'64 Riviera winner

[Rob Hall]

You guys are killing me with this. It is OK to butcher a classic Mercury or a classic 30's Ford but touch a 64 Riv and the gloves come off?

I don't like custom Mercs either..if it's not stock (original or restored), I'm not interested...I find customs tasteless and a pointless waste of time.

Edited March 14, 2014 by Rob Hall

[Agent G]

No

G

[Joe Handley]

Now this is what I think lf when I hear Custom Riviera"thumbsup"

Or even most of these"thumbsup"

custom '64 Riviera - Google Search

[Agent G]

Now this is what I think lf when I hear Custom Riviera"thumbsup"

Or even most of these"thumbsup"

custom '64 Riviera - Google Search

Yes

G

[ChrisBcritter]

Just please tell me he didn't start with a cherry low mileage original Rivi! The only change I could see making to that design would be curved side glass and roof pillars (GM was a bit late to the party there; the Riviera didn't have that until '66).

[Teddy J. Tannehill]

Thanks for ..posting the pics. Mike...I enjoyed looking....Some how I think this body style of the Riviera evokes a lot of emotion from GM guys...For me it is the "Boat Tail" and the "Styling Queues" that carried over to the 'Vette. I like looking at "Kustoms" and man what a "Yellow Paint Job"....I am a little more "Old School" so for me the "Jury is still out"....Fascinating how the rear end of a car can effect a guy.

[Joe Handley]

Yeah, that car doesn't really tick the "Hate to see it go, but love to watch it leave." box for me.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Exquisite workmanship and finish? Sure.

Good looking, coherent design? No. Nope. Unh unh.

Great engineering? Questionable. Engineering has to do with FUNCTION, not hanging a bunch of shiny stuff wherever it happens to fit easily.

Turbos in the back seat? Why? It's not like the engine bay is small on an old Riv, and last time I looked, placing turbos close the the engine for good throttle response was still the preferred setup.

...I, personally, am in to TASTEFUL restylings...I propose that it takes a real artist .. to put... pieces... together in an eye-pleasing fashion.

Yup.

Kinda reminds me of some of the custom "improvements" made to the Loewy Studebakers and the '55-57 T-birds. I don't really get the point of taking a beautiful, perfect-as-it-is car and making it into a hacked-up, disjointed pig. Of course, there's folks who like big ol' rubber 44DD implants too.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[om617]

I`m sure the workmanship and finish is excellent,but as we all know,taste is subjective,and as for me,i think it look horrible.

[John Goschke]

The mark of a truly great custom is one that improves and refines the original factory design while offering a new insight or unique approach to that design, this car does not do that. The basic profile is quite good, but many of the styling touches should have been edited out in design process, particularly one or both of the unrelated inlets/outlet on the side.

That said, it is a masterpiece compared to the infamous "Thunderflite!"

The rear, where '62 Impala meets Plymouth Duster meets Riviera...

[Deano]

That said, it is a masterpiece compared to the infamous "Thunderflite!"

What is that they say about "faint praise"? While the comparison may be valid that still doesn't make it good.

[Quick GMC]

I don't like this car at all, it doesn't appeal to me in any way. With that being said, I have tremendous respect for the talent and work that went into creating this. It is very well done.

[Joe Handley]

Even though it could have been a bit better, I though the Thunderflite was overall better looking effort than this Riv.

[tbill]

well, I guess since the merc's, '32 fords and 69 Camaro's have been done to death, it was time for a body style change. as mentioned, the execution of jamming all the parts together must be top notch fit and finish wise, but the total design does leave one wondering if that night in tiawanna [sp?] went on a bit too long.

[Ace-Garageguy]

well, I guess since the merc's, '32 fords and 69 Camaro's have been done to death, it was time for a body style change.

There have been a few others. This one is absolutely spectacular both designwise, and from an engineering standpoint. It still respects the beauty of the original inspiration, too.

Then there was the 2011 winner, "Suncammer", another tastefully done, very well engineered car...

Edited March 19, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy