polisher is that it doesn't leave swirl marks so you can use it to polish the paint as well as buff the wax off. 1
FLHCAHZ Posted September 2 Author Posted September 2 Time for some mild updates! I dropped the fuel tank off at the shop, and dug into the trunk mess: After working with various tools for a couple hours. I gave up on getting all the roofing material off and went underneath. I quickly became obvious that this car sits very low, and I really don't wants to trust jack stands extended as far as I would need. In addition, I want the weight on the wheels. This will help me keep everything in its natural state when I start the fabrication for the new trunk supports and body mounts. I did some research and built cribbing: I was unsure about the cribbing at first (and so was my Wife!), but after getting the car on the cribbing it is as sloid as can be. The cribbing did not make any sounds when I lowered the car onto them. I've opened and closed the doors, trunk, and deck lid - the cribbing is solid! I will still leave a jack at each end while I am underneath the car, but this this give me much more room to work. And the dogs approve. 8
Kenmojr Posted September 5 Posted September 5 Love this Riviera.. Gonna be cool when you finish with your TLC. 1
Jim Dodson Posted September 6 Posted September 6 Chaz, the obvious display of workmanship seen in your cribbing construction bodes well for your results with the actual car project. Looking good! Thanks for sharing! Jim D. 1
Daverde Posted September 11 Posted September 11 Nice looking ride !! Love these cars!! Especially the GS with bucket seats and console ! Neat shifter in these console cars. 1
FLHCAHZ Posted September 16 Author Posted September 16 Slow but steady progress on the Riviera project car. Nothing worth noting with pictures though. I am working on getting the rest of the interior stripped, waiting on the assembly manual to de delivered. I want to be very careful with the center console/ shifter. I don't want to break anything (can't just pull another one off the sprue!) I can get into cutting and welding again (wife was away, we live in a rural area. She said she didn't want to come home and find me bled out on the shop floor.....sheesh) 1
JollySipper Posted September 16 Posted September 16 (edited) Please, Please! Don't do like I see a lot of folks do and strip the car completely and then give up on it. They get in too far over their head! There's a bunch of 'projects' for sale online that the owners did just that........ You know what you're doing though, so I have faith! Edited September 16 by JollySipper 1
FLHCAHZ Posted September 17 Author Posted September 17 13 hours ago, JollySipper said: Please, Please! Don't do like I see a lot of folks do and strip the car completely and then give up on it. They get in too far over their head! There's a bunch of 'projects' for sale online that the owners did just that........ You know what you're doing though, so I have faith! No worries about that! I am way too excited about this car. The Riviera nationals are in Gettysburg Pa July of 2026. My wife and I are looking forward to making the short trip from the Pittsburgh area. 2
Brizio Posted September 17 Posted September 17 I always loved the body linees of this car. And see one stock is a plus. congrats! 1
FLHCAHZ Posted Thursday at 11:54 AM Author Posted Thursday at 11:54 AM Whilst coming up with a plan for more sheet metal work, I decided to remove the bumperettes and try the new swap-meet air cleaner on for a visual Big change in the looks of the front end with the bumperettes removed!
bamadon Posted Thursday at 03:31 PM Posted Thursday at 03:31 PM Front end looks much cleaner without the bumperettes 1
espo Posted Thursday at 05:29 PM Posted Thursday at 05:29 PM You're not going to bump into anything anyway. If you can get by without a front license plate that would also keep the cleaner front-end look. 1
Falcon Ranchero Posted Thursday at 08:09 PM Posted Thursday at 08:09 PM (edited) I second the no front plate thing. Here in Ontario a front plate is required, but on our '69 LeMans a front plate would totally crowd the front look of the car, plus we don't have the bracket to attach the plate to the bumper anyway. We just keep it on the front dash so it's visible from the windshield. If the cops pull you over for no front plate on the bumper, then they literally have nothing better to do. Edited Thursday at 08:11 PM by Falcon Ranchero 3
FLHCAHZ Posted Friday at 11:35 AM Author Posted Friday at 11:35 AM Thankfully there is no front license plate requirement in Pennsylvania 1
FLHCAHZ Posted Friday at 11:36 AM Author Posted Friday at 11:36 AM 15 hours ago, Falcon Ranchero said: I second the no front plate thing. Here in Ontario a front plate is required, but on our '69 LeMans a front plate would totally crowd the front look of the car, plus we don't have the bracket to attach the plate to the bumper anyway. We just keep it on the front dash so it's visible from the windshield. If the cops pull you over for no front plate on the bumper, then they literally have nothing better to do. Nice LeMans! 1
espo Posted Friday at 04:40 PM Posted Friday at 04:40 PM 20 hours ago, Falcon Ranchero said: I second the no front plate thing. Here in Ontario a front plate is required, but on our '69 LeMans a front plate would totally crowd the front look of the car, plus we don't have the bracket to attach the plate to the bumper anyway. We just keep it on the front dash so it's visible from the windshield. If the cops pull you over for no front plate on the bumper, then they literally have nothing better to do. One of the many advantages of living in the state of Kansas is that front plates are not required and you pay extra if you do want an additional plate for the front. Never understood why it was even needed and there is an expense for the state in making two plates instead of just one. 1
Daverde Posted Friday at 05:53 PM Posted Friday at 05:53 PM I love Pontiac sprints!!!beutiful Pontiac! 1
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