mrmike Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 This kit has been in the stash for a while and I have been wanting to build something different. I have always admired the Riviera, especially the GS model. The long flowing lines of the body, the beautiful leather interior, and the optional Chrome Plated Road Wheels. My paint will be Tamiya TS-42 Light Gun Metal with a semi-gloss black interior. More to come.....
Bernard J. Froomer Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 I think your choice of color is spot on for this particular body style. I am doing something similar with an original 1970 Dodge Charger R/T buildup. Yesterday it was sprayed with Tamiya TS-42 Light Gun Metal and then clear coated today with two coats of TS-13 (Tamiya paint lays down great). And like your build, the Chargers interior will be multi-toned black. Looking forward to seeing your build as I've also thought about building this Buick for awhile now. Just wish the '65 Riviera was as detailed a kit as the '66....... its body style is even nicer.
Avgwarhawk Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 Yes, the goldish brown color was popular in the days this one was manufactured. My dad's Oldsmobile was this color.
mrmike Posted February 7, 2011 Author Posted February 7, 2011 I think your choice of color is spot on for this particular body style. I am doing something similar with an original 1970 Dodge Charger R/T buildup. Yesterday it was sprayed with Tamiya TS-42 Light Gun Metal and then clear coated today with two coats of TS-13 (Tamiya paint lays down great). And like your build, the Chargers interior will be multi-toned black. Looking forward to seeing your build as I've also thought about building this Buick for awhile now. Just wish the '65 Riviera was as detailed a kit as the '66....... its body style is even nicer. Thanks! I built a '68 Charger R/T with the same Tamiya paint. As beautiful as the '66 Riv is, 1966 also marked the beginning change from a "Gentlman's Muscle Car" to a personal luxury car as the Riv started growing in size and weight. By 1972, horsepower was down to 210 HP net.
Kanedge Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 Me too, I like the these cars, interested to see how it turns out.
mrmike Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 Keep watching, Kane! I had a brainstorm while working with the kit tires this morning. I decided to run the tip of a Sharpie around the inner edge of the whitewall insert. And, what a difference in the appearance of the tire as it now looks like a regular whitewall tire. The engine is assembled and heading for the paintbooth. And now wearing a coat of Tamiya Orange paint. More to come.....
mrmike Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 A coat of primer brought out a sinkmark in the left front fender. So out came the Bondo Glazing And Spot Putty. While that was drying, I went and painted the hood. When the sinkhole was filled to my satisfaction, I primered the body again and found no other flaws, so I waited a while and then painted the body with one coat of Tamiya Light Gun Metal paint. More to come.....
oldscool Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 Nice engine and that narrow whitewall looks great. grumpy gus
shatteredsoul76 Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 Man that color looks great on all them body lines and that was a good call on the tires. The smaller whitewall looks a lot better, the big whitewalls remind too much of the cars from the '50's. Cant wait to see this one come together, keep up the good work.
Nick Winter Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 Looks good Mike, whitewalls are a neat Idea. Nick
mrmike Posted February 9, 2011 Author Posted February 9, 2011 Thank you guys! Sometimes, I do get a good idea! I was going to make my own whitewalls on the opposite side of the tire, but the tire doesn't have the detail as the insert side does. Then, I thought about using a Sharpie! This also appears to be one of my better paint jobs, too!
charlie8575 Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 That'll be a nice-looking car, Mike. Charlie Larkin
mrmike Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 That is my goal Charlie! The more I work on this Riviera, the more jazzed I get about it. This mess is all the extra parts and pieces painted either matt black or semi-gloss black. Some assemble has been done on the Super Wildcat engine. A light polishing revealed a nice gloss. No clearcoat here, all paint! More to come.....
charlie8575 Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Very nice, Mike. I love first and second-generation Rivieras. I have a '65 that'll replicate a nice one I saw, which was Bamboo Cream (light, soft yellow) with a green interior (it looked really good!,) and was one of I believe the owner said 140 produced in that color combination. I'm still deciding on the scheme for my '66. I'm leaning towards Riviera Red (dark metallic red,) with a dove or black interior. As a Buick guy, I'll enjoy watching this most especially. Charlie Larkin
oldscool Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 This is looking better all the time . grumpy gus
mrmike Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 Thanks Charlie, Gus, and Dr. Cranky! I had realized that the wheels wobbled a bit after assembly. The wheel issue can be addressed by shortening the wheel retainer until the wheel back seats against the rear axle as tight as possible. The front wheels are a different story altogether. Due to the spindle design, the wheel wobbles since it has nothing sturdy to seat itself against. My solution was to cut two squares of sheet styrene 6mm x 6mm. Drill a hole in the center and slip it over the spindle and glue it in place. The end result is the wheel back now has something to seat itself against. More to come.....
Plasticfanatic Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Ah...the Riviera, I like very much this car, the low roof line flowing lines and wide look make it in my personal opinion a stunner. Hope some day to build one of these. You model looks terrific and the color choice is perfect, can't wait to see this one finished.
mrmike Posted February 12, 2011 Author Posted February 12, 2011 Thank you Fred! The engine is done. The wheels have been assembled to the tires. I have been foiling the interior componants this afternoon. This was tedious work! More to come.....
mrmike Posted February 12, 2011 Author Posted February 12, 2011 Thanks Ian! Progress for today before I head off to my monthly Classic Plastic Model Club meeting. I have completed the interior. With the firewall installed. The engine installed in the chassis with the interior mounted. More to come.....
mrmike Posted February 14, 2011 Author Posted February 14, 2011 I got in some quality time this afternoon at the bench. I finished up the interior and chassis. The body is foiled. More to come.....
made007 Posted February 14, 2011 Posted February 14, 2011 very clean build so far, i like the undercarriage
mrmike Posted February 16, 2011 Author Posted February 16, 2011 My '66 Riviera GS is completed and posted in Under Glass. I would like to thank all those who took the time to view and to comment on this WIP!
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